Blessed Andre Bessette
Alfred Bessette was born in 1845 in Canada. His father died in an accident and his mother of tuberculosis when he was a young child. An uncle who insisted that Alfred work on their farm to earn his keep adopted him. He experienced chronic stomach pains preventing him from holding a job for any extended period of time. Unable to read or write, Alfred applied to the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1870. He, now known as Brother Andre, was hesitantly excepted due to his poor health and little education. Brother Andre devoted his life to building a chapel for Saint Joseph on a mountain near the boys' school at which he worked. He spent many years building the chapel beginning with just a roof. The progress was strained due to financial difficulties. Pope John Paul II beatified Andre Bessette on May 23, 1982.