Saint Andre was already 25 years old when he went to the Holy Cross Brothers in Montreal, Canada. He brought with him a letter from his pastor: "I am sending you a saint."
He had tried to work many different jobs, but suffered stomach pains so often that he could not do much work. Even though he was an adult, Saint Andre could not read or write. He was sent to a school for 12 year old boys and when he finished there, he stayed to be the doorkeeper. Saint Andre remained a humble doorkeeper for the rest of his life.
Saint Andre often visited and tended to people who were ill. Many of them were healed and word spread that Saint Andre had healing powers. Saint Andre always made it clear that the real healing power came from God through prayers to Saint Joseph.
Saint Andre asked his archbishop for permission to build a church to Saint Joseph. The Archbishop said yes, but told Saint Andre that he must pay for the church himself. Saint Andre only had a few hundred dollars, mostly from giving haircuts. He built a tiny wood hut, but year after year, he saved more money and added on to the church.
Saint Joseph brought about many cures and miracles at this church founded by a humble doorkeeper. Over time, thousands of people flocked to the church. To this day crutches used by the miraculously healed line the walls.
Saint Andre died before the church was completed, but today it is called St. Joseph's Oratory and it is the biggest church in Canada! It is also the largest church dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world!
Saint Andre Bessette is the patron saint of the rejected. Ask Saint Andre to help you to become a saint, and he will help you in small ways to become a great saint. He will also help you grow closer to Saint Joseph, his favorite saint.