St. André Bessette
St. André Bessette was burdened with illness from birth. At 25, St. Andre applied to the Congregation of the Holy Cross, but he was rejected because of his poor health. However, through the favor of his bishop, he was eventually accepted and became known as Brother Andre. St. Andre was deeply devoted to St. Joseph, and spent a great deal of his time praying for his intercession. He also spent a lot of time with the sick. St. Andre’s devotion to St. Joseph is credited for many miraculous healings in the sick St. Andre worked with. Word of St. Andre’s healing powers began to spread, and he became a key member of the Catholic Church in Montreal, Canada. Pope Benedict XVI once said that Saint Andre “lived the beatitude of the pure of heart”.