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Brother André founded Saint Joseph's Oratory.
He is its soul; it is he who gives inspiration and meaning to this legacy which elicits such enthousiam here in Canada, and increasingly around the world.
The story of the shrine is still being written and it is our great pleasure to be its authors and eyewitnesses.
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Medical Commission - February 26, 2009
A Crucial Stage is Completed in the cause for Brother André's canonization: a favorable decision
The Vatican’s Medical Commission (which has the responsibility for studying the case of a cure attributed to the intercession of Brother Andre) has just rendered a favorable decision. Father Mario Lachapelle, CSC, Vice-Postulator for the cause, released the news on February 26, 2009 from his post in Rome. “According to the unanimous opinion of medical specialists, the cure is scientifically unexplainable,” he said.
The cause now moves to the Theological Commission, the second of the three working on the case. One of the responsibilities of the commission is to be satisfied that the healing can be attributed solely to the intercession of Brother Andre. Should their judgment also be favorable, the case will be sent on to a commission composed of archbishops and cardinals who will decide, among other things, the benefit of extending devotion to Brother Andre to the entire Church. After the three commissions have promulgated their approvals, his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will make the final decision concerning the canonization.
The rector of Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Father Claude Grou, CSC, joyfully declared, “We can truly rejoice at this news, which demonstrates yet again the remarkable role of Brother Andre in our Church and our society.”
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Prayer for the Canonization of Brother André
Lord, you have chosen Blessed Brother André
to spread devotion to Saint Joseph
and to dedicate himself to all those who are afflicted.
Grant through his intercession the favour that we now request…
We also pray that the Church may canonize
him as soon as possible. Grant us the
grace to imitate his piety and charity so that,
with him, we may share the reward
promised to all who care for their
neighbours out of love for You.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen.
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Brother André
Photo: Archives of Saint Joseph's Oratory |
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Did you know...?
- Father Emile Deguire, CSC was the first postulator for the cause of the beatification and canonization of Brother Andre, CSC. Father Albert Cousineau, CSC, superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross, assigned him to that position on October 26, 1940.
- He was so confident of the miracle submitted for examination in 1952, that Father Deguire, by now Rector of Saint Joseph's Oratory, confided to Prime Minister Maurice Duplessis his hope that Brother Andre would be beatified during 1954, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Oratory. His patience certainly must have been tested because the beatification did not take place until 30 years later, May 23, 1982!
- In 1969, Father Edward Heston, CSC, who had been the postulator for the cause, was assigned to another ministry. Father Marcel Lalonde, CSC, the Oratory's Rector, wrote to the superior general of the Congregation, "People are getting impatient with the protracted re-examination of the already completed studies...." It was in February 1970 that a new postulator was announced for the causes of Brother Andre and Father Basile Moreau, the founder of the Congregation. However, it would take more than four years before Father Angelo Mitri, OMI would come from Rome to visit the Oratory.
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Main Steps in the Cause for canonization
January 6, 1937: Death of Brother André, CSC
November 7, 1940: Institution of a tribunal by His Grace Joseph Charbonneau Archbishop of Montréal.
1940 to 1978: Proceeding regardind the writings of Brother André, his pratice of virtues and miracles.
June 12, 1978: Pope Paul VI declares the Servant of God, Brother André, ''Venerable''.
May 23, 1982: Pope John Paul II beatifies Brother André in Saint Peter's Square in Rome.
February 2005: Diocesan investigation regarding a cure attributed to Blessed Brother André.
March 2008: The Congregation for the Causes of Saints mandates a medical commission to study this cure.
February 2009: The medical commission gives its verdict: the healing submitted for examination is scientifically unexplainable. |
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Pray with Brother André
at Saint Joseph's Oratory
A brand-new leaflet is available from several information kiosks on the site, from the Office of Information and Blessings, and from Visitor and Pilgrim Services. The leaflet, Pray with Brother André at Saint Joseph's Oratory, invites you to join your prayers with those of the founder og the shrine. We invite you to follow Brother André as your guide on a pilgrimage to the heart of Saint Joseph's Oratory and now ever closer to the Holy Family.
Ask for it during your next visit!
Available on line, click here (PDF) |
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Texts
A Scientifically Unexplainable Healing, Interview conducted by Nathalie Dumas, THE ORATORY, May - June 2009, Vol. 83, No. 3, p. 7-10
Dumas, Nathalie, The Cause for Canonization of Brother André. A Well-Guarded Secret, THE ORATORY, September - October 2008, Vol. 82, No. 5, p. 7-9.
Lafrenière, Bernard, Brother André: Steps to Canonization, THE ORATORY, September-October 2008, Vol. 82, No. 5, p. 10-12
Questions and Answers about the Cause
Excerpts from an interview with Bernard Lafrenière, CSC, vice-postulator for the cause of Brother Andre (1975 to 1994); published in L'Oratoire magazine in the issue of September-October 1994, pages 20-21.
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