It's with great joy for the Congregation of Holy Cross that we celebrate the sainthood of Brother André Bessette, C.S.C. His canonization takes place October 17, when Pope Benedict XVI elevates this humble porter from Montreal, Quebec, Canada to the ranks of saint of our Church. He is the first member of the Holy Cross order to be canonized.
André, my brother…
You knew how to pray…
in the midst of your tasks, in the quiet of the night,
deep in your solitude, or surrounded by friends.
Teach me the words that nourish my soul.
You knew how to welcome…
the rich and the powerful,
the poor and the miserable,
the scholar, and the illiterate,
especially the simple, often the wounded.
Teach me to love them all without exception.
You knew how to suffer…
to hope in the future,
without complaint, without fear,
to stand firm, to face life.
Teach me the meaning of suffering in silence.
You knew how to live…
for the God whom you served,
for his Son and for his father and mother;
to save what is lost, to free what is shackled.
Teach me to hope in God and his universe.
Dubuc, Jean Guy. Brother André: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria, 2010.
It's with great joy for the Congregation of Holy Cross that we celebrate the sainthood of Brother André Bessette, C.S.C. His canonization takes place October 17, when Pope Benedict XVI elevates this humble porter from Montreal, Quebec, Canada to the ranks of saint of our Church. He is the first member of the Holy Cross order to be canonized.
André, my brother…
You knew how to pray…
in the midst of your tasks, in the quiet of the night,
deep in your solitude, or surrounded by friends.
Teach me the words that nourish my soul.
You knew how to welcome…
the rich and the powerful,
the poor and the miserable,
the scholar, and the illiterate,
especially the simple, often the wounded.
Teach me to love them all without exception.
You knew how to suffer…
to hope in the future,
without complaint, without fear,
to stand firm, to face life.
Teach me the meaning of suffering in silence.
You knew how to live…
for the God whom you served,
for his Son and for his father and mother;
to save what is lost, to free what is shackled.
Teach me to hope in God and his universe.
Dubuc, Jean Guy. Brother André: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph. Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria, 2010.