The Miracle Man of Montreal: St. André Bessette

January 6 is the feast day of St. André Bessette (1845-1937). Born in Quebec, Canada, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross as a Brother. He performed humble tasks for over 40 years and entrusted all of the poor and sick who flocked to his cell to the care of St. Joseph. During his life he built a chapel, which after his death grew into the great basilica known as St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal.

Saint André Bessette is one of the saints and blesseds featured in The Saint I Knew! Exciting "Encounters" with Holiness by Kevin Wilson, published by Marian Press. Historical fiction at its best, the book places the reader in the life of a man or woman before they were saints, such as Carlo Acutis and Mother Teresa, as a reminder that we are all called to be saints. A great gift for a young man or woman preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation!

Here's an excerpt from the story about St. André. Joseph is an orphan and apprentice carpenter who, at his lowest point, encounters the real-life Brother André — and his life is transformed. 

From The Saint I Knew! Exciting "Encounters" with Holiness:

... After stowing away my belongings, it’s time to explore these new surroundings. I spot a long line of people waiting patiently outside a campus building. Perhaps some of those waiting may require carpentry work.

Evening settles, and the line moves slowly inside. Through the dimly-lit surroundings, I can tell they are older, with a few younger women holding a baby or accompanied by a toddler. Curiosity absorbs my interest, and, while standing in line, I eavesdrop on several conversations.

“This is my second time. Since using the oil, my headaches have gone away.”

“The oil is amazing. No doctors were able to help me. After placing a couple of drops on my hands, my arthritis pain vanished. Praise God and his servant, Br. André!”

Brother André.

“Brother André renewed my faith in God. My son Pierre was born with chronic asthma, and, by rubbing this oil daily on his chest, he no longer has breathing attacks and is able to serve on the altar. He has had a calling to the priesthood.”

"The oil appears to continuously flow from a lamp placed in front of the statue of St. Joseph. I don’t know. Brother André never runs out of oil?"

“We’re blessed to have Br. André, the Miracle Man of Montreal and Notre Dame College, in our midst!”

Hmm, this was not the first time these people were here with their stories of a miracle worker and free-flowing, pain-vanishing oil. That’s some statue. This I must see. I wonder if the mom I helped this afternoon has visited here?

I approach the building egress and gaze across a dark hall into a rectangular room full of burning candles illuminating statues and relics skillfully positioned throughout.

The line ends with a diminutive man standing in front of a small table. He holds a bottle, and with a kind smile he gently transfers the container into the recipient’s hands. There is no sense of urgency as he quietly converses. Some guests cry and then hold his hand, causing him to point to a statue of a bearded man holding a flower or a sword; I cannot tell which. Now only several visitors away, I can hear Br. André talking.

An elderly man says, “Brother André, God bless you for what you’ve done. My back pain is gone, and I’m not bedridden any longer.”

Brother André replies, “Saint Joseph will never let you down. He’s the reason you are healed. Continue praying to his foster Son, Jesus, and Mother Mary. Recite the Rosary and attend daily Mass.”

A crying younger woman touches her stomach. “I’ve been told by physicians that I’m unable to conceive a child, but after using St. Joseph’s oil for a month I’m now expecting.” She tries to genuflect, but Br. André quickly holds her arm, saying, “Please, no need for kneeling. Give your praise to St. Joseph and pray to Mother Mary that you’ll handle motherhood as wonderfully as she did. God bless you, my child, and your baby.”

What is going on? What have I walked into? I need to leave this lovely surrounding. This is too much and not what I am used to. Laughing to myself, I think, I’ll ask St. Joseph to bring me a family. ...


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