Path of Remembrance

2025: A Year of Grace and Jubilee

The year 2025 will be marked by a double jubilee, a unique opportunity for spiritual reflection and the celebration of the Christian faith.

The first jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope,” calls on believers around the world to rediscover the path of faith and hope in Jesus Christ. This special time invites everyone to move forward with confidence, to welcome the light of Christ amid the challenges of daily life, and to become witnesses to His hope in a world searching for meaning.

At the same time, the Diocese of Baie-Comeau will celebrate its own jubilee: the centennial of the canonization of Saint John Eudes, founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists). This jubilee holds special significance for this region, where the Eudist Fathers have ministered for over a century, leaving a spiritual and pastoral legacy that remains alive today.

Saint John Eudes: A Living Testimony to Holiness

Saint John Eudes (1601–1680) is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, known for his profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A visionary, he dedicated his life to the formation of priests and the mission of evangelization, founding seminaries and developing a spirituality centered on the love and mercy of Christ.

His canonization in 1925 left a lasting mark on the universal Church, which recognized him as a model of holiness and pastoral commitment. For the Diocese of Baie-Comeau, this centennial is an invitation to rediscover the spiritual and missionary legacy left by the Eudist Fathers on the North Shore—a legacy that continues to inspire local Christian life.

A Path of Remembrance and Hope

Through this jubilee, the Diocese of Baie-Comeau wishes to pay tribute to the men of faith, prayer, and action who have shaped the region’s history. These pioneers, bearers of the Eudist legacy, helped build communities rooted in faith and solidarity. Their dedication is a source of inspiration for deepening the call to holiness and Christian commitment.

In this context, the “Pilgrims of Hope” jubilee is part of a universal effort to rediscover the meaning of pilgrimage, both inner and outer. This dual jubilee reminds us that the path of faith is above all a path of hope—a pilgrimage that leads us to Christ, lived out both personally and communally.

Thus, in 2025, the Church—and especially the faithful of the Diocese of Baie-Comeau—will be invited to celebrate and revitalize the spiritual legacy of Saint John Eudes, while responding to the call to Christian hope, a challenge for both today and tomorrow.

Spiritual Preparation Through Monthly Videos

As part of this jubilee, the Diocese of Baie-Comeau will welcome a delegation of Eudists in August 2025 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Eudes.

To prepare for this event, a series of monthly videos will be released, offering a look back at the history of the Eudist Fathers’ presence on the North Shore while delving deeper into the spirituality of Saint John Eudes.

Here is the scheduled release schedule for these videos:

• December 8, 2024
👉 Launch of the Eudist Jubilee Year.
A video from Father General will introduce the jubilee project and invite viewers to prepare for it spiritually.

• Early January 2025
👉 Video from the Territorial Vicar for North America, Father Gilles Ouellet.
A message of encouragement to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year.

• Early February 2025
👉 Video from the Minganie archives, accompanied by an audio and video testimony from Father Robert Berger, recounting his time in Havre-Saint-Pierre.

• Early March 2025
👉 Testimonials from Venezuelans who knew the Quebec Eudist Fathers.
A video illustrating the missionary work of the Eudists around the world.

• Early April 2025
👉 Video from the Côte-Nord archives, featuring an audio testimony by Father Bernard Cantin about his pastoral experience in the region.

• Early May 2025
👉 Month of the canonization of Saint John Eudes (May 31, 1925).
A video by Father General Jean-Michel Amouriaux presenting the life of Saint John Eudes and his works.

• Early June 2025
👉 Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Testimonials from residents of the North Coast on the contribution of the Eudist Fathers to the pastoral and spiritual life of the region.

• Early July 2025
👉 Video showcasing the various communities where the Eudists have served on the North Shore.
This video will include drone footage to highlight the richness of the places marked by their presence.

🔔 Invitation to All the Faithful
This jubilee is a unique opportunity to renew our spiritual commitment and rekindle the memory of our Christian roots. We hope these videos will accompany you throughout this jubilee year and inspire you to follow in the footsteps of Saint John Eudes.

May this year of grace be for each of us a time of pilgrimage, a journey of hope, and an encounter with Christ!

Denise St-Pierre, Eudist Associate
Project Coordinator