Intimacy with God. That’s how Brother André became a saint, according to the Archbishop of Montreal, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte. Those words came as part of his homily during a Mass of Thanksgiving this morning at Sant’Andrea delle Valle in Rome. It was also during the homily that the congregation erupted in an extended applause for ...read more

By François Gloutnay, editor of Catholic media blog Nouvelles de l’ACPC.Many articles in the Canadian and international press on the canonization of Brother André. Here are some excerpts.The Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno writes: “Alfred Bessette is now St. André. With upwards of 5,000 Canadians in St. Peter’s Square to witness the event, the Holy ...read more

This blog was submitted by Fr. Andrew Gawrych, CSC, of the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. It is still sinking in. Brother André Bessette is now a canonized saint! Perhaps like many of you, I watched with great devotion, pride, and joy the canonization Mass early this morning. One of my own, ...read more

The sun was slowly beginning peek through the clouds and a cool breeze floated through the silent streets of Rome. It seemed like any other Sunday, until I turned the corner and arrived at St. Peter’s Square. The line of pilgrims started at each entrance and wrapped around the fence the separates Roman territory from ...read more

MONTREAL — The live broadcast of the canonization Mass for Br. André October 17 and the vigil held the night before drew several thousand people to St. Joseph’s Oratory. Some came to participate in a major historic event; others came to pay tribute to their close ties to the saint. Judith Boyce arrived at the ...read more

MONTREAL — Quebecers have been rejoicing for months, ever since the Vatican announced February 19 that their beloved Br. André would be made a saint. Now that Pope Benedict XVI formally canonized St. André Bessette, or St. Brother André (a more intimate title approved for him for local use), the celebrations can officially begin. In ...read more

Canada has its first male Canadian-born Saint! Today’s Canonization marks a momentous occasion for Canadian Catholics and surely one that will go down in history. The Canonization of six new Saints took place this morning at the Vatican. Tens of thousands gathered for the Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Among those gathered were over 5,000 ...read more

We are just hours away from Br. André’s Canonization and the excitement is growing. The team of journalists who have descended on Rome to cover the Synod of Bishops is now torn about what to cover. Canadian flags are popping up everywhere as Canadian media arrive to interview any Canadians who can talk about why ...read more

MONTREAL — Anticipation is high in Montreal with only hours to go before the canonization of Br. André in Rome. “There’s a constant flow of pilgrims coming and going,” said Danielle Decelles, a communications officer at the oratory, October 17 at 1 am. Reams of people continue to stream into the crypt church of St. ...read more

MONTREAL — St. Joseph’s Oratory was overflowing with pilgrims on the eve of Br. André’s canonization in Rome. An estimated 1,500 pilgrims attended the evening mass Oct. 16, which led into a six-hour vigil of prayer, meditation, adoration and song. Every seat in the crypt church was filled for the mass; people stood in the ...read more