Last week the Holy Father announced the canonization Mass of our first Holy Cross saint: Blessed Br. André Bessette, C.S.C. A simple brother who worked as a porter at Notre Dame College in Montreal, he soon developed a reputation as a holy man and a healer. His great faith and hospitable presence became so well known that thousands flocked to him daily. On January 6, 1937, over a million people gathered for the funeral services of Br. André, then known as the "Miracle Man of Montreal."
Last fall, four Old Collegians, including myself, were blessed to
travel to Montreal in pilgrimage to St. Joseph's Oratory, the enormous church dedicated to St. Joseph that Br. Andre was instrumental in constructing. We stayed with the Holy Cross community there, and were able to visit many other beautiful churches in Montreal. For myself, it was a time of spiritual renewal and an opportunity to experience this important place in Holy Cross history and spirituality. Every day at Old College, we pray for the intercession of Blessed Br. André, that we "may grow in our devotion to St. Joseph, and in our commitment to the poor and the afflicted". Those of us studying abroad next year are even hoping to attend his canonization Mass in Rome!
God bless our Pope, the great, the good,
Brian Kennedy
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