As I look at St. Andre Bessette, his face exudes nothing but love, his small beady eyes shows abundant warmth and I honestly feel he was a sweet, kind and gentle.
His story: St.Andre was born in Quebec, Canada on August 9th 1845 as ALFRED Bessette. Later on after his canonisation he was known as St. Andre of Montreal.
When Saint Andre was born he was very weak that his father, a carpenter by profession immediately baptised him. What draws me to St. Andre is his story...and what a remarkable one it is! You see, St. Andre was very weak throughout most of his life..He wasn't able to work and would often leave the work he was given due to his ill health. The Pastor of his parish, Fr. André Provençal, noticed the devotion and generosity of the young man. He decided to present Alfred to the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal, writing a note to the superior, "I'm sending you a saint." How cool is that?! Indeed he later was to be a Saint of Miracles.
I think St. Andre was deeply devoted to St. Joseph because his father was a carpenter and St. Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters after all. St. Andre dearly loved St. Joseph with all his heart. So deep was his love that he collected coins from the haircuts he would give the boys. He also labelled these collected coins as 'Donations For St. Joseph'.
So great was his love for beloved St. Joseph that he dreamt of building a church for St. Joseph. Now how adorable is this? A man who was weak all his life, who didn't have the strength to work but still worked with all his might wanted to build a church?? Holyyyy!
A few hundered dollars later he built a small wooden shelter for devotees which later turned into a chapel and the dream was finally coming true because at the age of 91 St. Andre wanted to build a basilica!
My sweet St. Andre Bessette you passed away sadly on 6th January 1937. I have learnt from you to work hard and never give up. It doesn't matter if you start small or at the bottom, strive to work hard honestly with God by your side. Despite your ill health you made your dream come true..how awesome must have been that moment you met St. Joseph!
He was declared venerable in 1978 and was beatified in 1982. Pope Benedict XVI approved sainthood for Blessed André on February 19, 2010, with the formal canonization taking place on October 17, 2010.
I say: Close your eyes and pray to St. Andre Bessette if you want to start something new, a new job, a new relationship, guidance, if you want to do something for Our Father, if you are struggling, if you feel you have nothing in life, if you have lost someone and you want strength to move on :)
I love you St. Andre Bessette.
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