Feb. 22, 2021: Divine Mercy Week 3 - Joseph Our Consolation in Suffering
Feb. 22, 2021: Divine Mercy Week 3 - Joseph Our Consolation in Suffering
Alfred was no stranger to suffering; you might say that his suffering began at birth. Alfred was so frail at birth that his father administered an emergency baptism. His frail health continued throughout his life. When he was six years old, his father died in a logging accident, and then six years later his mother died of tuberculosis. Alfred went to live with his aunt’s family. It was during that time that he received religious education and developed two lifelong devotions: Saint Joseph and the Passion of Christ. As a young man, he tried various jobs and trades, however, he did not succeed at the jobs. Seeing how devout and religious Alfred was, a local priest suggested Alfred enter religious life. When Alfred applied to a religious congregation, the congregation's leadership was at first reluctant to admit him into the order, fearing his poor health would be a burden to them. Alfred took the brave step of pleading with the local bishop, and the congregation allowed him in.
On Feb. 2, 1874, Alfred, who took the religious name Brother André, became a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Montreal. For nearly 40 years Brother André was assigned as a porter, or doorman, at the College of Notre-Dame-du-Sacre-Coeur; his lack of formal education and health issues prevented him from advancing to different roles with the Congregation. He faithfully served as the doorman and with great kindness he greeted the people who came to the college, he listened to their stories, prayed with them, and asked them to pray to St. Joseph to intercede for their suffering. Remarkably, their prayers were answered and numerous miraculous cures occured. People came back to thank Br. Andre, and soon, he became well known in Montreal for his healing and intercessory prayers. As Brother Andre looked across from the college to Mt. Royal, he desired to build a house of prayer for St. Joseph on top of the mountain. Br. Andre was instrumental in building the largest shrine dedicated to St. Joseph in the world. Today, millions of pilgrims travel to Montreal to pray and ask St. Joseph and St. Andre Bessette for their intercession.
Brother Andre had a deep love and devotion to St. Joseph and believed that St. Joseph would intercede with his Son Jesus for consolation to those who were suffering. Brother Andre emulated St. Joseph’s humility, purity, and charity. Saint Joseph was no stranger to sorrows and suffering. His marriage almost ended even before it began; the life of his newborn child was mortally threatened; and he had to provide for his family as a refugee in a foreign country. Through these difficulties, St. Joseph relied on his faith in God; Jesus learned from St. Joseph how to pray and rely on God even in the midst of trials. St. Joseph will teach us, too, how to trust and hope when difficulties arise in our lives.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote that St. Joseph is a refuge for those who are overwhelmed with life’s suffering: “If discouragement overwhelms you, think of the faith of Joseph; if anxiety has its grip on you, think of the hope of Joseph; if exasperation or hatred seizes you, think of the love of Joseph, who was the first man to set eyes on the human face of God in the person of the Infant conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Let us praise and thank Christ for having drawn so close to us, and for giving us Joseph as an example and model of love.”
