Br. Keith Andre, MIC

Marian Scholasticate, Washington D.C.

First Vows: 8/15/2003
Final Vows: 9/5/2014

Do you have a devotion to particular Saints? 
St. Benedict Joseph Labre (1748–1783). He led me here in a way. I pray to him for his intercessions. Of course, Holy Father St. Joseph and Mother Mary, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. 

Do you have a favorite story from your ministry? 
I have an ongoing ministry of sorts with a fellow in Steubenville, Ohio, named David, who once wanted to be a Marian. He's very religious, but needed help in day-to-day things. I’d cook meals for him and we’d pray the Rosary together. Now that I’m in Washington D.C., we catch up on the phone. He’s been a very special ministry for me, and it’s been almost 15 years.  

Favorite quote from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska? 
There’s a part near the beginning of the Diary that speaks to me about the mercy of God. When I feel inspired, I pick it up:

O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in Your Passion, O Lord, and place its hope in Your mercy. You will not deny Your mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but Your mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages. (Diary, 72). 

Favorite prayer to Our Lady?
The Rosary. It is the most significant, most important prayer any of us can pray. It's obvious that the Rosary can save us and save the world. More people need to pray the Rosary and learn about it.

I’ve always held that the Blessed Mother gave us the answer: Jesus. Pray the Rosary. You get healing, you get peace in the world, in our Church, in our families, in our nation. That simple little prayer. Sometimes people complain, “Why do you keep saying it over and over again?” Because we love Mary. Every time we pray a Hail Mary, it’s like we’re giving her a little rose.

It doesn’t negate Holy Hours. If we give the Lord, in the Sacrament, a gift of the Rosary, think about how much He enjoys that and wants that for us. It's something of His mother’s that we can give back to Him for peace, healings, and comfort.

More on Br. Keith:
(More Than) A Few Good Men 
One Hundred Years of Gratitude 
An Injection of Youth