January is in full swing, and like me, I am sure many of you are coming down from the high of the Christmas season and transitioning back to the rhythms of everyday life. In this month, which is typically associated with setting routines and returning to normalcy, I find it fitting that we also celebrate the feast of a saint whose witness teaches us to grow in holiness through the ordinary: St. André Bessette.
St. André Bessette was born with a debilitating illness and was orphaned at the young age of twelve, making it difficult for him to attend school or secure a job. Despite his lack of formal education and his many professional failures, André still had a lively faith and a strong devotion to St. Joseph, eventually leading him to consider a vocation to religious life in the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Due to his frail health and the fact that he was illiterate, the Congregation assigned him to be a doorkeeper at Notre-Dame College in Montreal, where he continued this assignment as a professed brother.
He spent his days greeting visitors at the door and humbly serving those at the College, being content to carry out even the most menial tasks, whether it be washing floors, cleaning lamps and windows, doing laundry, or delivering messages. Having performed these duties for over 40 years, Brother André had the opportunity to greet and interact with countless people from all walks of life. His humility, religious devotion, and warmth inspired faith in all those he met. He became known for loving each person he interacted with, listening to those who needed to be heard, and praying for those in need of prayer. Over time, people began to experience physical healings after praying with him, and his popularity as a healer began to spread. This simple, lowly doorkeeper became known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal,” and thousands of healings have been attributed to his intercession since.
The path that God chose to elevate Brother André to a saint and miracle worker was not through grand actions or extraordinary moments, but through mundane actions and routines of everyday life. He shows us that seemingly small moments, like opening a door for someone, saying “Good morning,” or cleaning the floor, can all set us on a path toward holiness when done for the service of God.
We can learn from Brother André’s example as we begin this new year and settle into the routines of everyday life. This week, whether you are making your kids’ lunch, checking out at the grocery store, or making copies in the teachers’ lounge, think of André Bessette. Think of how you, too, can use a small moment to draw others—and yourself—closer to God. How can you bring God’s healing light to each interaction you have? How can you focus each task, no matter how small, on glorifying God?
AUTHOR: Bella Maier, Grade 2 Teacher