Saint André Bessette

Saint André Bessette was a simple man from Canada. He was born in 1845 and lived a quiet life. He worked as a doorkeeper for many years. He is known for his deep faith and prayer.

Many people came to him for help. He prayed with them and many were healed. He never said he healed anyone. He always gave the credit to Saint Joseph.

He had a strong love for Saint Joseph. He told people to trust in Saint Joseph and pray to him. His love for Saint Joseph led to the building of a great church in Montreal.

Saint André was very humble. He did not think he was important. But people saw his faith and kindness. Today, he is remembered as a man who trusted God in all things.

André Bessette was born on August 9, 1845, in Quebec, Canada. His full name was Alfred Bessette. He was the eighth of twelve children. His parents were poor. They worked hard to care for their large family.

When André was still a child, his father died in a work accident. His father cut trees for a living. One day, a tree fell on him and he died. A few years later, André’s mother died of illness. André was only twelve years old when he became an orphan.

After his parents died, André went to live with relatives. He moved from place to place. Life was not easy. He had little schooling. He often worked on farms and in workshops to help earn money.

André was often sick as a child. He was small and weak. He could not do heavy work. Many people thought he would not live long. But he kept going. He prayed often and stayed close to God.

Even as a child, André was kind and quiet. He did not talk much, but people noticed his good nature. He was not smart in school, but he had strong faith. This would shape his whole life.

As a young man, André worked many small jobs. He was not strong, so heavy work was hard for him. He tried being a baker, a shoemaker, and a farmer. He also worked in a factory in the United States for a short time. But none of these jobs lasted very long. He prayed often and asked God what he should do with his life.

André began to feel called to serve God in a deeper way. He wanted to become a religious brother. When he was in his twenties, he asked to join the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal. But there was a problem. He was very weak and often sick. The brothers were not sure if he was strong enough to live the religious life.

His pastor, Father André Provençal, believed in him. He sent a letter to the Congregation and said, “I am sending you a saint.” Because of this, the Congregation gave André a chance. He joined them as a novice in 1870. He took the name Brother André.

Even after joining, he still faced trouble. Some thought he would not last long. But André stayed faithful. He obeyed his superiors and did his work with love. He trusted that God had a plan for him, even if it was a small one.

Brother André was given a simple job at Notre-Dame College in Montreal. He was the doorkeeper. He opened the door, welcomed guests, cleaned floors, and ran small errands. He also cut students’ hair and took care of the laundry. He did every task with care and patience.

Many people started coming to him with their troubles. Some were sick. Others were sad or afraid. Brother André would listen to them and pray with them. He often gave them a medal of Saint Joseph and told them to pray and trust in God.

Over time, people began to say they were healed after praying with Brother André. Some who were sick said they got better. Word spread. More and more people came to see him. He always said it was not him who healed—it was Saint Joseph.

This caused some trouble. Some people didn’t believe him. Others thought the crowds were a problem. But Brother André stayed calm. He kept praying and helping. Even when he was tired, he still welcomed the sick and the poor. He never turned people away.

Brother André loved Saint Joseph very much. From a young age, he prayed to him every day. He saw Saint Joseph as a helper and protector. He trusted him in every part of life.

When people came to Brother André with sickness or pain, he told them to pray to Saint Joseph. He said, “Go to Joseph.” He gave them Saint Joseph medals and oil that had been near a lamp in the chapel. He said the healing came through prayer and Saint Joseph’s care.

Brother André also prayed for workers, fathers, the poor, and the sick—just like Saint Joseph. He saw Saint Joseph as a quiet and strong helper, always near those in need. This shaped the way he lived. He tried to be simple, kind, and faithful, just like Saint Joseph.

He never took credit for the healings. He always said Saint Joseph did the work. His deep trust in Saint Joseph gave hope to others. People who were hurting felt comforted when they came to Brother André. They believed Saint Joseph was with them too.

Brother André wanted a place to honor Saint Joseph. In 1904, he asked if he could build a small chapel on Mount Royal, near the college. At first, the idea seemed too big. He had no money. But he trusted Saint Joseph to help.

With a few donations and help from friends, a tiny wooden chapel was built. It was simple and small. Brother André welcomed people there. He prayed with them and talked to them about Saint Joseph. More people started coming to the chapel.

As the crowds grew, the chapel had to grow too. More rooms were added. Then a bigger church was planned. People gave money, even if they were poor. Many came to help build it with their hands. Brother André guided the work. He said Saint Joseph was in charge.

In time, the small chapel became Saint Joseph’s Oratory. It took many years to finish. Today, it is the largest church in the world built for Saint Joseph. It stands as a sign of Brother André’s faith and hard work. But he always said it was Saint Joseph’s work, not his.

Brother André grew old and weak, but he kept praying for people. He suffered many health problems. Even in pain, he stayed faithful. He died on January 6, 1937, at the age of 91.

After he died, a huge crowd came to say goodbye. Over a million people passed by his coffin. Many had come to him for help when he was alive. Now they came to thank him one last time.

The Church studied his life and the many healings linked to him. In 1982, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI named him a saint. He is now known as Saint André Bessette. His feast day is January 6. He is the patron saint of the sick and of caregivers in Canada.

Saint André’s life shows us that small things matter. He had little strength, little schooling, and a simple job. But he lived with great faith and care for others. He reminds us that we do not need to be famous or strong to serve God. We only need to trust, pray, and love.

The Doorkeeper Who Welcomed Miracles

Saint André Bessette didn’t have fame or power. He was sick, poor, and often overlooked. But he had something better—strong character shaped by humility and trust in God.

As a simple doorkeeper, he treated every visitor with love. He cared for the sick, prayed with them, and many were healed. André didn’t try to be important. He just served where he was, and God used him in big ways. His life shows that character matters more than status.

Brother Andre

Read the full biography of Saint André Bessette, a simple and kind man who showed deep faith and care for others. He had little schooling but a strong trust in God. He helped many people who were sick or hurting, always pointing them to Saint Joseph. He lived with a clean heart and always tried to do what was right. His life was full of prayer and quiet service. People saw him as someone close to God. Even though he seemed small in the world, his faith touched many. His story shows how simple faith and love can bring hope to others.