- Note to the superior of the Holy Cross congregation from Bessette's pastor
On this day in 1982, Andrew Bessette was beatified by Pope John Paul II. He became the first Holy Cross religious to become a saint when he was canonized nearly 30 years later in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Alfred Bessette was born in 1845 in a small village southeast of Montreal, Quebec. After his father died in a work accident and his mother died of tuberculosis, the orphaned 12-year-old was adopted by his uncle.
As a young man, Alfred worked as a farmer, shoemaker, baker, blacksmith and factory hand. At age 25, he tried to enter the Congregation of Holy Cross, but was refused due to poor health. The bishop of Montreal intervened and Alfred was allowed to join as a lay brother in 1870. He took the name Andrew.
Assigned to Notre Dame college, located on Mount Royal in Montreal, Brother Andre worked as a doorkeeper, sacristan and messenger, and in the laundry.
He was devoted to St. Joseph and pledged that someday "St. Joseph will be honored on Mount Royal." Many people visited him at Notre Dame because of his gift of healing through the intercession of St. Joseph.
When the Holy Cross Congregation tried unsuccessfully to purchase land on Mount Royal, Brother Andrew allegedly planted St. Joseph medals around the desired land, hoping the saint would intercede on their behalf. St. Joseph did. The land went up for sale, and the congregation purchased the property which would become St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.
Brother Andre died in 1937 at age 92.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw