Frère André - Brother André - Montréal, Québec
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Weathervane
N 45° 29.438 W 073° 37.025
18T E 608060 N 5038385
Cette statue du Frère André est située sur le terrain de l'Oratoire Saint-Joseph, à Montréal. This statue of Brother André is located on the grounds of the St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal.
Waymark Code: WM13ZGH
Location: Québec, Canada
Date Posted: 03/19/2021
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Alfouine
Views: 6

Né à Mont-Saint-Grégoire, le 9 août 1845, Alfred Bessette ( Frère André )le fils d'Isaac Bessette, menuisier, charpentier, tonnelier et charron, et de Clothilde Foisy.

Orphelin à l'âge de douze ans, Bessette est recueilli par sa famille à Saint-Césaire. Il y occupe divers métiers avant de partir pour les États-Unis, en 1863. Il travaille dans des usines au Massachusetts, au Connecticut et au Rhode Island. Il revient au Canada en 1867 et est engagé par le curé de Farnham en 1867 et 1868. Sa piété est remarquée par un proche qui le recommande au curé de Saint-Césaire.

En 1870, Bessette, entre au collège Notre-Dame, à Côte-des-Neiges. Il fait son noviciat auprès des Frères de Sainte-Croix. Il devient frère le 27 décembre 1870 et prend le nom de frère André. Il fait sa profession perpétuelle quatre ans plus tard.

De 1870 à 1909, il est portier du collège Notre-Dame. Il voue une dévotion particulière à saint Joseph. Plusieurs malades le visitent au collège Notre-Dame et affirment être guéris grâce à ses prières. Peu à peu, il accueille ses visiteurs au parc Saint-Joseph, situé face au collège Notre-Dame. Il rêve d'y ériger une chapelle dédiée au saint patron.

Un premier sanctuaire est inauguré sur le terrain du chemin Queen-Mary, en 1904. La crypte de l'oratoire Saint-Joseph est inaugurée en 1917. Elle s'avère rapidement trop petite pour le nombre de fidèles qui s'y rendent. Le frère André reçoit les nombreux fidèles qui vont à l'oratoire Saint-Joseph. Il visite également les malades qui ne peuvent se déplacer. Il instaure des soirées de prière et un chemin de croix en 1920. Certains croient qu'il cause la guérison des malades et qu'il est à l'origine de miracles.

Il est décédé à Saint-Laurent le 6 janvier 1937. Il est déclaré bienheureux par le pape Jean-Paul II le 23 mai 1982. Canonisé le 17 octobre 2010, il est le premier saint né au Québec.

Source: (visit link)

Translated from the above noted text:
Born in Mont-Saint-Grégoire, August 9, 1845, Alfred Bessette (Brother André) the son of Isaac Bessette, carpenter, carpenter, cooper and wheelwright, and Clothilde Foisy.

Orphaned at the age of twelve, Bessette was taken in by his family in Saint-Césaire. He held various trades there before leaving for the United States in 1863. He worked in factories in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. He returned to Canada in 1867 and was hired by the parish priest of Farnham in 1867 and 1868. His piety was noticed by a relative who recommended him to the parish priest of Saint-Césaire.

In 1870, Bessette entered Notre-Dame college in Côte-des-Neiges. He made his novitiate with the Brothers of the Holy Cross. He became a brother on December 27, 1870 and took the name of Brother André. He made his final profession four years later.

From 1870 to 1909, he was porter of Notre-Dame college. He has a special devotion to Saint Joseph. Several sick people visit him at Notre-Dame college and claim to be healed thanks to his prayers. Little by little, he welcomed his visitors to Saint-Joseph Park, located opposite Notre-Dame College. He dreams of erecting a chapel dedicated to the patron saint.

The first sanctuary was inaugurated on the grounds of Chemin Queen-Mary in 1904. The crypt of Saint Joseph's Oratory was inaugurated in 1917. It quickly turned out to be too small for the number of faithful who went there. Brother André receives the many faithful who go to Saint Joseph's Oratory. He also visits patients who cannot travel. He established evenings of prayer and a Stations of the Cross in 1920. Some believe that he caused the healing of the sick and that he was the source of miracles.

He died in Saint-Laurent on January 6, 1937. He was declared blessed by Pope John Paul II on May 23, 1982. Canonized on October 17, 2010, he was the first saint born in Quebec.
Associated Religion(s): Catholique - Catholic

Statue Location: Oratoire Saint-Joseph - Montréal - St. Joseph's Oratory - Montreal

Entrance Fee: None - Aucune

Artist: Jean-Émile Brunet

Website: [Web Link]

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