The Archdiocese of Montreal is pleased to announce the ordination of Brother Jeremy-Marie Joly of the Franciscans of the Emmanuel to the transitional diaconate as he prepares for the priesthood.

The celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Saint-Charles Church in Pointe-Saint-Charles and will be presided over by Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal.

The faithful are invited to keep Brother Jeremy-Marie in their prayers as he enters into this important phase in his vocational journey and prepares to dedicate his life to the service of God and His Church.

A Search for Truth, A Call to Serve

Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Jeremy-Marie Joly immigrated to Canada with his family as a child. From an early age, the witness of a parish priest devoted to the poor, the sick, and young people planted the first seeds of a vocation to the priesthood. The stories of saints such as Francis of Assisi and Patrick also nurtured his imagination and his desire to follow Christ.

Over the years, however, he drifted away from the practice of the faith. Like many young people, he sought answers in the many paths offered by contemporary society. Yet deep within his heart remained a profound search for meaning and truth.

That search gradually led him to rediscover the richness of the Christian faith. Through a profound spiritual experience and a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he rediscovered the beauty of the Gospel and Christ's personal love for him.

Seeking to live his faith more fully, he joined the Franciscans of the Emmanuel, a community that enabled him to discover the joy of Gospel-centered service among young adults and those who are most vulnerable. It was in this context that his desire to become a priest emerged, so that he might serve the People of God more fully.

His formation later brought him to the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, where he continued his discernment and deepened his call to ordained ministry.

“He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease”

Today, as he prepares to be ordained a deacon, Brother Jeremy-Marie summarizes his vocation through a verse from Saint John the Baptist that has accompanied him for many years:

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

For him, the spiritual life is above all a path of surrender and trust. More than a personal ascent, it is an inward descent that allows Christ to take a greater place in one's life.

This conviction continues to guide his desire to serve the Church: to allow himself to be transformed by God's grace so as to become a humble instrument of His love and presence in the lives of others.

May this ordination be an occasion for our diocesan Church to give thanks for the gift of vocations and to renew our prayers for those whom the Lord calls to His service.