Father Raymond Desjardins

On Monday, March 30, 2020, Father Raymond Desjardins C.Ss.R passed away

suddenly at the Redemptorist community residence at Elsipotog, NB. He was

75 years old.

Born in Grand Falls, NB on July 10, 1944, Raymond completed his studies at

the Redemptorist seminary in Moncton NB and then entered the Noviciate in

Sherbrooke Québec in 1962. He continued his philosophy and theology

studies before being ordained with the Redemptorist on July 5, 1969 in Grand

Falls NB.

Father Raymond enrolled in advanced studies in theology at the university of

Montreal after which he was given the function of pastoral animator between

1970 and 1980 in the school system around Quebec City.

In 1981 father Raymond undertook missiology studies at the University of

Saint-Paul in Ottawa after which he departed for Haiti to start his missionary

work within the Haitian population. For the next 10 years, he will hold various

positions within the Redemptorist including, Regional Superior of the Port-Au-

Prince district, Superior of the local community, student Prefect, Finances and

Vicar.

In 1991, he returned to Quebec for a 1-year sabbatical leave. But his

missionary vocation called him back to Haiti until his definite return to Quebec

in 2001.

In 2004, father Raymond took charge of Mission Services with the

Redemptorist, a position he is perfectly suited to following his long and rich

experience in Haiti. Then in 2011, he is named Vicar of the Pastoral unit at

Côte-de-Beaupré where he collaborates on the pastoral activities of six

parishes. A new appointment then brings him to New Brunswick where he will

be Pastor then Superior to the members of the First Nations. At the time of his

death, he filled the position of Superior of the Redemptorist community of

Elsipogtog. He had celebrated during this past year his 50th anniversary of

priesthood.

Father Raymond was predeceased by his parents, Alexandre and Rita

(Desjardins) and one sister, Anne-Marie Desjardins-Bossé. Beside his

Redemptorist colleagues, he will be sadly missed by his two sisters, Jocelyne of

Drummond, Rita (Alton Baker) of Medford; his two brothers Allain (Deborah

Petersen) of Calgary, Rhéal (Francine Patry) of Montreal; brother-in-law,

Clarence Bossé of Edmundston; his nieces and nephews Michèle Bossé (Dylan

Bossé), Pierre Bossé (Shannon McKee-Bossé), Christiane Bossé (Tim Pealow),

Myriam Bossé (Sébastien Therrien), François Robichaud, Luc Robichaud,

Camille Patry-Desjardins, Gabriel Patry-Desjardins (Mélanie Lajoie), Cindy

Baker (Sean Patterson), Denis Baker (Danielle St-Amand), Stephanie Baker

(Brad White), Charles Baker (Anick Ouellette) and many dear cousins, aunts

and uncles, not to mention the Haitian and Elsipogtog communities who were

endeared to him due to his zeal, his humanity and devotion until his passing.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church in Elsipogtog

on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 1:30 pm.