The Oratory attracted large numbers of pilgrims, and plans were made to construct a large basilica.

Joseph.Įxplore a Photo Gallery of the Oratory of St. This shrine opened on October 19, 1904, and in 1909, Brother André was released from his duties as doorkeeper and assigned full-time as the caretaker of the Oratory of St. He saved the money he earned from giving haircuts at five cents apiece, eventually earning the $200 he needed to construct a simple structure.

Joseph inspired him to found a shrine to his favorite saint across the street from Notre Dame College. He knew that the real source of these miraculous cures was St. Through it all, Brother André remained humble, often seeming confused that people would lavish such praise on him. So many people flocked to see him that the Congregation allowed him to see sick people at a trolley station across the street. Many people began to experience physical healings after praying with Brother André, and his reputation as a healer began to spread. Among his many duties, he greeted visitors and tended to their needs. He continued this assignment as a professed brother. Given his frail health and lack of a formal education, Brother André was assigned as doorkeeper of Notre Dame College in Montreal. Upon entering the Novitiate, Alfred took the name André, which was the name of his childhood pastor. Alfred, however, was not discouraged, with the assistance of the Archbishop of Montreal, received entrance into the Holy Cross Novitiate on December 27, 1870. He had been baptized right after birth because they had been afraid that he might not live more than a few days, and he was sickly all his life. Initially, Holy Cross did not accept Alfred because of his poor health. He sent Alfred to the Congregation with a note that said, “I am sending you a saint.” There, his childhood pastor encouraged him to consider a vocation to religious life. After a few years trying to find work in the United States, he returned to Quebec. He had to work to support himself and had little formal education, but from an early age he had a lively faith and a strong devotion to St. Alfred Bessette was born in Quebec on August 9, 1845, and he was orphaned by the time he was 12.

Fathers by Andre J.D. Gerard