Special Mass

Brother André was raised to the rank of Saint on October 17, 2010.

To mark the 10th anniversary of his canonization, activities are planned at the Oratory and a special Mass will be broadcast live from the Oratory’s Basilica on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. on the Oratory’s Facebook page and on our Youtube account.

10 years already… Message from the Rector

(In French)

Men and women give testimony of their experience during the canonization, or of their attachment to Saint Brother André

Testimonies in English

Testimonies in French

A friend. A Brother. A Saint.

Advertisement broadcast during the canonization

Photos of the 10th Anniversary of Canonization

Vigile de prières

October 16, 2010, Church of Sant’ Andrea della Valle, Rome — During the prayer vigil in Rome, the large portrait of Brother André caught the eye of pilgrims and provoked many gestures of devotion.
(Photo: Nathalie Dumas)

Père Grou et Aumont

October 17, 2010, St. Peter’s Square, Rome — Father Jean-Pierre Aumont, then Superior of the Canadian Province of the Holy Cross and Father Claude Grou, Rector of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal were among the hundred or so priests on the square in front of the Vatican Basilica, happy to celebrate this great day.
(Photo: Nathalie Dumas)

October 30, 2010, Olympic Stadium of Montreal – The impressive entrance procession included 58 Canadian bishops, about 100 priests and nearly 200 youth.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

Delegation André Bessette Rome

October, 17, 2010, St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome – Thousands of pilgrims from various countries invaded St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Sunday October 17, 2010, including a large delegation for Saint Brother André.
(Photo: Nathalie Dumas)

October 16, 2010, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal — Pilgrims gathered in the Crypt Church prayed and sang at this very special vigil in honour of Brother André. Several of them literally spent the night there.
(Photo: Alexandre Genest)

Relique du frère André

October 30, 2010, Olympic Stadium of Montreal – The reliquary of Saint Brother André entered the Stadium, carried by Bessette brothers from Mont-Saint-Grégoire, hometown of Saint André, born Alfred Bessette.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

October 30, 2010, Olympic Stadium of Montreal – Among the offertory gifts brought to the altar: the blueprints for the Oratory’s Basilica, old wooden crutches, Saint Joseph’s Oil and a suitcase of Brother André.
(Photo: Maxime Boisvert)

P Grou et Lachapelle stade

October 30, 2010, Montreal Olympic Stadium — Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, Archbishop of Montreal, presided over the celebration. At his side (from left to right) were priests officially representing the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the Catholic Church of Canada, the Vatican and Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

Relique SFA

October 30, 2010, Montreal Olympic Stadium — The great reliquary of Saint Brother André.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

October 17, 2010, St. Peter’s Square, Rome — Bishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, solemnly requested the canonization of the six Blesseds from Pope Benedict XVI.
(Photo: Nathalie Dumas)

October 30, 2010, Olympic Stadium of Montreal – More than 48,000 people filled the bleachers for the Mass of Thanksgiving in honour of Saint Brother André.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

Cardinal Turcotte stade

October 30, 2010, Montreal Olympic Stadium — This Thanksgiving Mass was Olympic in scope!
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

October 17, 2010, St. Peter’s Square, Rome — Some representatives of the delegation of St. Andrew Bessette had the privilege of receiving communion from the hands of the Holy Father.
(Photo: Nathalie Dumas)

Cardinal canonisation stade

October 30, 2010, Montreal Olympic Stadium — Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte summarized the spiritual figure of Brother André during the homily. “A very great saint,” he said.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

Crypte canonisation

October 16, 2010, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal — As 4:00 a.m. approached in Montreal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory was literally overflowing for the live broadcast of the canonization Mass from Rome.
(Photo: Alexandre Genest)

October 30, 2010, Montreal Olympic Stadium – Crutches held at arm’s length recall the many victories over illness that have occurred thanks to Brother André’s intercession.
(Photo: Bernard Brault)

Dépliant saint frère André English
Saint André Bessette
A Saint for Today (PDF)
Booklet on the life of Brother André
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium on October 30, 2010
Canonization in Rome on October 17, 2010
Tenth Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Brother André
A friend, a brother, a saint.