From the childlike sketches he drew in his bedroom while on timeout to his professionalized work on behalf of the French-language digital weekly newspaper Le Droit, art has remained a core passion for Archbishop of Moncton Guy Desrochers.

“I began with a few drawings of me in my room and I felt that some of what I was (making) was turning out beautiful,” said Desrochers. “I thought, 'okay this is cool.' I then began to paint and start with pastel work. I would create images of people that I know.”

The latest manifestation of his creative talent was modernizing the archdiocese’s coat of arms. This change was long overdue as the emblem, originally established in 1937, was out of step with the simplified and modified heraldic regulations ushered in since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).

Advertisement

“The symbol itself is very old and the design was made in those years, so I just wanted to renew it and make it simpler,” said Desrochers. “When people look at the (coat of arms), I want them to see it as still attractive and contains the symbolism as (the original).”

Moncton’s coat of arms boasts many elements of eye-catching imagery, including:

• The star of Stella Maris, which is Latin for “star of the sea,” is a symbol of Acadian culture.
• The boat is borrowed from New Brunswick’s coat of arms.
• Seven golden oars representing the seven sacraments, which, according to the archdiocesan website, are “channels of grace through which the soul of the Christian sails safely over the dangerous seas of the world.”
• A dove haloed with seven rays that “reminds us that the Holy Spirit watches over the Church, inspires her with his gifts and guides her.”
• The motto is “Ut videntes Jesum.” Translated into English, this phrase could mean “let us walk together in faith - as if we saw Jesus,” or “live as true witnesses, for when we look at you - it is as if we see Jesus.”

Desrochers’ efforts for his 48-member-parish community to see Jesus transcends far above using his capacity with graphic design.

In the aftermath of the archdiocese raising $5.4 million before Dec. 29, 2023, to pay off the remainder of its historical abuse claims, the 68-year-old prelate embarked upon a diocesan renewal project.

First, Desrochers, who shepherded the Diocese of Pembroke from 2020 to 2023, established a 12-member evangelization team praying over each stage of this revitalization effort expected to gather momentum over the next several years.

Advertisement

Next, the product of Gatineau, Que. tasked deaneries to conduct a comprehensive structural audit of the parish units. Finalized reports are slated to be submitted to Desrochers by the end of this month. The findings of this work very well could lead to a restructuring process that could see certain parishes close.

Desrochers pledged that every Moncton Catholic will have their voices heard throughout this unfolding process.

“I want the people to give me their reaction and suggestions,” said Desrochers.  “Once I have that we can proceed later on once everybody's on the same train of thought with the path of restructuring.”

Desrochers also answered affirmatively when asked by The Catholic Register if he intends to follow the proper canonical procedure for closing a parish if that eventuality arises.

Following the completion of the reorganization phase, each parish will embark upon completing an evangelization program.

Though the member churches will be empowered to imbue their respective renewals with community-customized flourishes, Desrochers spotlight some of the many resources that have already been established and are promoted by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Office for Evangelization and Catechesis.

For example, the St. Augustine Institute, the Divine Renovation Network and dynamiccatholic.com are a few of the entities offering resources conceptualized for the purpose of re-energizing parishes.

Advertisement

Though serving as a cleric has been Desrochers' primary vocation since his ordination on Jan. 7, 1989, he continues to feed his love of art. Notably, nearly eight years ago, he took a sabbatical of several months to render a portrait of the Holy Family.

 He spent over 250 hours on the oil painting as he determinedly sought to accurately capture the authentic facial character of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.