by Fr Thomas Rosica, CSB

All of us at Salt + Light Television rejoice with the Church in Canada, the Church in Quebec and especially with the Archdiocese of Montreal over the upcoming canonization of Blessed Brother André Bessette, of the Congregation of Holy Cross. On December 19, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to Blessed Brother André’s intercession, thereby opening the way to his canonization.

At the end of February, during the special consistory for the new Saints, Pope Benedict established the date of Brother André’s canonization: October 17, 2010. Brother André will become the 11th Saint in the Canadian Church.

I have had a personal devotion to Brother André ever since my first visit to the Oratory in 1976 when I was a high school student. Brother André taught me back then:“Ite ad Joseph”, “Go to Joseph” and entrust to the Holy One of Nazareth your projects and dreams, that he may protect you and give success to the work of your hands. Over the past 34 years, I have been a regular visitor to the house that André built for Joseph on Mount Royal. In May 1999, on the day that I was named National Director and CEO of World Youth Day 2002, I took the train to Montreal and spent the night at the Oratory. I placed World Youth Day 2002 in the hands of Blessed Brother André Bessette, asking him to bless our poor, humble efforts in allowing Christ to touch the hearts and minds of young people of Canada and the world.

In May 2003, one year after the blessed event, I returned to Montreal to thank Brother André for the graces of World Youth Day, as well as entrusting to him the new adventure of Salt + Light Television, a dream of Gaetano Gagliano and St. Joseph Corporation in Toronto. I am convinced that Blessed André Bessette has interceded for us many times over the past seven years - for the needs of Salt + Light Television and its ministry in Canada.

Through Brother André’s efforts, suffering and faith, from a little chapel on a hillside of Mount Royal came forth a great Basilica that now dominates Montreal’s mountain and Canada’s spiritual landscape. The Oratory is the largest home to St. Joseph in the world. At Salt + Light, what started off small has also grown into a splendid instrument of hope that is at the service of the Universal Church.

Brother André will be canonized in St. Peter’s Square along with five others, including Blessed Mary McKillop, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Australia’s outback. Salt + Light Television produced a special documentary on Mary McKillop: Australia’s First Saint last year. You can order that documentary from our online store along with many other quality Salt + Light productions. We are currently working on a documentary on the life of Brother André Bessette. We will also bring you live coverage of Brother André’s canonization next October 17 from the Vatican.

May the legacy of St. André Bessette of Montreal remind us of what each person can achieve through faith and love. In the humble porter’s own words, “It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most beautiful pictures.” These words have been so true for us at Salt + Light Television: with the smallest of cameras and editing equipment, in a cramped studio, with a team of young and “green” filmmakers, editors, writers, and a priest CEO, we have been able to present to the world in our first seven years magnificent images and stories of hope. We can only continue to do this with your prayers, friendship and generous financial support.

I share with you one final dream and desire: the time has come for us to offer a daily celebration of the Eucharist from the lower Church of Saint Joseph’s Oratory. Please join me in begging St. Joseph and Brother André to make this become a reality. For this to happen, we must find some significant donors to cover the cost of the television equipment and technology in Montreal.

Father Thomas Rosica, CSB
CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation