Before the Tomb of Brother Andre Bessette (11 September 1984)

On Tuesday, 11 September 1984, in the Oratory of Saint Joseph (Montreal), the Holy Father prayed before the Tomb of Blessed Brother André Bessette, and spoke of the apostolate of the Fathers and Brothers of the Holy Cross.

Dear Religious of the Holy Cross,

Thank you for your warm welcome. I would have liked to speak with you at greater length, not only about Blessed Brother André, but about the apostolate of the Fathers and Brothers of the Holy Cross, in Canada and in so many countries where you provide Christian education to children, young people, students, where you respond to other spiritual needs, in the field of Catholic action or publishing. For these human services, for this witness of the Church, I express fervent wishes in favor of your entire Congregation. From the beginning, your founders placed themselves under the protection of the Holy Family, and especially of Saint Joseph. And it was one of the humblest among you, the doorkeeper of the College, André Bessette, who took this trust in the intercession of Saint Joseph to the highest degree. “Pauper servus et humilis”, Brother André is now elevated to the rank of the blessed. In this high place of Montreal, in this grandiose Oratory, which was born of his ardent devotion, rather than making a speech, I invite you to join in my prayer to Saint Joseph and to Blessed Andrew.

Saint Joseph, with you, for you, / we bless the Lord.

He chose you among all men / to be the chaste husband of Mary, / the one who stands at the threshold of the mystery of her divine motherhood, / and who, after her, / welcomes her in faith as the work of the Holy Spirit.

You gave Jesus legal paternity / in connection with the lineage of David.

You have constantly watched over the Mother and Child / with loving concern, / to ensure their life / and enable them to fulfill their destiny.

The Savior Jesus deigned to submit to you, / as to a father, during his childhood and adolescence, / and to receive from you the apprenticeship of human life, / while you shared his life / in the adoration of his mystery.

You remain with Him.

Protect especially this Canadian people / who have placed themselves under your patronage.

Help him to approach in turn the mystery of Christ / in the dispositions of faith, submission and love / which were yours.

Look upon the spiritual and material needs / of all those who have recourse to your intercession, / especially families / and the poor of all poverty: / through you, they are sure to reach the maternal gaze of Mary / and the hand of Jesus who helps them.

And you, blessed Brother André Bessette, / doorkeeper of the college and guardian of this Oratory, / open to hope / all those who continue to seek your help.

Teach them confidence in the virtue of prayer, / and, with it, the path of conversion and the sacraments.

May God, through you and through Saint Joseph, continue to pour out his blessings on the Congregation of the Holy Cross, on all those who frequent this Oratory, on the city of Montreal, on the people of Quebec, on all the Canadian people, and on the entire Church.

Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana