Canonization for Bro. André

Interior of the Basilica, St. Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal. Brother André was not an ordained priest but a religious brother. In the Church, men & women have consecrated their lives to Christ with the vows of poverty, celibacy, & obedience. Some men are ordained priests while others become brothers dedicated to prayer, community, & service. Blessed Basil Moreau dedicated the brothers to the patronage of St. Joseph, calling upon them to participate in the life that unites and supports Holy Cross.

The Heart of Brother, André Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada. The ancient custom of preserving the heart of famous persons was prevalent in France and Italy as a sign of admiration and gratitude. Pilgrims to St. Joseph’s Oratory often stop in front of Brother André’s heart for a moment of prayer.

The Way of the Cross and the Gardens of the Oratory, 1, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada. Brother André wanted to offer pilgrims an open-air setting conductive to meditation and prayer on the mystery of the Passion of Christ. His approach to prayer was marked by simplicity and directness. “When praying,” he said, “one speaks to God as one speaks to a friend.”

The Way of the Cross and the Gardens of the Oratory, 2, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal Canada. Brother André prayed for those who visited him and also meditated intensely on the Passion of Christ. He urged others to pray with confidence and perseverance, while remaining open to God’s will. He admonished people to begin their path to healing through commitments to faith and humility, through confession and a return to the sacraments. He also encouraged the sick to seek a doctor’s care.