Ann Khristine Tabora
Blessed Basil Moreau
| Ann Khristine Tabora
Campus Minister
Brother Andre: a Friend, a Brother, a Saint!
On April 19, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI announced that Blessed Brother
Andre Bessette, C.S.C., the “Miracle Man of Montreal,” would be
canonized a saint in Rome on October 17, 2010. This announcement is a
cause of great rejoicing for the entire Congregation of Holy Cross, as
Blessed Andre will be the first formally recognized saint of the
congregation.
Now, the entire family of Holy Cross, including
families of Moreau Catholic, and the universal Church has the once in a
lifetime chance to witness the hometown celebrations to be held in
Montreal Canada, October 28, 2010 – October 31, 2010.
Poverty,
physical illness and being orphaned at twelve marked Alfred Bessette’s
humble beginnings in the village of Saint-Gregoire-d’Iberville near
Montreal, Quebec. Amidst them all, prayer became his peace and joy. He
entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1870 and was given the name
Brother Andre. Because of his frail health, his first assignment, which
lasted for 40 years, was as the doorman of the community’s local
college.
Brother Andre developed a deep devotion to St. Joseph,
the foster father of Jesus and the patron saint of the Brothers of Holy
Cross. As people came to the school, Brother Andre directed them to
pray to St. Joseph and through his healing touch; thousands were cured
of their sufferings. Known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal” one of his
greatest contributions was building St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal,
the largest shrine in the world dedicated to St. Joseph. When Brother
Andre died in 1937, at 92, over 1 million people attended his funeral.
Now,
the entire family of Holy Cross, including families of Moreau Catholic,
and the universal Church has the once in a lifetime chance to witness
the hometown celebrations to be held in Montreal Canada, October 28,
2010 – October 31, 2010.
Moreau Catholic High School will be
sending a small delegation to attend the services, which includes a
visit to St. Joseph’s Oratory on Friday, October 29th and the
celebratory mass in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday October
30th.
Families that are interested in attending would need to
book their own travel arrangements. The approximate cost for this trip
is $1000.00 per person.
For specific travel and lodging
information please call Peter Francis Shelley, 510-881-4313 and check
St. Joseph’s Oratory website at www.saint-joseph.org for more details.
Whether
you attend the actual celebration or not, this is a great moment in the
life of our school and our Congregation as "The most humble of men has
reached the highest step."
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