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It’s party time at the Oratory! It’s already been 10 years since Brother André was canonized. What cherished memories and what an awareness of the extraordinary heritage that Saint Brother André left us when reading the many testimonies even now received from all over. Brother André is still alive and close. All his friends are celebrating.
Canonization of Brother André, October 2010. Photo credit: Charles McBride
“Brother André has died leaving behind a reputation of saintliness,” wrote Father Albert Cousineau, CSC in 1949, during the beatification process. “I’ve heard a huge number of the faithful speak highly of the holiness of Brother André: priests, religious, bishops, professionals, workers, whether from Canada or from different parts of the United States, from France, Italy, England, South America, Egypt, Palestine, and India.” And since that time the list has only grown longer.
Everyone who approached him recognized in him a man of God, a remarkable man of prayer. Despite the many overwhelming concerns, God was always foremost in his soul. Completely at God’s service, he was chosen by God, like Joseph, to do extraordinary things. In the days after his death, people filed day and night past his bier. Day and night, five priests were needed for those faithful who wanted to welcome within themselves the sign of the Father’s mercy and love in the Sacrament of Forgiveness. And so, Brother André was still at work. When you came into contact with him, the love of God broke in, exerted a pull; for each one he became the breath of life, the strength of God. Even today, his presence comforts us, heals our wounds and fills us with peace and hope.
The song written by Robert Lebel, and dedicated to Brother André, reminds us: “Simple, poor, humble Brother André… You were the one for whom no barrier could hide the great beyond… For you, there was but a veil of prayer between God and your faith, between a son and a Father… Up high on the mountain, unendingly your faith guides us.”
Jean-Pierre Aumont, CSC
It is recounted that during his expedition to the Hurons in 1615, Samuel de Champlain was accompanied by the Franciscan Recollet, Father Joseph Le Caron, who celebrated the first mass in Huron country on August 12, 1615 and named this first mission, at Quienonascaran, after Saint Joseph. In 1624 (around July 16 through August 15), Father Le Caron entrusted this new colony to the care of Saint Joseph as he wrote in his memoirs: “Sixteen hundred and twenty-four, we made a great solemnity…, by a vow we made to Saint Joseph whom we chose as the patron saint of the country and protector of this nascent Church.” (Annales de Saint Joseph, 13ème Année, Janvier 1924, p. 11).
Brother André, a listening heart. A man of prayer and great simplicity, he embodied John the Baptist’s words to Jesus: “He must increase but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). His reputation as a miracle worker and saint spread quickly. Yet the humble religious man never even sought recognition, let alone glory. He never stopped calling himself “the instrument of Saint Joseph,” his companion in spiritual life.
Hope cannot be taken for granted. It’s easier to despair, to let ourselves fall into sadness or weariness. How many are discouraged? Consciously or not, we sometimes forget Hope and wonder: “What’s the point? What’s the point in going on?”