Saint Brother André Bessette, the first saint of the Congregation of Holy Cross and the patron saint of André House, once said, “A good-for-nothing is good for everything. I never refused to do what was asked of me. I always answered, ‘Yes’ and I finished at night what I couldn’t do during the day.”
André House of Hospitality is a Catholic day shelter established by the Congregation of Holy Cross and it is dedicated to serving men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona.
It is quite a provocation to reflect on the gift of St. André Bessette’s life as we approach Holy Week and the coming Paschal Triduum. He was a religious who was hesitantly accepted to profess Vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross because “though his health is rather weak, the Brother nevertheless remains quite capable of rendering fine services to the Congregation in view of his zeal and piety. If this young man becomes unable to work, he will at least know how to pray.”
What does it mean to be a person of prayer – to serve and love our guests – at André House? Well, in short every day we try to channel Brother André by inviting ourselves, one another, and all our guests, to conform today a little bit more of our heart to Christ than yesterday.
Like Brother André, we are Porters. Porters of the heart. A Porter’s task is not defined by a location. At André House, Porters are marked by key dispositions of the heart: radical availability, hospitality, awareness, attentiveness, encounter, and the witnessing of a transformed life in Christ for all who walk through André House’s open door. Porters invite others into a living relationship with God and with His people as a member of the body of Christ, the Church. The degree to which we see the job description that way is the degree to which Porters love everyone they encounter and will the good of the other.
Porters listen with their hearts docile to the Holy Spirit and attentive to the needs of others. Not all our guests need a meal. Not all our guests need a shower, not all our guests need clean clothes, not all our guests are looking for hygiene products. In listening and genuinely asking, “What do you need? What can I get for you?” Porters engage people in conversation, learn their name, and after a little bit of time getting to know them always end with: “Is there anything I can do for you now? What more can I do for you? What can I do to make your day better?”
Porters follow in Christ’s way, responding with faith and zeal in different ways to each person as they need.
How can you be a Porter in your own place this week, as we approach Easter? Jesus’ Sacred Heart reminds us that the wounded heart is a perfectly healed heart. Fast this last week of Lent from false pretenses, from being inattentive to a suffering stranger, from loving others who already love you back, from not admitting your weakness and need to rely on others, and fast from making it appear as if your life is fixed, whole, strong, secure, and rich in what matters little to God.
Good-for-nothings like ourselves are always good for everything the Good Lord sends our way. Who knows, the more you get to know Christ Crucified in the face of the poor you might even be surprised by Joy and animated by the Hope of His Resurrection. Spes Unica!
Fr. Andrew Fritz, C.S.C.
Published on April 10, 2025
Are you a young adult passionate about growing in relationship with God through faith, community, simple living, and serving the poor? Learn about COR, a one-year poverty immersion experience at André House of Hospitality!
