On the way to the Diocese of Chicoutimi

Translated from the original French version

Laval, September 9, 2025 – The next plenary assembly of Catholic bishops of Quebec will take place in Lac-Bouchette. This fraternal gathering, which will take place from September 15 to 18, will be an opportunity to celebrate two centenary anniversaries in the region.

First, the memory of Father Elzéar DeLamarre, who died in Chicoutimi in 1925, will be honoured. The priest is particularly well known in the region for founding the Ermitage St-Antoine in Lac-Bouchette and the Congregation of the Antonian Sisters of Mary. He was also behind various charitable works for the poor and orphans.

The year 2025 also marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Capuchin friars in the region. By taking over the management of the Ermitage Saint-Antoine, they ensured its continued existence. The site, still run by the Capuchin friars, is now known for offering spiritual retreats and for its artisan bakery, part of whose profits are donated to three local organizations involved in the fight against poverty.

“I am honoured to celebrate these two centenaries with my fellow bishops and to share the history of the Diocese of Chicoutimi with them. The spirit of solidarity that animated Father DeLamarre throughout his life remains alive, and I am proud of this legacy,” said Bishop René Guay of Chicoutimi.

The bishops meet twice a year, in March and September, to discuss the realities and challenges facing the Catholic Church in Quebec. These meetings promote mutual aid, collegiality, and fraternity among the various bishops of the province.

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The members of the Assembly are the Catholic bishops who exercise their functions in Quebec. The Assembly has 24 members, including the 18 Latin Rite diocesan bishops, their auxiliaries, and the Eastern Rite bishops—Maronite, Greek Melkite, and Syriac Catholic—based in Quebec. The bishop of the Military Ordinariate is also a member of the Assembly. These gatherings have been held since 1859.