Lent Fridays at the GSDM - Grand Séminaire de Montréal - Friday 7:15 a.m. Mass - February 20th and March 20th, 2026

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Friday in the 4th Week of Lent 

Before entering seminary, I hesitated because I felt inadequate. Even in seminary and until my ordination itself, I felt inadequate. For us to be overly dismayed by our human limitations and weakness and feelings of inadequacy has something to do with pride. God offers us the grace of humility, to enable us to come to terms with our humanity and to accept our limitations.

This is for the same reason that the Lord gave to St. Paul when he asked the Lord to take away his "thorn in the flesh": 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9 

Friday in the 1st Week of Lent 

"The kingdom of God is among you." Jesus said. It is within us when the Holy Spirit lights within us the "fire" of God's love. This is prayer, attending to God's presence, his love, within us. It is God's love within us which impels us to be open to our neighbour, to welcome and accept this fire of God's love, and to let his love flow out to others. Each time we accept to "endure" others out of love, we are becoming like Jesus, becoming love. Accepting to suffer by accepting others is a good Lent practice and a good spiritual sacrifice worthy of bringing to the Altar.

Contact me for the audio recordings: fathergilles@gmail.com 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2026 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2026 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Beyond the rules... truly loving God and our neighbour... - Tuesday 12:10 Mass at St. Patrick Basilica Parish, Montreal - February 10th, 2026

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Weekday, 5th Week IN ORDINARY TIME

Tuesday, February 10th at St. Patrick Basilica

For the Gospel and Homily - Audio 

File... please email me. 

Homily Notes

King Solomon as a young man followed through on his father King David's plan to build a Temple for the Lord, but later on in life, he let himself be distracted by the things of this world and forgot about pleasing the Lord and doing his will.

Jesus reproaches the Pharisees and scribes, the religious leaders, for being obsessed with the details of religious observance but neglecting the essence and heart of the Law given them by God, which is charity, the authentic love of God and of neighbour, beginning with one's family. 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2026 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2026 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

November - month of the dead and of the "last things". Creation reveals signs of "intelligent design" causing scientists to become believers. - Friday 7:15 a.m. Mass, November 14th, 2025 at the GSDM, Montreal

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Due to cyber threats from hackers and criminal use of AI, all my voice recordings have been deleted. Phone calls are also a threat: wait for callers to identify themselves... do not let criminals record your voice by speaking first. Contact me.

Weekday, 32nd Week in Ordinary Time

Friday, November 14th at GSDM 

1st Reading - Wisdon 13:1-9

Psalm 19 "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. "

Gospel Acclamation - Alleluia. Alleluia. "Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand!" Alleluia. 

Gospel - Saint Luke 17:26-37

The Gospel and Homily - MP3 file  

Homily Notes

November is the "month of the dead" when we remember and pray for those who have died. It is also the period during which the Word of the Lord draws us to ponder on the "last things": death, judgement, heaven, hell, purgatory, and God's plan of salvation. 

Creation reveals signs of "intelligent design" causing scientists to become believers. Since the 19th century, science has been dominated by Darwin's theory of evolution, but in the past 50 years, and especially in the past two decades, advances in various sciences have uncovered abundant signs of "intelligent design" in the universe, especially in astronomy and in biology.

 As a result, many scientists who previously were atheists or agnostics and held to an exclusively materialistic philosophy, have become believers. We can no longer deny the signs of intelligent design in our universe, which brings us to wonder what is this intelligence which gave rise to the intricate design and all the digital information in the observable universe. 

References to this new branch of science: 

The Discovery Institute in Seattle WA, USA: https://www.discovery.org

The Center for Science and Culture: https://www.discovery.org/id

En français, voyez : 

Dieu : la science, les preuves : l'aube d'une révolution

De michel-yves bolloré | olivier bonnassies

Disponible chez Renaud-Bray : $22.95 

At breakfast, we spoke of Madonna House Apostolate. Here is their website, which provides rich opportunity to explore this gift of God to the Church of lay missionary apostles. It originated in the Church's teaching on "Catholic Action" at the beginning of the 20th century.

https://madonnahouse.org

----------------------------------------------------------------

We must do all that is ours to do; yet we are to practice putting all our trust in the Lord Jesus... with an attitude of gratitude.... 

Some extra recordings of interest....

Universal Prayers and the "Offering of our SELF" - MP3 FILE (2024 recording - St. Patrick Basilica Parish, November 17th, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.)

The meaning of the Hebrew word "HOSANNAH!" - MP3 FILE (2023 recording - prayer over the gifts, the Preface, an explanation of the word Hosannah, and the Eucharistic Prayer in Special Circumstances.)

Exhortation to pray for vocations to the priesthood and final blessing - MP3 file (2025 recording - May 3rd and 4th at Transfiguration Parish, 3rd Sunday of Easter.)

Jubilee 2025 - series of Sunday homilies at Transfiguration Parish developing this theme: We are God's "secret agents" letting Him extend his reign of peace and his power of love through our human weakness. 
https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-lord-will-bless-his-people-with.html

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2025 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2025 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

It is precisely in our human weakness and helplessness that we are to experience the saving power of God's love. - Friday 7:15 a.m. Mass, November 7th, 2025 at the GSDM, Montreal

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Weekday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Friday, November 7th at GSDM 

1st Reading - Romans 15:14-21

Psalm 98 "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power. "

Gospel Acclamation - Alleluia. Alleluia. "Whoever keeps the word of Christ grows perfect in the love of God!" Alleluia. 

Gospel - Saint Luke 16: 1-8

The Gospel and Homily - MP3 file  

We must do all that is ours to do; yet we are to practice putting all our trust in the Lord Jesus... with an attitude of gratitude.... 

