On Thursday, January 6th, the universal Church celebrates the 74th anniversary of the death of its first male Canadian-born saint – St. André Bessette.  As you may remember, the end of last year was marked by the celebrations for St. André’s canonization on October 17th.  Salt + Light also produced a documentary on his life ...read more

A week ago, Canada celebrated the canonization of Br. André Bessette at the Olympic stadium in Montreal.  It’s been an exciting time for the Church in Canada!  My time working on all things Br. André has now come to an end (I think, but who knows what the future always holds), so I wanted to ...read more

MONTREAL — Prime Minister Stephen Harper stopped in at St. Joseph’s Oratory on his way to the Olympic Stadium for the grand Canadian celebration for the canonization of Saint Brother André. He was greeted by Fr. Claude Grou, CSC, rector of the shrine that was founded by Saint Brother André more than a century ago. ...read more

I wrote the blog Encores for Brother André, mentioning the rebroadcast of the Canonization Mass and the airdates for my Catholic Focus: Remembering Brother André episode this coming weekend. But there’s much more Br. André to catch this weekend than that! So, check this out: 1. Rebroadcast of the Coverage of the Canonization Mass: Saturday, ...read more

MONTREAL — Effie Cordeiro is still in a state of sublime joy nearly two weeks after receiving the Eucharist from the Pope October 17, during the canonization Mass for Brother André. “It was awesome, amazing. I’m still trying to absorb it,” said the mother of three young adult children, whose births she and her husband, ...read more

MONTREAL — The beauty of icons is in their ability to allow people to encounter the sacred and to apprehend what is essential to their lives. Following a long-standing Church tradition to write icons of the saints, two official icons of Canada’s newest saint were written. The new icons of Brother André, written by Quebec ...read more

This blog was submitted by Fr. Andrew Gawrych, CSC, of the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross. One of the most moving parts for me in the Mass of Canonization was when the relics of the newly canonized saints were processed and placed in front of the altar.  I have re-watched that part ...read more

On the eve of the canonization of Blessed Brother André Bessette, Salt + Light premiered the documentary God’s Doorkeeper: St. André of Montreal in Rome.  Father Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt + Light welcomed an attentive audience of more than 150 people to the Maria Bambina Theatre for the screening.  There was an atmosphere of ...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