Dear Religious of the Family of Holy Cross,
This morning, our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, held a consistory of all the Cardinals in Rome to obtain their votum on the canonization of Blessed André Bessette, C.S.C. The Cardinals affirmed the Pope's decision and so he announced that Brother André will be canonized in Rome on October 17, 2010. Members of the Congregation representing our sisters, brothers and priests were present with other invited guests of those who will be canonized with Brother André. I would like to take this joyful occasion for our Holy Cross Family to thank everyone for your prayers leading to this momentous day for Holy Cross and for the Church.
In particular I wish to express our gratitude to the Holy Father, the Cardinals, our postulator Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, our vice-postulator Father Mario Lachapelle, C.S.C, Father Jean-Pierre Aumont, C.S.C., Provincial of the Canadian Province and Father Claude Grou, C.S.C. Rector of St. Joseph's Oratory.
Our entire Congregation of Holy Cross rejoices today with the universal Church. Brother André, the miracle worker of Montréal, is the first formally recognized saint among us. Clearly their are countless anonymous saints of Holy Cross as well.
Brother André’s early life was marked by physical frailty, poverty, illiteracy and family tragedy; amidst them all, prayer was his peace and joy. His parish priest encouraged the orphaned André to seek the consecrated life as his vocation for he believed it was there that André would find his true home and deepest fulfillment. In recommending André, his pastor told the Congregation of Holy Cross that he was sending them a saint. And so it was. God chooses the weak and makes them strong. André was strong in faith, mighty in zeal. His humility allowed the healing strength of God to fill his being and thus bring healing to others. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, Brother André taught us all to pray and so to find the strength needed to live our lives in the truth of God’s love.
Brother André’s Congregation of Holy Cross is international in scope with ministries reaching to the ends of the earth. In every Holy Cross community and chapel, Brother André is present and revered. He encourages us to pray always so as to bring God’s healing love to all in need. Through the world-wide mission of Holy Cross, Blessed Brother André became a universal figure; and now, in his canonization, he will be a saint for the universal Church. He calls all of us to pray unceasingly with him, through St. Joseph, to bring faith and healing to a broken world. May his humble yet persistent determination be our inspiration and our strength! As Brother André found his home in the consecrated life may new vocations flourish through his intercession!
I encourage each religious and every local community throughout the Congregation to sponsor a novena of thanksgiving for Brother André's canonization leading up to March 19th, the feast of Saint Joseph. Our novena prayer can be repeated in the nine days leading up to Brother André's canonization on October 17th.
We are all blessed through Brother André in our vocation as consecrated religious and we, Blessed Basile Moreau's Family of Holy Cross, are affirmed in the holiness of his life.
Sincerely in Holy Cross,
Father Hugh W. Cleary, C.S.C.
Superior General
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