Today in Canada we celebrate Blessed Louis-Zepherin Moreau, (1824 – 1901) an exemplary bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe in Quebec. Born rather sickly and undersized to a large Quebecois farming family, he dedicated himself to studies and eventually to the priesthood, enduring many vicissitudes. He was eventually ordained a priest on December 19th, 1846, and proved himself faithful, steadfast and solicitous in him ministry, dedicated to his flock, unsparing of himself. He was chosen bishop by Pius IX in 1875, and consecrated January 16, 1876.

For the next quarter century he was the mainstay in the formation and guidance of his flock: as one historian put it, Bishop Moreau’s diocese was renowned for “the saintliness and happiness of his priests, the close and fraternal relations he maintained with them, his sense of collegiality, the community life that he was able to foster in his diocese between bishop, priests, religious, and laity, . . . the extraordinary impetus he gave to ecclesiastical studies among both his seminarists and his priests.”

Bishop Moreau also founded two religious orders to further the spiritual work of the diocese, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and the Sisters of Saint Martha. After 25 years of episcopal ministry, he went to his eternal reward on this day, May 24th, 1901 and beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II on May 10th, 1987.

Quebec is no longer what it once was, but Bishop Moreau is a beacon of hope, that what once was may one day, in some way, be again. At the least, he provides an example and intercessor for the current members of our Canadian episcopacy, and all of us would do well to follow his lead.

Blessed Louis Moreau, ora pro nobis!

 

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