St. André Bessette, also known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal,” lived from 1845 through 1937. During that time, he witnessed the ravages of World War I, a highly contagious Spanish flu pandemic, and the suffering of many during the Great Depression.
Yet, through it all, he kept his faith in God and devoted himself even more to St. Joseph.
What was his secret?
According to Pope Benedict XVI in his homily for the canonization of St. André, “For him, believing meant submitting freely and through love to the divine will. Wholly inhabited by the mystery of Jesus, he lived the beatitude of pure of heart, that of personal rectitude.”
He had a simplicity of heart that was able to endure anything, knowing that God was behind it.
Pope Benedict XVI quotes a remarkable saying of St. André that best summarizes his advice on how to weather through any storm in life.
“Do not seek to have your trials removed, ask rather for the grace to bear them well.”
St. André Bessette
Pope Benedict XVI continues, “For him, everything spoke of God and of God’s presence.“
For St. André, it wasn’t about asking God to remove an obstacle, but for the grace to endure that obstacle, accepting it as if it was from the hand of God.
This can be very difficult to accept, as our natural inclination is to try to get rid of any discomfort we may have. However, often we can’t eliminate a trial, and we need to instead embrace it and ask God for the grace to endure it well.
And today we celebrate...