Podcast Summary: Catholic Saints – St. André Bessette
Host: Augustine Institute | Episode Date: January 6, 2026
Guests: Mary McKeon (Host), Dr. Elizabeth Klein (Guest)

Main Theme

This episode delves into the life and legacy of St. André Bessette, the first Canadian national to be canonized. Dr. Elizabeth Klein and host Mary McKeon explore Bessette’s humble origins, extraordinary devotion to St. Joseph, and his reputation as a miracle worker whose life continues to inspire faith and confidence in God's nearness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Connections & Context ([00:05]–[02:11])

• Dr. Klein’s Personal Anecdote: Recalls visiting St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, Bessette’s major shrine, and early personal encounters with his legacy—even before becoming Catholic.
  • Quote: “Sometimes people say, like, saints stalk you...” (Dr. Klein, [00:41])
• Canadian Significance: Dr. Klein notes Bessette is a modern saint—unusual for her typical focus on earlier saints—and highlights national pride as a fellow Canadian.

2. St. André Bessette: Biography ([02:11]–[06:09])

• Early Life: Born near Montreal, Quebec, in 1845; orphaned at nine, raised by relatives. Experienced extreme poverty and limited formal education.
  • Quote: “All like the Quebec saints... all really poor... all this suffering but all this holiness at the same time.” (Dr. Klein, [04:20])
• Religious Vocation: Joined the Holy Cross Brothers in his early twenties after his saintly character was recognized by his parish priest ("I'm sending you a saint"). Final vows two years later. Served as a porter (doorman), laundress, and barber at a boys' college in Montreal.
  • Quote: “He joked that when he first arrived, his superior showed him the door and he never left.” (Dr. Klein, [05:51])

3. Path to Sainthood: Miracles and Patronage ([06:09]–[10:12])

• Special Devotion to St. Joseph: Known for praying with and over visitors, often using blessed oil from the St. Joseph’s Chapel and distributing medals.
• Reputation as Miracle Worker:
  • News of healings spread rapidly; the college could no longer accommodate the influx, leading to the building of a chapel—eventually St. Joseph’s Oratory.
  • Quote: “Even though he was just the porter... the news spread far and wide that he was a holy man and a miracle worker.” (Dr. Klein, [06:49])
  • At the Oratory (1916–1927), tens of thousands of healings were reported:
    • 250–300 “favors received” weekly; estimated 30,000 healings.
    • Notably, people left behind physical crutches and canes in thanksgiving.
      • Quote: “Bins and bins full of crutches and canes that people left after their healings...” (Dr. Klein, [08:54])
  • Always attributed miracles to St. Joseph, not himself.

4. Reflections on Holiness, Humility, and God’s Power ([10:12]–[15:58])

• Lowly Servant, Profound Impact:
  • Dr. Klein notes the recurring theme of God working through the least: “Rarely is [the Church] renewed by an administrator... It’s usually through the lowly that the Church is renewed.” ([12:02])
  • Reaffirms that education or wealth are not prerequisites for sainthood.
  • St. André as a model of humility, simplicity, and deep faith—comparable to figures like Mother Teresa.
    • Quote: “God can do the greatest things through the least.” (Dr. Klein, [18:16])
• Universal Appeal: Miracle stories included Protestants, underscoring the universal draw of sanctity.

5. Concrete Faith and God’s Nearness ([13:12]–[13:49])

• Memorable Quote:
  • “When you say to God ‘Our Father,’ he has his ear right next to your lips. There is so little distance between heaven and earth that God always hears us. Nothing but a thin veil separates us from God.” — St. André Bessette (quoted by Dr. Klein, [13:12])
• Emphasis on confidence in prayer and the tangible nearness of God.

6. Detailed Miracle Story ([16:01]–[17:44])

• Healing of the Girl with a Crushed Eye ([16:01]–[17:44]):
  • A Montreal student at a convent school crushed her eye in an accident. Two doctors declared it incurable, but after a novena to St. Joseph with Bessette’s blessed oil and medal, her sight was fully restored—confirmed by medical reports.
  • Quote: “She is able to see the statue of St. Joseph... and cries out, ‘I can see’ in the middle of Mass.” (Dr. Klein, [17:03])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sainthood and Simplicity:
  • “If we have the love of God and we pray, that’s how the church is changed. And it’s always renewed by his saints.” (Dr. Klein, [12:16])
• On Expectations:
  • “How could it be that 30,000 healing miracles were worked on this continent less than 100 years ago and I didn’t know about it?” (Dr. Klein, [09:11])
• On God’s Proximity:
  • “There is so little distance between heaven and earth that God always hears us. Nothing but a thin veil separates us from God.” (Dr. Klein quoting Bessette, [13:12])
• On Miracles and Faith:
  • “If we have the faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move a mountain. Do we really believe that to be true?” (Mary McKeon, [13:49])

Important Segments with Timestamps

• [00:41] Dr. Klein’s introduction and personal Canadian connection
• [02:44] Canonization and historical significance for Canada
• [04:36] St. André’s childhood, orphanhood, and poverty
• [06:13] Devotion to St. Joseph and beginning of miracle working
• [08:54] Crutches & canes at the Oratory—visible tokens of healing
• [10:23] Spiritual impact of St. Joseph devotion
• [12:18] Reflection on the role of the lowly in Church renewal
• [13:12] Bessette's quote on God's nearness and the power of prayer
• [16:01] Detailed retelling of a medically validated miracle

Closing Reflection

Dr. Klein concludes that St. André Bessette’s life illustrates how God renews the Church through the humble and lowly, not through status or power, but through simple, steadfast love and faithfulness.

• Quote: “God can do the greatest things through the least. Our Lord chose to become poor and be among the poor. And so we also have to have that same poverty and that same love and humility.” ([18:16])

Recommended Resources:

• The Miracle Man of Montreal (1922)—historical book about Bessette’s miracles, available online ([18:41]).

Summary Takeaway:
St. André Bessette’s miraculous legacy as a humble brother and miracle worker invites all Catholics to rediscover the power of simple faith, persistent prayer, and openness to God’s closeness—reminding us that holiness is within reach for all, regardless of status or education.