Pope Benedict XVI confirms miraculous healing
through intercession of Brother André
The cause for the canonization of Holy Cross Brother André has made a giant stride forward with the recognition of a miracle attributed to the his intercession.
Pope Benedict XVI held a private audience with Msgr. Angelo Amato, SDB, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on Dec. 19, 2009. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation to issue a decree concerning a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Brother André, C.S.C.
Born on Aug. 9, 1845, at Saint-Grégoire d'Iberville in the diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe, just south of Montréal, Brother André died on Jan. 6, 1937, in Montréal. He was declared Venerable on June 12, 1978, by Pope Paul VI and was beatified on May 23, 1982, by Pope John Paul II in Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI has acknowledged as scientifically inexplicable, a healing due to the intercession of Blessed Brother André. The road to the canonization of Brother André is now open. The moment finally seems to have come.
Brother André is renowned throughout the family of Holy Cross as a man whose prayer reached the heart of God. The miracle which has just been recognized demonstrates just how much he still attends to human suffering and inspires the life and mission of the religious of Holy Cross.
This announcement followed upon a meeting of the Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals and Bishops. The 15 members of this group gave their favorable consent for the foregoing of the Cause. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints was thus able to present all the currently available recommendations to the Holy Father.