Some extra recordings of interest....

Universal Prayers and the "Offering of our SELF" - MP3 FILE (2024 recording - St. Patrick Basilica Parish, November 17th, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.)

The meaning of the Hebrew word "HOSANNAH!" - MP3 FILE (2023 recording - prayer over the gifts, the Preface, an explanation of the word Hosannah, and the Eucharistic Prayer in Special Circumstances.)

Exhortation to pray for vocations to the priesthood and final blessing - MP3 file (2025 recording - May 3rd and 4th at Transfiguration Parish, 3rd Sunday of Easter.)

Jubilee 2025 - series of Sunday homilies at Transfiguration Parish developing this theme: We are God's "secret agents" letting Him extend his reign of peace and his power of love through our human weakness. 
https://frgilleshomilies.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-lord-will-bless-his-people-with.html

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2025 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2025 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Eternity, our Eternal Destiny, is a very great prize; yet we remain preoccupied with this world... what are we to do? - Monday 12:10 Mass at St. Patrick Basilica Parish, Montreal - October 20th, 2025

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Weekday, 29th Week IN ORDINARY TIME

Monday, October 20th at St. Patrick Basilica

The Gospel and Homily - MP3 file  

We must do all that is ours to do; yet we are to practice putting all our trust in the Lord Jesus... with an attitude of gratitude.... 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2025 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2025 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

We Are in the Big Picture of What God Is Doing - Legion of Mary Annual Day of Recollection - St. Patrick Basilica Hall & Chapel - Saturday, September 6th, 2025

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

ANNUAL DAY OF RECOLLECTION

VILLE-MARIE CURIA, LEGION OF MARY, MONTREAL

"What grace(s) are you asking of God today?"

This is the question given to us by Saint Ignatius of Loyola and since then used by Jesuits and others giving an Ignatian retreat. When we ask a specific grace from God, then we are more likely to notice when God gives us that grace. We are being asked to observe, to notice, and to ponder as Mary did.

Our Day of Recollection picks up again the theme given to us on our Annual Pilgrimage, which was to Sanctuaire du Sacré-Coeur de Beauvois - Link to those recordings 

THEME: God's work of salvation is to restore in us the friendship He our Creator first offered to the first human beings at the beginning of humanity.

As you scroll, you will find hotlinks to the texts and audio recordings allowing you to open and see/hear or download.

Here are the complete 13-page speaker's notes with full text Fr. Gilles used today - PDF FILE 

Here is the participant's Journal - brief 7- page highlights of Fr. Gilles' speaker notes - PDF File 

Today's development of this theme:

Talk #1: What's happening? What is God doing? Q&A

Audio recording - MP3 File 

At the beginning of talk #2, Fr. Gilles invited us to come up for a closer look at two contemporary paintings from Northern Ireland - "Jesus welcomes you" - The Two Patricks Home Page: - - About the two Patricks.

Jesus as Christ the King

Jesus as Christ the King: wounded and bloody, yet serene, confident, royal, with a penetrating, loving gaze penetrating our souls with the love of the Father.... 

Mary, Patron of the Aborted

Mary, Patron of the Aborted: her tender, compassionate face lovingly, gently catching the little lives who died in their mother's womb... there is no judgement of those women, but only loving attention to those little lives suddenly finding themselves in God's infinity.... We know that Mother Mary has the very same tender and compassionate face for all women and others who suffered the loss of a child who died in the womb, whatever the reason of the way they died....

Talk #2: Where are we... where am I... inside the big picture of what God is doing? Audio recording - MP3 File 

Q&A Audio recording - MP3 File 

Holy Mass audio recordings 

1. Beginning of Mass - MP3 File 

2. Homily & Prayers of the Faithful - MP3 File 

3. Intro to the Our Father & Holy Communion - MP3 File 

What grace(s) did you ask from God at the beginning of this Day of Recollection? Now, at the end of this day, or in the days following, what grace(s) have you received, have you noticed happening, arising within you as you ponder like Mary did?

God our Father trusts us to use both our mind and our heart to make room for both his mercy and his justice, and at long last, to put all our trust in Him. As we do, Jesus brings us to his Father, and He becomes more and more our Father too.

O my Jesus, I trust in You! 

Jesus shares with us his Blessed Mother Mary to guide us and bring us to Him, our Saviour.

Mary, Queen of Legionaries, pray for us!

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2025 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2025 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Faith takes many forms, but it is always a genuine and personal trust in God. Alleluia. - Monday 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick Basilica, Montreal - July 7th, 2025

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Weekday, 14th Week IN ORDINARY TIME

Monday, July 7th at St. Patrick Basilica

The Gospel and Homily - MP3 file  

Consider this series of Monday homilies as an exploration of "the ways of the Lord" and your personal relationship with God our Creator - May 26th to June 30th and including today July 7th - see the links below. 

Monday, May 26th at St. Patrick Basilica

The Spirit of truth will bear witness to me, says the Lord, and you also will be my witness. 

Monday, June 2nd at St. Patrick Basilica

You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be my witnesses, even to the ends of the earth. 

Monday, June 16th at St. Patrick Basilica

The Lord calls us to live our life, not out of fear, but with trust in Him and in his love.

Monday, June 23rd at St. Patrick Basilica

The Lord offers to rewire our way of looking at God, life, the world, others, and ourselves. 

Monday, June 30th at St. Patrick Basilica

We are often uncomfortable with God acting in human affairs; we need humility to trust in God.

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so please feel free to share with others these homilies and your own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2025 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2025 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +