Saturday, February 20, 2010

Vatican announces sainthood for Brother André

Canonization of humble, homespun Brother André to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church was celebrated at a Friday press conference behind the altar of the majestic St. Joseph's Oratory that was built in large part through his vision and persistence.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, Archbishop of Montreal, who will formally propose the evaluation at an Oct. 17 ceremony in Rome – said the man who becomes Quebec’s first male saint exemplified the qualities of simplicity, spirituality and service.

Turcotte celebrated the elevation of Brother André to sainthood by calling him "a humble man, and a visionary, a man of deep faith."

He was "an example of determination still relevant today, in 2010," he added.

Asked later about the rough week for the Church, specifically the Irish priest sex scandal, Turcotte said he did not want to comment.

However, he said that “in the Church, we have ordinary people. A few are saints ... a lot are sinners. But all are sons of God.”

“A situation like this, a humble guy like Brother André (being canonized) is a marvel for the whole world.”

A council of cardinals presided over by the pope decided early Friday to make Montreal's Brother André a saint.

Pope Benedict made the announcement in Latin from the meeting of cardinals at the Vatican.

The Roman Catholic clergy were in Vatican City to render a decision on André and five others who are on a short list for canonization.

The formal canonization ceremony will be held on Oct. 17.

André born Alfred Bessette, has already been recognized by the Catholic Church for his healing powers. In 1978, he was declared venerable. He was beatified in 1982.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said André’s canonization confirms the devotion of many who came to the lay brother for help.

“Brother André’s life shows us the power of faith and the importance of concern for the sick and others in need,” Harper said in a statement released Friday morning.

“In this solemn act, the Roman Catholic Church is honouring a Canadian who achieved greatness through humility, determination and service to others.”

The man most people associate with the massive St. Joseph's Oratory on the flank of Mount Royal in Montreal was born on Aug. 9, 1845, in St. Gregoire d'Iberville, southeast of the city.

André was a frail child, orphaned at age 10. He worked on farms and in mills in New England before returning to Quebec in 1867. In 1870 he took a job as custodian at College Notre Dame, run by the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal.

He was ordained a lay brother in 1874, and in his capacity as the porter of the school for 40 years, counselled many parents of pupils. With those who had fallen ill, he prayed to St. Joseph.

So many sick people began to visit his humble room in College Notre Dame, there was fear of spreading disease through the school. André gained a reputation as a healer, and a man who could perform miracles.

When the congregation purchased land across the street, André was instrumental in getting a small chapel built in 1904. There, he met with the sick, who left their crutches and canes behind when healed.

A church seating 1,000 was built in 1917 and in 1924 construction began on the current oratory, stopping only during the Depression.

When André died at age 91 in 1937, an estimated one million people came to pay their respects. The building was completed in 1967.

Once canonized, André will join St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (1982) and St. Marguerite d'Youville (1990), as well as eight Jesuit missionaries recognized as martyrs by Pope Pius XI in 1930, as Canadian saints.
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