By MT Oates
MONTREAL—A sense of purpose and devotion filled the crisp November air as a group of 30 from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, CT departed on a four-day pilgrimage to Montreal from November 11 to 14. This carefully planned trip, months in the making and led by St. Catherine’s pastor, Father Joseph Marcello, and Deacon Patrick Toole, marked an opportunity for spiritual exploration into one of Canada’s and North America’s most iconic Catholic sites, St. Joseph’s Oratory, and its founder, St. André Bessette.
St. André Bessette, canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, was a humble lay brother whose life was marked by unwavering faith and extraordinary devotion to St. Joseph. Born Alfred Bessette in 1845 in a modest Quebec town, André grew up frail and sickly.
Throughout his youth, his frail health often left him little capable of physical labor, and he struggled to find work. Yet, his remarkable resilience and steadfast faith carried him through years of difficulty and personal hardship, leading him eventually to join the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Assigned to serve as a porter, St. André took on the humblest duties. Yet it was from this simple role, which he carried out for 40 years, that he became known not only for his kindheartedness but also for an astonishing gift of healing, one that would draw thousands of people to him.
Pilgrims often sought out St. André’s prayers and left with renewed physical and spiritual strength. It is estimated that that as many as 10,000 cures/healings occurred during his life among the thousands who would flock to him for help. In his deep humility, St. André refused to take credit, famously saying, “I am nothing, only a tool in the hands of Providence. It is St. Joseph who heals.”
As the pilgrims from St. Catherine’s walked through that vast Oratory complex, set into Mount Royal (an engineering feat itself), they marveled at the lasting testimonies of those who had come before, individuals who, like St. André himself, placed unwavering trust in St. Joseph. His small office and the countless crutches left behind by those healed serve as a testament to the simplicity of St. André’s life and the extraordinary power of his faith. The walls of the Oratory echo with the quiet, yet profound faith of St. André, whose gentle presence continues to offer solace and hope to the thousands of pilgrims who visit the Oratory annually.
Reflecting on the journey, Father Marcello commented, “To walk in the footsteps of St. André, to stand in the place where he prayed and served—it brings his story to life in a way that changes you. His faith, his humility, and his dedication to St. Joseph continue to inspire us.”
During the trip, the group enjoyed private Mass in a small chapel close to the crypt of St. André. During the homily of the group’s first Mass there, Deacon Toole recounted visiting St. Joseph’s Oratory as a 17-year-old and being captivated by the holiness and impact of St. André’s life, recognizing how his main contribution, his real power was his holiness. St. André’s work life was remarkably simple; he lacked significant work skills, but he excelled at loving and serving God and souls with his limited capacity.
Deacon Toole said St. André shows us that we can all seek holiness; it does not require extraordinary skills or education.
When asked why she decided to join the pilgrimage, Katie Gray said: “I felt inspired specifically by St. André Bessette to come to St. Joseph’s Oratory with St. Catharine’s to experience the beauty and simplicity that St. André has to offer all of us as a model for us as we strive for holiness.”
She added that her favorite part of the trip was being able to pray at St. André’s crypt, i.e., his mortal remains. On the trip, Katie was accompanied by her sister Megan, father Daniel and mother MaryAnn Gray.
Another pilgrim, Anna Bendiksen, said this: “I had heard such wonderful stories from Father Marcello about St. André Bessette that when this trip was announced, I knew I would go.”
Bendiksen’s favorite part of the trip was “praying by St. André Bessette’s tomb and feeling utter peace.”
The group’s journey also included a moving musical experience, thanks to St. Catherine’s own organist, Zac Schurman. During their time at the Oratory, Schurman performed “The Ascension” by Olivier Messiaen, a piece renowned for its transcendent and meditative harmonies. Messiaen, a Catholic composer known for his deep spirituality, wrote this piece as a reflection on Christ’s ascension into heaven.
As Schurman played, the expansive main chapel of the Oratory filled with the music’s powerful reverence and solemnity, allowing each pilgrim a musical interval of deep reflection and quiet prayer.
Asked about his experience playing on the organ, considered one of the most prestigious organs in the world, Schurman responded: “Sublime. Sublime. Sublime.”
The visit to St. Joseph’s Oratory was a profound spiritual experience, but the trip also included several other stops along the way.
Another trip highlight was an evening visit to Montreal’s historic Notre Dame Basilica, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, which includes towering arches, intricate stained glass, and richly detailed woodwork. During their visit there, they experienced “AURA,” an immersive multimedia presentation that combines art, light, and sound to tell the story of creation and redemption, taking advantage of the Basilica’s extraordinary art and architectural features. The “AURA” experience offered a modern approach to understanding and appreciating sacred space, blending innovation with tradition.
The trip also included a visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The museum’s collection is comprised of almost 47,000 paintings, sculptures, graphic artworks, photographs, multimedia installations and decorative art objects dating from antiquity to the present.
As the pilgrimage came to a close, the group departed Montreal on November 14, filled with gratitude and carrying stories of St. André’s remarkable humility, his devotion to the sick and suffering, and his profound faith in St. Joseph. The pilgrims returned to Trumbull not only with cherished memories but also with renewed faith and a deepened connection to one another. Many expressed heartfelt gratitude to Father Marcello, Deacon Toole as well as Bob Cavallero, director of parish operations at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Bob played a pivotal role overseeing the day-by-day organization of the trip and was joined on the trip by his wife Jeannie.
