The Visor

Cannonization of Br. Andre witnessed by former Knight

Photo Credit: Matthew Jordan

Crowds gathered in Rome to witness that canonization of Brother Andre on Oct. 17.
Br. Andre is the first saint to be canonized from the ranks of the Holy Cross affiliation.

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April 5, 2011

Matthew Jordan, Class of '08

Matthew Jordan is a current student at John Carroll University. This semester, he is studying abroad in Rome and the chance to attend the canonization of Br. Andre at the Vatican.

A great moment for the Hoban community occurred while most of the student body was fast asleep after the Homecoming dance.
At approximately 4:45 A.M. EST (10:45 A.M. local time), Brother André Bessette became the first canonized saint in the Brothers of Holy Cross’s 169 year history.

As a 2008 Hoban alumnus, I realize the importance of this event for the Hoban community and consider myself blessed to have been a part of the canonization.

I am a seminarian, who is studying abroad in Rome. It just so happened that I was given the honor of being Hoban’s representative at the canonization.

I, along with my seminary formation director, Fr. Mark Ott, a St. Vincent-Mary graduate, joined the estimated 50,000 pilgrims from around the world to celebrate the canonization of Brother André and five other saints.
After waiting in line for about an hour, we found our seats near the Obelisk which is a tall pointed structure towards the middle of the square, a little more than 600 ft away from the altar.
The excitement grew as the procession began and the Pope came out on the pope-mobile. Many people waved flags to show their support of a particular saint’s native country. Although I was 600 ft. back, I could not help but feel a part of something extraordinary.
One of the unique parts of the Mass was when the relics of the new saints were brought up and placed next to the altar. I could not help but think of the vastness of the Church. Only in the Church could, St. André, a onetime illiterate factory worker’s remains be placed near where the Pope, who would later switch between five different languages in his homily, would celebrate Mass. Holiness in the Church does come in many different forms.
Back in the 19th century, Fr. Andre Provençal sent the young Alfred Bessette to the Fathers of Holy Cross with the message, “I am sending you a saint,” and on Oct. 17, 2010 the Church officially agreed with that statement.”

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