Friend of the Suffering
by Lori Hadacek Chaplin in Faith on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 5:59 AM
“The slightest earthly suffering is rewarded a thousand times over in heaven. If people only realized this, they would fall to their knees and ask to be tried,” said Brother André Bessette.* Brother André’s words resonate in my soul and are a constant reminder to me that the little slights and inconveniences, aches and pains, and disappointments that come more often than I’d prefer have great merit.
Unfortunately, I have to keep reminding myself of Brother André’s supernatural perspective on suffering because of the constant “life should feel good” brainwashing I receive from secular society. Rather than embrace suffering, most often I run from it; and I certainly complain about. When life is going well I fear that God is up there cooking up my next plate of anguish because He knows how I am — He knows that I embrace Him more fully when I’m suffering.
Brother André Bessette (1845-1937), who will be canonized on October 17th, 2010, knew suffering intimately from a young age. He was born a sickly child who wasn’t expected to live — his sickness (debilitating digestive problems) left him weakened his entire life. By the time he was 12-years-old both of his parents had passed away. Later, Brother André struggled through many occupations due to his illness and because he could barely read.
His struggles did not stop when, at the age of 25, he entered the novitiate in the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal, Canada. His superiors did not want to allow Br. André to take his temporary vows because of his poor health. The Bishop of Montreal, Mgr. Ignace Bourget, happened to be visiting and Br. André atypically went over his superior’s heads and beseeched the bishop to allow him to join. Br. André got his way; he professed his perpetual vows at the age of 28.
His suffering would continue; he felt isolated from his community. His job as porter at the Order’s college, Notre-Dame College, separated him from his colleagues. He slept and ate separately from the rest of the community, which hurt and embarrassed him.
Besides his menial work Br. André was doing supernatural work—healing the bodies and souls of the many visitors that came to the school. By 1890 he had earned the reputation as a saint, and crowds of people would wait in line to see him.
Healing Through Saint Joseph
Br. André had a deep love for St. Joseph; those who knew him said he could not speak without mentioning St. Joseph. He credited all of his miracles to Jesus’ foster father. “For Br. André, Saint Joseph could obtain anything from his Son. All that was needed was to ask him!”, explains the Saint’s biographer Jean-Guy Dubuc.
When Br. André cured he often suggested that the sick rub oil burnt in front of St. Joseph’s statue, called “St. Joseph’s oil”, on their ailments. At first some of his colleagues mocked him for this practice calling him “Old Greaser.” But numerous healings from the use of St. Joseph’s oil converted even his detractors. Today stacks of wheel chairs and crutches at Saint Joseph’s Oratory, in Montreal, Canada — a shrine that exists because of Br. André’s great faith and dedication to St. Joseph — provide evidence of its efficacy.
Love of the Cross
It is not surprising that Br. André identified deeply with Christ’s Passion. His prayer life was centered on the cross. He spoke often about the Passion of Christ in detail—as if he were experiencing it. He often said, “‘The love shown to us by Jesus during his Passion reveals the Good Lord’s love for us,’” writes Dubuc.
Br. André’s example provides a good reminder to all Catholics that we suffer not in vain; that our personal crosses bring us closer to God.
—Lori Hadacek Chaplin is a Faith & Family senior writer.
Resources:
To read more about the wisdom Brother André read his biography, Brother André: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph, by Jean-Guy Dubuc (Ave Maria Press, 2010, $16.95). The book provides a fascinating, in depth look at the Saint’s entire life and his spirituality.
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