Brother André, born Alfred Bessette, faith healer, religious counsellor at St-Grégoire-d'Iberville, Canada East 9 Aug 1845; at Montréal 6 Jan 1937. Although he was functionally illiterate, unimposing in speech and stature and never advanced beyond the most lowly positions within his religious order, the Congregation of the Holy Cross (CSC), Brother André became the most popular religious figure in Québec in the 20th century. Tens of thousands attributed their miraculous healings to André's intervention with his patron, St Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary. His work scandalized many priests, physicians and sophisticated Catholics; but in 1904 his admirers, many from blue-collar families, helped him to build a small oratory in honour of Joseph on the slopes of Mount Royal. Some years later the church arch became involved. A basilica, still Montréal's most imposing landmark, was constructed 1924-55. The church organized pilgrimages and the oratory became the liturgical centre for the Catholic trade union movement of Québec. Half a million visitors still come to the oratory every year - the only major urban shrine in Canada. Despite his reputation as a faith healer, Brother André's primary concern was to promote the worship of the suffering Christ through the patronage of St Joseph. Afflicted by poor health throughout his life, André encouraged his closest followers to accept their suffering rather than to seek healing, since suffering brings one closer to Jesus on the cross. He was declared "venerable" in 1978 and formally beatified on 23 May 1982. In February 2010, Pope Benedict XVI approved Brother André for sainthood, making him the first Catholic Saint born in Quebec. About the Oratory Organ... Precious pipes At seven storeys tall and 5,811 pipes, the organ at St. Joseph's Oratory is an impressive instrument. For Philippe Bélanger, playing it is a privilege he's been waiting for since he was nine years old. At age 28 he's become the oratory's official organist, coaxing beautiful sounds from a machine he says is like an orchestra. Bélanger says he's there to stay. "I see myself dying at this organ," he tells CBC Montreal. The Miracle on Mount Royal Thanks Magik