At the time of Brother André’s death, the Archbishop of Montreal, George Gauthier, suggested reviving of a little known custom of the Middle Ages. In medieval France and Italy, when people of note passed away their hearts were often removed from their bodies before burial and preserved as a token of admiration or recognition. The hearts of the kings of France were long preserved in this way. It was therefore decided to preserve Brother André’s heart in a reliquary at the Oratory where it remains as a sign of his continuing spiritual presence among us.

During the night of March 15, 1973, someone removed the reliquary containing the heart of Brother André from its shrine. Eventually, it was discovered in the basement of a home in South Montreal on December 21^st, 1974, based on a tip received by the police. It was put back on display with the addition of a security system,  so that it could continue to serve as an object of contemplation for pilgrims. In this way, we remain close to Brother André's heart, both literally and figuratively. The reliquary is in the museum that portrays scenes from Brother André's life.

Exhibition on the life and work of Brother André

An exhibition on the life and work of Brother André is located near the relic of Brother André's heart, adjacent to the Joseph Olivier Pichette Hall.