Michael Brennan ’69
A prayer for peace. That’s what Michael Brennan ’69 made over and over, first for strangers suffering from illness and later for his own brother. Could a newly canonized saint, Brother André Bessette of the Congregation of Holy Cross, intercede?
“That August, my brother Tom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. As his condition worsened, he entered hospice care. One morning, I walked into his room and found a young man in pressed white pants and a jacket seated quietly at the foot of Tom’s bed. He said he was there to comfort and pray. The next day, he returned. When I thanked him and asked his name, he replied, ‘André.’ That evening, Tom died.
“Later, when I asked the staff about this visitor, I was astonished when they told me no such person worked there. Was it an angel? A stranger with a coincidental name? Was it St. André himself? I still don’t know, but the peace and hope that that young man offered me and my family still remains.”
As we take the time in this season of Advent to prepare our hearts to receive Christ in the manger, let us recall those small moments when we have felt God’s miraculous presence.
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There is no doubt in my mind that was Saint Andre
Beautiful, Thank you for sharing and all the good work that you do.
An absolute inspirational story of Brother Andre bringing peace into our lives at a very pointant moment.
poignant moment
Goose bumps.
Mike, I know you are a saint but it seems you may have met your match. Wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing. Have a splendid Christmas.
What a wonderful story of hope!
Wow! I’m going with St Andre! I’m sorry for the loss of your brother, but what a comforting miracle to see him off.
Thank you, Mike. I’m Tom’s (Mike’s brother) widow and Mike was by Tom’s side daily during his illness and administered him Holy Communion. Mike prayed with Tom to St. Andre Bessette during his visits. At that time, St. Andre’ was not canonized, but Mike felt assured he would be soon. Perhaps the “visiting Andre” to Tom’s room was there in gratitude for Mike’s allegiance and to protect Tom in his afterlife.
My heart…: what a beautiful testament. Bless you and your family. Prayers to St. Andre!
I believe that the miracles God performed in the Old Testament are possible today. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What a blessing for your brother to have saint prepare him for his transition. He must have had such peace. Also, a silver lining for you and your family.
My sister and I had a miracle moment when my brother passed. Do I certainly believe in miracles.
What a beautiful read this was this evening.
I deeply believe it was St Andre that came to not only your brother’s bedside, but to your families hearts.
Happy holidays, may you find the comfort and joy this season that St. Andre intended for you.
What a great story! Our Dear Lord works in mysterious and very wonderful ways! Keep the faith in our Divine Savior! Blessings to you and your family!
G’Ma Mare
You took my breath away with your story and the man in white. God is with us and as I cared for Hospice patients and listened to the stories of the special nurses who chose Hospice nursing. I knew it was an angel -we can say Andre. Thank you for touching us with your story and your family!
Your story of that holy experience sent chills up my spine and brought tears to my eyes. I’m sorry for the loss of your brother.
Beautiful, tears are flowing. So sorry for the loss of your brother.
A miracle!
I am a Benedictine oblate at St Meinrad Monastery in Indiana.
I chose St Andre as my patron. This story has renewed my faith in his intercession.
John Lyons “64”
Thank you for sharing Michael.
I too have experienced the peace and presence of Saint Brother Andre.
I hope that someday you can visit St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal someday. I think you will find it to be a special place, one of comfort and serenity, similar to Notre Dame.
God Bless you and your family.
I agree with Henry on this. The Oratory in Montreal is a fantastic and inspiring place!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of faith, hope and peace. I know it was Saint Andre.
I believe it was St. Andre!
Your story brought tears to my eyes.
Merry Christmas
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story during this season of advent. The power of prayer.
Michael, thank you for sharing your beautiful story of faith, hope and love. Would you be willing to share the prayers you wrote for others to pray with those receiving Communion at home or in hospitals?
Nancy, for sure would love to send you the prayers. If you send an address I will scan them to you. Than you, happy holidays and go Irish.
mdbnd69@hotmail.com
This brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful story. My name is Kevin Brennan, class of 1988. My Father was Leo J Brennan JR, class of 1951, from L’anse, Michigan. I wonder if we could be related somehow. Merry Christmas, Michael.
There is a St. Andre relic on display in the Carroll Hall chapel on campus. He lived briefly in the building now known as Carroll Hall during at least one visit to Notre Dame many years ago.
This is just beautiful and the manifestation of the kind of intercession we believe in and can only hope and pray for. Come, Holy Spirit come. Thank you for sharing this story and for your care of others.
Thank you Michael for everything you & your wife do. ND’72
Beatiful story, Michael. I’m sure it was St. Andre. My great grandmother was a a Brennan from Toledo.
Michael: Thank you for your witness and “shout out” to our St. Brother Andre Bessette CSC. We Holy Cross Brothers have been asking his intercession for years…often with similar results. Thank you for your testimony.
St. Andre is one of my favorite saints. Thank you for sharing this story.
I am a member of the class of 1969. Thank you Michael for sharing the intercession of Saint Brother Andrea in the life and death of your brother time. It brought tears to my eyes.
I know it was St. Andre at your brother’s side. Thank you for reminding us to seek his intercession in our lives.
What a comforting story—-one that many of us associated with Notre Dame can appreciate.
Sorry for your loss.
Mike
God bless you
Lovely story.
I am sure your brother is in heaven with Saint Andrea.
All the best
Jim
Michael, what a beautiful story. It really gives me hope, peace, and faith.
St Andre was really there!!!!
I hope you have a wonderful and a merry Christmas.
Thank you for Sharing. God Bless you and your family. Go Irish ☘️
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony, Michael. Even this middle-of-the-road Protestant found it moving and inspiring! Over the years, I have spent two sabbaticals in Montreal and lived in the Cote des Neiges neighborhood where the Oratory of St. Joseph is located. I visited there often, and learned the remarkable story of Andre’s deep Christian faith & holiness and his devotion to St Joseph. Whoever the “man in white” was, I have no doubt that he was an instrument of God’s gracious provision to your brother and his family in their time of need, via St. Andre’s intercession.
Truly wonderful, Mike. Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and beyond. Ed Kelly ’64
Mike,
You shared an absolutely amazing story, which brought me to tears and gave me chills.
I believe an Angel was sent to your brother and you witnessed a miracle.
May God bless you and your family this Christmas season. ✝️🎄😇
What a great inspiration of God presence in an amazing way.. Advent is a very special time .
Michael, thank you for sharing this story and the reminder of His presence! Sorry to hear about your brother and wish you all the peace and joy this holiday season.
Thank you for sharing. What a true testament to our faith.
Amazing story. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing story! Thank you! And despite today’s unsettling news regarding the College Football Playoff, k I’m going to pray thanks to our young men and women who’ve represented Our Holy Mother’s University as well as its enemies!
My husband, Don !56, is in Hospice care. We are happy to add Saint Andre to our team of saints and friends who are praying for him. Thankful for the ND faithful.
Kathy, Mike Brennan here. Miss you guys at the 5 pm, OLPH. Please tell Don thinking of him. Have ablessed Christmas to you and the family.
Please send morning messages again. I inadvertently discarded your site. Thank you
Your story is remarkable Michael! My brother and I also attended Notre Dame together. I lost him last year to cancer as well, so I can personally relate to your experience. Gos bless you Michael! Lew ’74 and brother Chas ’73