(1845-1937) Born as Alfred near Montreal, Quebec, the eighth of 12 children, to a poor woodcutter. Andre joined the Congregation of the Holy Cross at 25 and served as the porter of the College of Notre Dame in Montreal. He had a deep devotion to Saint Joseph and recommended him to anyone afflicted. Several miracles of healing were attributed to Andre’s intercessory prayers to Saint Joseph.
Pope Benedict XVI said during Saint Andre’s canonization homily, October 17, 2010, “For him, believing meant submitting freely and through love to the divine will. Wholly inhabited by the mystery of Jesus, he lived the beatitude of pure of heart, that of personal rectitude…For him, everything spoke of God and of God’s presence. May we, in his footsteps, seek God with simplicity in order to discover him ever present in the heart of our life!” Saint Andre’s holiness was exemplified through his simplicity of surrender. How do you intentionally surrender to God’s will in recovery (Step 3)?
“Do not seek to have your trials removed, ask rather for the grace to bear them well” (Saint Andre Bessette).
Reflection by Brad Farmer