Statue of St. Joseph and the Christ Child in the crypt church at St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, founded by St. Andre Bessette.

Dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your service. I give myself to you, that you always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a great purity of heart, a fervent love of the interior life, and the spirit of prayer.

After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And you, blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I might share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

 (+ by Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ: Servant of God and a founder of the Institution on Religious Life)

 A biography of St. Andre can be found at http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=18

The post A Great Admirer of St. Joseph: St. Andre Bessette first appeared on AirMaria.com.

The humble Brother who loved St. Joseph: St. Andre Bessette  (feast day is January 6th)

Lord our God, friend of the lowly, you gave your servant, St. André Bessette, a great devotion to St. Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted. Through his intercession help us to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in your glory. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

St. André Bessette, pray for us!

The post first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #140106b ( 09min) Play – Fr. Elias ties today’s reading to the the Epiphany of Our Lord where the miracles He performs healing people manifests His glory and yet He keeps a humble demeanor. Father points to St. Andre Bessette as a modern example of this.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Mon post Epiphany or Jan 7
1st: 1jo 3:22-4:6
Resp: psa 2:7bc-8, 10-12a
Gsp: mat 4:12-17, 23-25

Audio (MP3)

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The post Jan 06 – Homily – Fr Elias: Humble Manifestations of Glory first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #140106n ( 05min) Play – Fr. Maximilian expounds on the Gospel passage day, reminding us that, even after Christmas, we still need to repent from our sins, no matter how “slight” and turn towards God.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Mon post Epiphany or Jan 7
1st: 1jo 3:22-4:6
Resp: psa 2:7bc-8, 10-12a
Gsp: mat 4:12-17, 23-25

Audio (MP3)

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The post Jan 06 – Homily – Fr Maximilian W: Repent and Be Cured first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #150106b ( 17min) Play – On the memorial of St. Andre Bessette Fr. Alan preaches on the life of this humble religious brother who overcame a very difficult start with very bad health and the early death of his parents, but went on to enter the Holy Cross Brothers where he grew in holiness centered on his devotion to St. Joseph, which he promoted both by his apostolic activity and by performing miracles of healing. This culminated in the building of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Tue post Epiphany or Jan 8
1st: 1jo 4:7-10
Resp: psa 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Gsp: mar 6:34-44

Audio (MP3)

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The post Jan 06 – Homily – Fr Alan: St. Andre, Humble Miracle Worker first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Homily #150106m ( 11min) Play– In today’s homily Fr. Johannes tells us about the life of St. Andre Bassette and his special devotion to St. Joseph.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: 

Audio (MP3)

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The post Jan 06 – Homily – Fr Johannes: St. Andre Bessette’s Devotion to St. Joseph first appeared on AirMaria.com.

On the Memorial of St. André Bessette (Religious, Jan 06, 2020), Father Alan relates the power of St. André’s devotion to St. Joseph, and how the works he accomplished are a sign for those of little or no faith, and an encouragement to those who desire to serve God and neighbor.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem

Readings: Weekdays after Epiphany – Jan 6
1st: 1 Jn 3:22-4:6
Resp: Ps 2:7-8,10-12
Gsp: Mt 4:12-17, 23- 25

More on the Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010620.cfm

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/90378558559/videos/2675769799203116
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/tvW6GS0r8BM

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The post St. André Bessette, Devotee of St. Joseph – Jan 06 – Homily – Fr Alan first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 06, 2025, on St. André Bessette’s life of faith, suffering, and devotion to St. Joseph, showcasing how humility and trust in God can lead to sanctity.

Father spoke of St. André Bessette, emphasizing his humble beginnings, devotion to St. Joseph, and profound faith despite physical challenges. Born Alfred Bessette in 1845, he experienced early loss and poor health but excelled in spiritual understanding. Through the influence of Father André Provençal, he developed a deep devotion to St. Joseph. After struggling with various trades, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1870, taking the name André in honor of his mentor. His life as a porter at the College of Notre Dame in Montreal was marked by prayer, service, and miraculous healings attributed to St. Joseph.

He founded St. Joseph’s Oratory, fulfilling a vision he had years earlier. Despite opposition, André’s unwavering faith inspired devotion and miracles. His reflections on suffering and trust in God resonated with Gospel teachings, particularly on carrying one’s cross (Luke 9:23). He urged others to embrace suffering as a pathway to sanctification and heaven (CCC 618). Even amid misunderstandings and accusations, he maintained humility, seeing suffering as a divine gift (CCC 1508).

In his final days, André endured great pain, offering it for the Pope, peace in Spain, and the Oratory’s completion. Canonized in 2010, his life exemplifies faith, humility, and the power of prayer.

For Further Reading
Luke 9:23 – NAB – Take up your cross daily – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?23
Catechism of the Catholic Church #618 – The meaning of suffering in Christ – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a4p2.htm#618
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1508 – Suffering and divine healing – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1508
Catholic Answers – God’s Love for You – https://www.catholic.com/tract/gods-love-for-you

00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – Early Life of St. André Bessette
02:15 – Devotion to St. Joseph
03:40 – Struggles with Poor Health
05:00 – Joining the Congregation of Holy Cross
06:30 – Miracles and Ministry as a Porter
08:00 – Building St. Joseph’s Oratory
09:45 – Legacy of Humility and Suffering

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=18
Readings: Wkdays after Epiphany – Jan 6 – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010625.cfm
1st: 1jo 3:22-4:6
Resp: psa 2:7-8, 10-12
Gsp: mat 4:12-17, 23- 25

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1340&r=1320

Also on Facebook: https://fb.watch/wXW3UbARUC/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/oExO_pzNmBk

The post St. André Bessette: Faith, Suffering, and Miracles – Jan 06 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 06, 2026, celebrating the memorial of St. André Bessette, highlighting his devotion to St. Joseph, miraculous intercessions, and the profound gift of suffering as an act of God’s love.

In his homily, Father shares the inspiring story of St. André Bessette, a humble porter in Montreal who dedicated his life to helping others seek St. Joseph’s intercession. He performed incredible miracles, such as healing a disfigured young man with oil from St. Joseph’s lamps, but never sought relief from his own suffering. Father explains that while it’s okay to pray for miracles, suffering is a great gift that conforms us to Jesus. Even when God allows pain, it’s always out of love, as St. John teaches that God is love. We can ask for relief, but God knows what’s best for our souls—sometimes a miracle, sometimes strength to endure heroically. Praise God in all things for our sanctification and growth in love.

1 John 4:8 – God is love essence – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?8
Catechism of the Catholic Church – Suffering’s redemptive value – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1500.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church – Prayer in suffering – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#2559
Catechism of the Catholic Church – Saints’ intercession – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/956.htm
St. André Bessette – Franciscan Media bio – https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andre-bessette/
Oratory of Saint Joseph – Official site – https://www.saint-joseph.org/en/

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Andre Bessette – Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=18
Readings: Wkdays after Epiphany – Jan 6 – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010626.cfm
1st: 1jo 3:22-4:6
Resp: psa 2:7-8,10-12
Gsp: mat 4:12-17, 23- 25

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1340&r=1320

Also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bu3xJo5Bx/
and YouTube: https://youtu.be/l7EDmmar7iY

The post St. André, Miracles and Suffering as a Gift – Jan 06 – Homily – Fr Matthias first appeared on AirMaria.com.