Méo Labossière, C.S.C., was ordained a transitional deacon on June 14, 2026, at Saint-Laurent Parish, in a celebration of joy, prayer, and thanksgiving presided over by Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal. A member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, he was surrounded by priests, religious, fellow members of his community, and family and friends who had gathered to accompany him in this significant step on his vocational path toward the priesthood.

A Commitment to Service

During the rite of ordination, Méo Labossière publicly expressed his desire to serve Christ and his Church in diaconal ministry. He made the commitments proper to this vocation: to guard faithfully the mystery of faith, to embrace consecrated celibacy, and to promise respect and obedience to his superiors.

At the heart of the celebration was the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination, marking his formal entry into the order of deacons as the whole assembly invoked the Holy Spirit.

Learning to See as God Sees

In his homily, Archbishop Lépine invited the faithful to contemplate God's gaze on the world and on each person.

Amid the sufferings, wounds, and challenges of our time, God does not respond with condemnation, but with compassion, mercy, and love. The Archbishop noted that this way of looking upon others lies at the very heart of diaconal service.

Addressing Deacon Labossière directly, he encouraged him to allow Christ to shape his vision, so that he might become an authentic witness to the tenderness of God among those he will be called to serve. This same invitation was extended to the entire assembly, called to live the charity and compassion of Christ each day.

Words of Gratitude

At the close of the celebration, the newly ordained deacon spoke briefly to express his gratitude to all who have accompanied him along his vocational journey.

He thanked his family, with a particular remembrance of his mother and of his late father, as well as his home parish in Manitoba. He also acknowledged the support of his Congregation of Holy Cross community, his formators, Archbishop Lépine, and all those who contributed to his discernment and formation.

This ordination bears witness to the vitality of vocations within our Church, and to the generosity of those who answer the Lord's call. We give thanks for Deacon Labossière's ministry and assure him of our prayers as he enters this next chapter on his path to priestly ordination.

The celebration may be viewed in its entirety on the Saint-Laurent Pastoral Unit's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/jkqyeLu8oGM?si=s4F_BWmX-X0E6dMH

Joanne Dorcé
Content Manager and Assistant Director,
Communications Department
Archdiocese of Montreal