This handout file picture released by the Archives de l'Oratoire Saint Joseph on February 18, 2010 shows an undated portrait of Brother Andre, who founded Saint Joseph Oratory in Canada.
A small, humble Roman Catholic brother who built a monument that still towers over Montreal will become modern-day Canada's first saint.
Pope Benedict has approved sainthood for Montreal's Brother André, the founder of St. Joseph's Oratory who was credited with miracle healings before his death in 1937.
The Pope made the announcement Friday during a ceremony at the Vatican and set the formal canonization for October 17th in Rome.
Brother André follows in the footsteps of Marguerite d'Youville, who was born in 1701 and was the first saint born on the Canadian territory, almost two centuries before Confederation.
One religious leader happily compared Friday's milestone to another recent Canadian first.
"We are proud," said Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte.
"We won a gold medal at the Olympics. This is also a gold medal."
The cardinal compared each step in André's path to sainthood to an Olympic medal. It was like a bronze when he was declared venerable by the church in 1978, Turcotte said, and like a silver when he was beatified in 1982.
And on Friday: "Finally, a gold medal," Cardinal Turcotte said.
He made the remarks at St. Joseph's Oratory, a grand church built into the mountain slope overlooking downtown Montreal.
It was there in the early 20th century that a young Holy Cross brother built what was, at the time, a simple little shrine to honour the father of Jesus Christ.
Since then Brother André, born Alfred Bessette on Aug. 9, 1845 in St-Gregoire-d'Iberville and orphaned at age 12, has been credited with thousands of miracle healings.
Last December, the Pope attributed to him a second miracle healing described as scientifically inexplicable, a necessary step before sainthood.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement shortly after the Vatican's announcement.
"His canonization confirms the devotion of the countless people who came to him for help during his life, the million who attended his funeral and the two million who visit St. Joseph's Oratory every year," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.
"Brother Andre's life shows us the power of faith and the importance of concern for the sick and others in need.
"In this solemn act, the Roman Catholic Church is honouring a Canadian who achieved greatness through humility, determination and service to others."
Mr. Harper noted that his devotion to St. Joseph led him to build a "magnificent" oratory and that Friday's news "heightens the inspiration we feel on seeing that religious landmark."
A member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Brother André died in Montreal in 1937 at the age of 91.
In 1904, Brother André founded St. Joseph's Oratory, where he lived and was ultimately laid to rest. His funeral drew thousands of mourners.
"He was not a big personality. He didn't have an ego. He was a humble man," Cardinal Turcotte said.
"But he had enough faith to move a mountain."
At the time of his death, the Archbishop of Montreal, George Gauthier, suggested reviving a little known custom of the Middle Ages.
In medieval France and Italy, when people of note passed away their hearts were often removed from their bodies before burial and preserved as a token of admiration or recognition.
It was decided to preserve Brother Andre's heart in a reliquary at the Oratory.
During the night of March 15, 1973, someone removed the reliquary containing the heart of Brother André from its shrine.
Eventually, it was discovered in the basement of a home in South Montreal on December 21st, 1974, based on a tip received by the police.
It was put back on display with the addition of a security system, so that it could continue to serve as an object of contemplation for pilgrims.