January 6 | Saint Andre Bessette

Born: August 9, 1845, Quebec

Died: January 6, 1937

Nationality: Canadian

Vocation: Congregation of the Holy Cross 

Attributes: Black cassock, St. Joseph, oil

Patronage: family caregivers

Canonization: On October 17, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI

Alfred Bessette was the eighth of twelve children, who all became orphans when Andre was 12. He was adopted and tried several trades, blacksmith, shoemaker, baker, all of which without much success. He struggled with his health, and eventually wound up working in a factory in the United States during the boom of the American Civil War. 

After returning to Quebec, his parish priest recommended that the already holy young man, who had a great devotion to St. Joseph, discern a religious vocation. He sent Alfred to the Congregation of the Holy Cross with a note: “I am sending you a saint.” The congregation rejected Alfred at first due to his health issues. He was not discouraged however, and with the help of the Archbishop of Montreal, entered the order at 25. He took the name Andre - in honor of his childhood pastor.

One of the “doorkeeper” saints, Andre was charged with greeting, guiding, and giving alms to the people who entered the front door of Notre Dame college in Montreal. He worked as a sacristan, laundry worker and messenger as well. “When I joined this community, the superiors showed me the door, and I remained 40 years,” he said. He spent much of his time in the gatehouse on his knees with his little statue of St. Joseph. Soon, his prayers began to cause miracles in the people he prayed for and Brother Andre became known far and wide. He would often place oil from the lamp in the college chapel on their ailments which would be miraculously healed. He cited St. Joseph as the source of these miraculous healings.

This desire to increase devotion to St. Joseph inspired the construction of St. Joseph’s Oratory, a site which draws pilgrims and witnesses miracles every day. It took 40 years and several of its own miracles to build. Andre died at the age of 91 with the title “the Miracle Man of Montreal.”

Saint Andre Bessette, pray for us!