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Historical records matching Saint Alfred Bessette, Brother André, C.H.C.
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About Saint Alfred Bessette, Brother André, C.H.C.
Roman Catholic Saint. Born in Saint-Grégoire d'Iberville, Quebec (then Canada East), a small town situated 40 kilometers east of Montreal, he was from a working class family When he was orphaned at age twelve. He was sent to live with his mother's sister, who attempted to establish Alfred in various trades, but the boy's fragile health (which would afflict him throughout his life), made sustained manual labor difficult. From his earliest days, Alfred exhibited an unusually intense spirituality. He would often spend his scant free time praying before a Crucifix or evangelizing his friends, and his many self-imposed penances drew the admiring rebuke of his gentle aunt, who was concerned that the boy was endangering his already poor health. When Alfred was twenty years old, he joined many Canadians who were emigrating to the United States to work in the mills of New England. When, in 1867, the new Canadian Confederation was formed, he returned to his native country. He was given the task of doorkeeper at Notre Dame College in Côte-des-Neiges, Quebec. He fulfilled this function for some 40 years while at the same time doing innumerable odd jobs for the Community. The Pastor of his Parish, Fr. André Provençal, noticed the devotion and generosity of the young man. He decided to present Alfred to the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal, writing a note to the Superior, "I'm sending you a Saint." Although initially rejected by the order because of his frail health, Archbishop Ignace Bourget of Montreal intervened on his behalf, and in 1872, Alfred was accepted, made his Temporary Vows, and became known as Brother André. He made his Final Vows on 2 February 1874, at the age of 28. Brother André's great confidence in Saint Joseph inspired him to recommend this saint's devotion to all those who were afflicted in various ways. Many claimed that they were cured through the prayers of Brother André and St. Joseph, and they were grateful that their prayers had been heard. Brother André steadfastly refused to take any credit for these cures, and although usually a gentle man, he was known to become enraged at those who suggested that he possessed any healing powers. Because he wanted Saint Joseph to be honoured, in 1904, Brother André began the construction of a small chapel on the side of Mount Royal, facing the College. The reputation of Brother André grew and soon he was known as the miracle - worker of Mount Royal. He had to face the attacks and the criticism of numerous adversaries. He had the strong support, however, of the diocesan Church, and thousands of cures without apparent medical explanation made him the object of popular acclaim. In 1924, construction of Saint Joseph's Oratory began on the side of the mountain, near Brother André's Chapel. The funding for what would become the largest Church outside of Rome came from Brother André's supporters from around the world. When Brother André died, a million people filed before his open coffin. His heart is preserved in a monstrance in the Oratory. It was stolen in March 1973, but recovered in December 1974. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 23, 1982. The miracle cited in the beatification was the healing in 1958, of Giuseppe Carlo Audino, who suffered from cancer. On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI, promulgated a Decree recognizing a second miracle through Blessed André's intercession. On February 19, 2010, the named Pope, announced Sainthood for Blessed André, with formal canonization taking place on Sunday, October 17, 2010.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 8 2022, 4:32:22 UTC
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Saint Alfred Bessette, Brother André, C.H.C.'s Timeline
| 1845 |
August 9, 1845
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Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Le Haut-Richelieu, Québec, Canada
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| 1937 |
January 6, 1937
Age 91
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Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérance, Saint-Laurent, Québec, Canada
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| ???? |
Basilique Saint-Joseph, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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