Saint André Bessette (1845–1937) was a Canadian lay brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross, renowned for his deep faith, humility, and devotion to Saint Joseph. Born into poverty, André worked as a porter at the College of Notre-Dame in Montreal, where he became known for his healing ministry and miracles, particularly through his prayers to Saint Joseph. He encouraged devotion to Saint Joseph, establishing a chapel in his honour that later became the Oratory of Saint Joseph, one of Canada’s most visited pilgrimage sites. Canonized in 2010, Saint André is remembered as a model of simplicity and charity.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has decreed that this is a Holy Day of Memorial to be observed in Canada.