Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims came to pay a final tribute to Brother André, CSC, to the Crypt Church of Saint Joseph’s Oratory during the days from the burning chapel. On foot, by streetcar or by car, pilgrims formed huge lines from morning to evening. (CADR 12-09a.)
In the days – if not hours – following Brother André’s death, a significant amount of letters, telegrams and sympathy cards arrived at the monastery’s post office. A brief inventory of this correspondence is made in the wake of the opening of the trial for Brother André’s canonization in 1940, and lists more than 700 letters of sympathy.
Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross in procession to the Crypt Church of Saint Joseph’s Oratory where the funeral of Brother André, CSC, is celebrated, January 1937. (CADRG 11-04.)
These letters came mainly from Quebec, but also from other Canadian provinces and other countries, including several parishes in the United States. Their authors came from all walks of life: bishops and diocesan priests, superiors of congregations, politicians, businessmen, mothers and fathers, friends of the Congregation of Holy Cross, etc. Among all of them, the Letter of the Sisters of the Congregation of Holy Cross stands out1.
Sister Marie-du-Mont-Carmel (Georgianna Lorrain): Archives of the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross and Seven Sorrows.
In 1847, Blessed Basile Moreau requested and obtained the sending of four Marianite Sisters of Holy Cross with the first religious of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Saint-Laurent, in the Diocese of Montreal. In 1881, with the arrival of postulants born in Canada, the Canadian branch of the Marianites was transformed and became the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross and the Seven Sorrows. The Canadian community obtained its autonomy in 1883.
The letter of sympathy is addressed to Father Alfred Charron, CSC, the Provincial Superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross and is dated January 7, 1937. It is composed by Sister Marie-de-Mont-Carmel, Assistant General of the Sisters of Holy Cross and the Seven Sorrows2. From 1946 to 1963, Sister Marie-du-Mont-Carmel was the editor of the newsletter of her community.
(Original letter)
Très révérend Père,
En face de la mort du révérend frère André, des sentiments divers et très profonds se partagent nos âmes. Sentiment de vive sympathie pour votre Congrégation qui voit disparaître un de ses membres dont la réputation de sainteté exerçait son influence sur un immense rayon ; Sentiment de joie, car nous sentons bien que déjà triomphe dans la gloire celui dont la vie ne fut qu’humilité et mortifications : sa mort n’a pas le caractère d’une autre mort. Sentiment d’admiration et de confiance : déjà toutes les voix s’unissent pour le béatifier et plus encore. Sa vénération dont on entoure ses restes mortels et le triomphe que lui réserve ses funérailles sont une faveur non équivoque que le bon Dieu vient de « couronner un saint ».
Très révérend Père, veuillez en cette circonstance agréer l’expression émue de nos condoléances et de notre confiante admiration pour votre saint frère André, vrai fils de Sainte-Croix et de l’Église, grand bienfaiteur des populations et apôtre comme il en fût jamais de la dévotion à saint Joseph ! […]
Bien respectueusement en Sainte-Croix,
Les Religieuses de Sainte-Croix,
Sœur Marie-du-Mont-Carmel, assistante générale
_______________________________
- CADRG 13.07.00, Sympathies and official condolences, 85-Hb-47.
- Born in 1874, Georgianna Lorrain made her perpetual profession on January 4, 1905. A professor, novitiate assistant and then novice mistress, she led a long career in the management of her community, notably as provincial superior from 1926 to 1934. She died on March 12, 1963.
