1845
August 9, Alfred Bessette is born to a poor family
near Richelieu, Quebec.

1863
Leaves for the United States, where he finds work
in the factories of New England.

1870
Returns to Canada and is accepted as a novice
at the Collège Notre-Dame in Montreal.

1872
Takes his vows and adopts the name of
Brother André.

1904
A small chapel is constructed on Mount Royal.

1924
Lays the first stone of Saint Joseph’s Oratory.

1937
Dies on January 6 in Montreal.

1967
The great dome of the Oratory is completed.

1982
The Catholic Church recognizes a miracle he performed and beatifies him as the Blessed Brother André.

2010
Pope Benedict XVI proclaims the canonization of Brother André, Canada's first twentieth-century saint.