Montreal

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At the start of this pastoral year, I warmly invite you to join the entire Church of Montreal in celebrating the 50th anniversary of our diaconal formation program. We will gather on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral for a solemn Mass at 7:30 p.m.

For five decades, permanent deacons have served Christ at the heart of our community. Their ministry, rooted in Scripture and the service of charity, stands as a living witness to Christ’s love for the most vulnerable. I wish to express my deep gratitude for their vocation, for the families who support them, and for their generous contribution to the mission of our Church.

Pope Francis reminds us:

“Service is at the heart of Christian life. In this, deacons are the guardians of service in the Church.” — ­Address to Permanent Deacons, June 19, 2021, Rome

These words illuminate our Jubilee and call us to walk together in hope.

This celebration will be an opportunity to:

  • Give thanks to our deacons for their fidelity and mission.
  • Pray for them and their families.
  • Ask the Lord for the gift of new diaconal vocations.
  • Support aspirants to the diaconate and their formators.
  • Inspire our young people to embrace the essential Christian call to service and charity.

May this Jubilee year help us rediscover the beauty of the diaconal ministry and give thanks to God for this path of communion and hope.

With joy in celebrating together,

 

✠ Christian Lépine
Archbishop of Montreal

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50 Years of Diaconal Formation in the Archdiocese of Montreal: Let Us Walk Together in Hope!

The Archdiocese of Montreal warmly invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Diaconate Formation Program under the theme:
“Deacons, Pilgrims of Hope: Servants of Christ at the Heart of the World.”

📅 Friday, October 24, 2025
🕢7:30 PM: Solemn Mass at the Cathedral, presided over by His Excellency, Archbishop Christian Lépine

Fifty years of service, witness, and presence at the heart of our communities! This celebration is an invitation to walk together, give thanks for the gift of our deacons, and envision the diaconate of tomorrow—a ministry of service, communion, and mission, rooted in everyday life and open to all.

Join us for this jubilant occasion—gratitude, hope, and commitment await!

Download the Archbishop's message (PDF)