Saint André Bessette’s Saint Joseph oratory in Montreal

Bernadette stands with other visitors in Saint André Bessette’s Saint Joseph oratory Aug. 31 on Mont-Royal in Quebec. André (1845-1937), a distant cousin, started welcoming pilgrims and the sick on the mountain, overlooking Montreal, in 1901, and then found the oratory in 1904. He became well known for his collection of canes and wheelchairs, left by people who sought his help with healing. His miracles were validated in Rome, which led to his canonization by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 17, 2010.