It didn’t take long for St. André Bessette to become known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal.” He was a simple lay brother, not wanting much attention, but graced by God with a deep and abiding faith.
Similar to Bl. Solanus Casey, Bessette was a porter, the “door man,” for the seminary and daily went about his business with little fanfare. He spent long hours on his knees and constructed a small chapel in honor of St. Joseph, where he spent much of his free time.
It didn’t take long for visitors to Bessette’s small chapel to begin reporting cures and special heavenly favors. It soon caught the attention of the local archbishop who said after visiting the chapel, “Shall I say that miracles are wrought in this shrine of St. Joseph? If I denied that such was the case, the ex-votive offerings in yonder pyramids would belie my words. I need make no investigation, I am convinced extraordinary occurrences have taken place; corporal cures, perhaps, although it; is quite easy to suffer illusion in such cases, and spiritual cures still greater have been wrought here. Sinners have come here, have prayed, and after prayer confessed their iniquities and gone away at peace with God.”
Crowds began to form and they started to ask Brother André for his personal prayers. Miracles continued to occur and they labeled him a “Miracle Man.” Bessette only laughed at the name and said, “It is St. Joseph who does these things, I am like you, simply a suppliant.”
While he never became a priest, Brother André sat with people, heard their many sufferings and prayed with them. Afterwards many were healed of their ailments, either physical or spiritual. According to some estimates, over 10,000 people were cured (with some estimates reaching as many as 125,000).