Ten priests of the Résidence Angus in Rosemont–La-Petite-Patrie gathered in the residence's chapel on June 4 for a special Mass led by Archbishop Christian Lépine, held in honour of their jubilee anniversaries ranging from 30 to 70 years of priestly life.

In his homily, Archbishop Lépine reminded those gathered that every vocation is, above all, a response to God's love. We answer his call, he said, because Christ loved us first and gave his life on the cross for our salvation. To encounter that love, he said, is to feel naturally drawn to give oneself in return.

Turning to the jubilarians, the Archbishop thanked them for having believed in that love and for giving their lives as an offering to Jesus Christ. At the heart of all priestly ministry, he said, stands Christ himself: "What sustains our perseverance is Jesus Christ." Such faithfulness, he added, rests not on human strength alone, but on the grace of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Lépine also recalled the many priests who, over the decades, served faithfully without always seeing the fruits of their labour. The young adults now returning to the Church, he said, are in no small part the fruit of that quiet and steadfast witness.

In closing, the Archbishop invited the jubilarians to return to the "yes" spoken on their ordination day, a word that pledged a lifetime to Christ. "It is for Jesus Christ that we give ourselves," he said, "through Jesus Christ that we persevere, and in Jesus Christ that we remain faithful."

About the Residence
The Résidence Angus occupies a dedicated section of the Appartements Square Angus, a private seniors' residence where retired priests have been housed under a 2012 agreement with the Archdiocese. The residence provides the Archdiocese with office space and a full-time staff member who offers the priests personal and administrative support; the Archdiocese in turn ensures ongoing pastoral care and organizes fellowship activities with the help of volunteers.

Jubilee Priests of the Résidence Angus – 2026
Dates indicate year of ordination.

30 Years of Priesthood
Fr. Roger Matte (June 25, 1996)
Fr. Yves Robert (December 6, 1996)

40 Years of Priesthood
Fr. Gérard Michael Martineau (December 13, 1986)

55 Years of Priesthood
Mr. Robert Gagné, P.S.S. (Sulpicians) (July 3, 1971)
Fr. Robert Lapointe (May 29, 1971)

60 Years of Priesthood
Msgr. Robert Sansoucy, C.S.S. (May 14, 1966)

65 Years of Priesthood
Fr. Pierre Gonneville (May 27, 1961)
Fr. Yvon Lussier (May 27, 1961)

70 Years of Priesthood
Fr. Jean-Guy Cadotte (June 3, 1956)
Fr. Michel Gauvreau, Fils de la charité (Sons of Charity) (September 22, 1956)

Maribel Mayorga
Press Officer, Archbishop's Office and
Director, Communications and Media relations
Archdiocese of Montreal