Healing Garden

In 2014, only 8 years ago, the Healing Garden was dedicated. A committee of parishioners wanted to create an area for quiet prayer. St. André’s dream for the Oratory in Montreal started with a prayer and a medal.  This garden in honour of St. André started the same way. People gathered for prayer and a medal was buried beneath the cross when construction began. It is hoped that all who visit this garden experience healing, love and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ on this holy ground where Brother André himself came for prayer and worship.

Birch trees were later planted as a reminder of the first French settlers who named their parish Pointe aux Bouleaux which means Birch Point.  The wooden cross was made by parishioners and with the extra wood they carved hundreds of little crosses for people to take and pray to Brother André and St. Joseph.

Brother André had a large impact on the people who lived here (some of our grandparents or great-grand parents). In almost every house there was a plaque hung of Brother André kneeling in front of St. Joseph.  Also, many people used and continue to use St. Joseph oil. This oil comes from the Oratory in Montreal and is drawn from a large font of oil where an eternal flame burns at the foot of a St. Joseph statue in the Oratory, the same font in front of the same statue that Brother Andre oil drew from when he used it to heal many people.

Alfred Bessette, better know as St. Brother André, is the first Canadian born male saint and we in this area are very honoured to know that he visited here. He is a “saint that walked among our grandparents”. That is truly an honour for all who live here.

For people in this area St. André inspired a deep and lasting love of Jesus Christ through the intercession of St. Joseph.

Saint Brother André, I come to you in prayer for healing. You were no stranger to illness. Plagued by stomach problems, you knew suffering on a daily basis, but you never lost faith in God. Thousands of people have sought your healing touch as I do today. Pray that I might be restored to health in body, soul, and mind. With St. Joseph as my loving protector, strengthen my faith and give me peace that I might accept God’s will for me no matter the outcome. Amen

Sign displayed in the Healing Garden