Brother Andre Bessette
Feast Day: January 6

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Brother Andre had a difficult time holding a job. But he never gave up working for God.

In 1870, Alfred Bessette was 25 years old. He went to the Holy Cross Brothers with a note from his pastor. The note read, “I am sending you a saint.”

Alfred was a sick man, and soon the Holy Cross Brothers leaned how little Alfred could work. At first the brothers asked Alfred to leave. But Alfred was very devoted to God and St. Joseph. So, Alfred took his vows and became Brother Andre. Then Brother Andre went to work at Notre Dame College in Montreal.

In 1904, Brother Andre asked the Archbishop of Montreal if he could build a chapel to St. Joseph. The Archbishop told Brother Andre that he could build the chapel, but he would have to pay for it himself.

Over many years, Brother Andre built a small chapel. People came to see Brother Andre and the statue of St. Joseph. Brother Andre was kind and caring to the people. Some of the visitors experienced renewal and healing. Brother Andre thanked St. Joseph for healing the people.

Brother Andre’s devotion to St. Joseph continued. He decided to build a basilica. However, the basilica was not finished by the time Brother Andre died at age ninety.