God's Amazing Plans

As we celebrate the Memorial of St. Andre Bissette, his life stands out as a huge sign of encouragement to us who might be impeded in our quest for holiness by thinking that "I just don't have it." Andre was born near Quebec in 1845, and because or ill health as a child, he was not able to attend school, and hence, could not read nor write, but he had a strong desire to serve God. The Holy Cross Brothers accepted him as a candidate despite his apparent lack of "useful gifts" which might help him as a teacher. As a lay brother, he was assigned as doorkeeper at the College of Notre Dame in Montreal, a post he held for more than 40 years. He was also a janitor, infirmarian, barber, gardner and lamplighter. All simple tasks which he carried out lovingly. He was a warm, engaging person, with a very generous heart; when greeting people at the doorway, he'd offer to pray for their needs. St. Joseph was his ally and answered his prayers. Br. Andre's simple calm and faith allowed God to work through him. His devotion to St. Joseph led to the completion of a church in his honor. After Br. Andre's death in 1937, people who had come in contact with him or had met him rallied and built the magnificent Oratory of St. Joseph which overlooks the city of Montreal. Pilgrims climb the stairs to it on their knees in penance and supplication even today. "Brother Andre", as he was always known, was canonized in 2010.
Who would have thought this simple man with little education would achieve such holiness as to be given the recognition of the entire Church as a saint? It was God's plan, and Brother Andre simply remained calm and found that God worked in him. We might repeat to ourselves in our busyness, "Lord, calm me and work in me." God's amazing plan for us might thus have a better chance to unfold.
Bro. Rene
A personal note: The funeral for my friend, including the eulogy I gave, was a testimony to a man whose life's battle at last found peace and whose accomplishments, along the lines of Brother Andre, touched many hearts and prepared him for entry into eternal life.