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This portrait of Saint Brother André is part of Modern Saints by Gracie Morbitzer. We are honoured to feature her inspiring contemporary depiction of saints in our school chapel, a space dedicated to prayer, reflection, and the spiritual life of our students. Her work reminds us that holiness is not distant or unattainable—it is lived in small acts of love, prayer, and service. Click here to explore her website.
St. Brother André
A Friend. A Brother. A Saint.
St. Brother André
A Friend. A Brother. A Saint.
Saint Brother André, born Alfred Bessette on August 9, 1845, in Saint-Grégoire d’Iberville, Quebec, is one of the most cherished figures in Canadian Catholic history. The eighth of twelve children in a humble, devout family, Alfred endured great hardship from an early age. His father died in a logging accident when Alfred was just nine, and his mother passed away from tuberculosis three years later, leaving him orphaned at the age of twelve.
Physically frail and often in poor health, Alfred attempted a variety of trades—including shoemaking, baking, blacksmithing, and textile work in both Quebec and the United States—but was unable to keep steady employment. Despite his challenges, he remained filled with profound faith and a deep devotion to Saint Joseph, whom he came to see as a personal protector and role model.
In 1870, he returned to Canada and was accepted into the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal, largely thanks to the support of Father André Provençal, who famously wrote to the religious community, “I am sending you a saint.” Alfred took the name Brother André in honour of his mentor. Though unable to read or write and limited in physical strength, his piety, humility, and life of prayer led his superiors to accept him into the religious life.
For the next 40 years, Brother André served as porter at Collège Notre-Dame, faithfully performing humble tasks—welcoming guests, running errands, cleaning, and caring for the chapel. Yet his ministry extended far beyond his assigned duties. He spent his free time visiting the sick, praying with them, and encouraging devotion to Saint Joseph. Reports of miraculous healings began to circulate, and more and more people came to the college seeking his prayers. As the crowds grew, Brother André was given permission to place a statue of Saint Joseph on nearby Mount Royal.
In 1904, with donations and the small fees he earned from giving haircuts, Brother André built a small wooden chapel on the mountain. As word spread, pilgrims arrived in growing numbers. The chapel was enlarged in 1908, and a larger stone crypt church followed in 1917. Eventually, construction of the Basilica of Saint Joseph’s Oratory began in 1924. Though Brother André would not live to see its completion, his dream had taken root. The basilica was completed in 1967 and today welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world each year.
Brother André died on January 6, 1937, at the age of 91. Over a million people came to pay their respects. He was beatified in 1982 by Pope Saint John Paul II, and on October 17, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI canonized him, officially declaring him Saint Brother André, Canada’s first male saint. In Canada, the feast day of St. Brother André is celebrated each year on January 7.
The Spirituality and Legacy of St. Brother André
The Spirituality and Legacy of St. Brother André
Brother André was, above all, a man of deep prayer. He often spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament, praying for those who asked for his help. He saw the suffering Christ in every sick and struggling person he met, and he carried their pain in his heart. His ministry was rooted in compassion, simplicity, and complete trust in God. He would often insist, “I don’t heal. It is Saint Joseph!”
Despite his growing fame, Brother André remained humble and approachable. He remembered names, shared laughter, and showed great empathy. His warmth and humanity drew people to him, not only for healing but for hope. His deep love for the poor, the sick, and the brokenhearted reflected the very heart of the Gospel.
On his deathbed, Brother André whispered:
“God is good! How beautiful and powerful he is! He must be beautiful, because the human soul, which is a reflection of God’s beauty, is so beautiful.”
- St. Brother André
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