Brother Joe’s cross

Elsewhere I evoked the memory of a few Oblate pioneers in British Columbia: Fathers Pandosy, Chirouse and Lejaq. The name of a Brother also deserves special mention. He was the first Oblate Brother born in that region. For sixty-six years he was identified with Saint Peter parish, in New Westminster, as sacristan and guardian of the schoolboys in this suburb of Vancouver. His name was François Joseph Bétancourt but everyone called him by the familiar name of Brother Joe. He was born on the small island of Sait Spring, near Vancouver, on January 9, 1875. He entered the Oblate Novitiate in 1902 and died at Saint Albert, in 1968, at the age of ninety three.

A remarkable influence
In spite of his short stature, Brother Joe gained the respect of the young by his great heart and unrestricted devotion. He trained hundreds of altar boys in piety, punctuality, and honesty. Many former students, who arrived at the top of their profession, doctors, lawyers, judges, and bishops freely admit that they are indebted to the formation received from this Brother which made it possible for them to become prominent! He always insisted on impeccable behavior and rigorous discipline, while rewarding everyone’s efforts and good will. Each year, from 1904 to 1955 he organized a picnic to the beach at Kitsilano, west of Vancouver. When the day came, he crowded the children in an old Ford truck. He gave each one a whistle, a siren, or a rattle, with the recommendation that they make noise during the whole trip. People, at first surprised, stared at this happy band. Then, with a smile, said to each other: “Oh, it’s Brother Joe’s picnic.” The number of picnickers increased every year. Finally, the Brother had to bring these excursions to an end, it was too much for his eighty years.

His ardently loved cross
On the day of his religious profession, Brother Joe received from his Superior the distinctive mark of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, an ebony cross bearing a gilded copper Christ. The priest presented it for him to kiss, saying: “Receive this cross, and may it defend and protect you in life.” From this time, during sixty-five years, the Brother kissed it every morning with respect, before suspending it from his neck. With the years, by rubbing against the cincture which bounded his cassock, the cross showed signs of wear. The figure of Christ had lost all its traits. But needless to say, the Brother held onto the cross as the apple of his eye. It served as a model, support and comfort in his prayers, his tasks, and his problems for the length of each day.

A difficult trial
However, one day Brother Joe almost lost his precious treasure forever. While he was cleaning the church, he had placed his cross on a table, in the back. Two men, more or less suspicious in appearance, showed up. They wanted to meet the pastor. The Brother pointed to the rectory across the street and went back to his work. A short time later, as he was about to leave the church, an awful surprise! The cross had disappeared. The Oblate prayed to Saint Jude for two days, to find it. Nothing happened! On the third day, one of the two men came back. He seemed miserable. Timidly, he explained: “The other day, spotting the crucifix on the table, my companion was overtaken with sudden rage. He grabbed it and went to throw it on the dump at the edge of the city. I’m devastated, and I beg you to excuse him, for, you see, I did not approve of this… You probably don’t recognize me? I was formerly an altar boy in this parish!”

After saying these words, he gave the Brother a package, clumsily wrapped in newspaper. Then, without saying another word, he turned around and walked away slowly. The Brother immediately opened the package, and with deep emotion, recovered his good old Oblate cross. It had been cleaned and polished with such care that the figure of Christ shone as brightly “as a star” in his own poor hands, also worn out by work.

André DORVAL, OMI