A New Milestone on the Founder's Path

Since April 15, a new fresco has adorned the Chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament beneath the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. The work is by artist Pierre Lussier, nephew of the late Bishop Philippe Lussier, the first Redemptorist to be ordained a bishop, in 1952. This painting is the ninth in a series of brilliant compositions by the painter; his work stand alongside the superb artwork by the artist Marius Dubois in the two cryptic chapels of the Shrine.

The painting pays tribute to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. An allegory in which each figure illustrates one of the many facets of the admirable mission of this religious order, founded in 1850. It is an inspiring testimony to the social and educational contributions of these great pioneers. Following the example of their religious sisters and brothers depicted in each of the murals adorning the two chapels, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd have made an admirable contribution, through their charitable work, to build our country. The official inauguration of the artwork will take place next fall. If you’re visiting the Shrine of Sainte-Annede-Beaupré, make sure to check out this beautiful tribute by Pierre Lussier at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, located next to the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. (Gabriel Bouchard, General Director of the Shrine of Sainte-Anne)

Holy Week and Easter in Vancouver

The parish community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Vancouver observed Holy Week and Easter through a series of meaningful liturgical and community celebrations, presided over by Fr. Leo English, C.Ss.R. together with the Redemptorist community of Vancouver. Some of the services held by the parish during this year’s Holy Week included the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday; the Veneration of the Cross and a Children’s Good Friday Service on Good Friday; and an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny on Easter Sunday. At the Easter Vigil, 11 catechumens and candidates of the parish were baptised and received into the Catholic Church.

An Update from the Vocations Team

Our Vocations Team has been hard at work over the past few months organising discernment programmes and meeting with young people interested to learn more about religious life and our Redemptorist mission! In February, our team organised a Come and See Evening in Grande Prairie, Alberta and in March, they accompanied two young men in discernment in Toronto. Two more discernment programmes will be held in Toronto and Montréal this May. Please join us in praying for our hardworking confrères and for an increase in vocations in our congregation and province!

A New Province in North America

A joint declaration signed on March 9 by the Provincial Superiors of the Redemptorist Provinces of Baltimore, Denver, Mexico, and the Extra-Patriam Vice-Province announces that these four units will form “The Seelos Province of North America.” The Extra-Patriam Redemptorist Vice-Province will join the Seelos Province as a Vice-Province upon the inauguration of the new province. The Provincial Offices of the new province will be located at the Redemptorist Apostolic Community, 1633 North Cleveland Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. This site currently serves the Denver Province and will also serve the first Provincial Government of the new province. We extend our congratulations and blessings to them on this step toward unification. Please continue to pray for our confrères as they begin and embrace a new chapter in our shared mission of Plentiful Redemption.