Most Reverend Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop Marcel Damphousse was born in Saint-Joseph, Manitoba, and ordained a priest in 1991 for the Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface. His faith was first nurtured by his family, schools, and parish community, and deepened through faith groups and retreat experiences that made his relationship with Jesus real and personal. He has served in parishes, schools, and diocesan leadership, always with a heart for accompanying others.
Appointed bishop in 2012, he served in Alexandria-Cornwall and Sault Ste. Marie before becoming Archbishop of Ottawa–Cornwall in 2020. He finds particular joy in celebrating Confirmations and connecting with youth and families, sharing how lives are transformed through the Holy Spirit.
Formal Biography
Born on March 19, 1963, in Saint-Joseph, Manitoba, Archbishop Marcel Damphousse was ordained a priest on June 28, 1991, for the Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface. He served in a number of French and English parishes throughout the Archdiocese before being appointed Rector of the Cathedral in 2008. Archbishop Damphousse earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1984 at the University College of Saint-Boniface, followed by a Bachelor’s degree in theology in 1989 from Saint-Paul University, in Ottawa.
He received his formation for the priesthood at Saint-Paul’s Seminary, in Ottawa. In 2002, he earned a licentiate in spiritual theology from the Teresianum in Rome.
For a number of years, His Excellency taught at the Manitoba Catholic School of Evangelization and was vocations director for more than 12 years. Before being appointed Rector of the Cathedral, he was chaplain at Saint-Boniface Diocesan High School for five years.
On June 28, 2012, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Reverend Marcel Damphousse as Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall. He was ordained bishop on September 2, 2012, in St. Finnan’s Cathedral in Alexandria, Ontario. On November 12, 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Bishop Damphousse as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
On May 6, 2020, Archbishop Marcel Damphousse was named the coadjutor archbishop of the newly created Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. He succeeded Archbishop Terrence Prendergast following the latter’s retirement on December 3, 2020.
Get to know the Archbishop
How did you come to know Jesus?
I am forever grateful to my parents and family, my schools, and my parish community for introducing me to Jesus. My relationship with Jesus deepened with the help of a small faith group of peers accompanied by a priest who met every two weeks. Weekend retreats with Search and To Encounter Christ (TEC) were also instrumental in making the relationship with Jesus real and meaningful.
How did you know you were called to be a priest?
God’s persistent tug at my heart to consider serving and helping others as a priest. The joy of sharing my faith with others was a major sign of affirmation that I was called to becoming a priest. I had at heart to accompany people in their spiritual journey of faith.
How did you feel when you were first appointed Bishop?
There were many mixed emotions. First, a sense of being overwhelmed, not fit for the call and “why me Lord?” approach to the news. Then, I felt honoured to be called to serve as a successor of the Apostles. When you love Jesus and the Church, you are more disposed to help in many different capacities, such as a bishop.
What did you want to be as a child?
As a teenager, I was considering becoming a counsellor, helping out others, especially the youth. Consequently, I studied in psychology during my university years.
What is your favourite part of being a Bishop?
Life as a bishop is never boring. I get great joy in celebrating Confirmations because I can connect with the youth and families in sharing how important Christ’s Mission is and how our lives can be transformed when empowered by the Holy Spirit.
What is one thing you struggle with?
As a bishop, I spend a great deal of time in meetings. I wish I would have more time to evangelize, to accompany people on their journey of faith.
What is your favourite way to pray?
The Blessed Virgin Mary has a special place in my heart, so the Rosary is certainly one of my favorite prayers. Personal quiet time, with a heart to heart conversation, with or without adoration would also be a favorite way to pray.
Who is your favourite saint?
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. She teaches us the vocation of love in simple ways of life that call us to place our complete trust in the Lord who provides in all things.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy watching sports, movies (with popcorn!) and playing video games.
Coat of Arms
The Blue Field of the Shield evokes the sky of the Canadian Prairies where Bishop Damphousse was born and of Quebec where his ancestors from France settled.
The Cross in the Centre of the Shield highlights the heart of the Christian faith. It is red bordered in gold. Its wavy form is an allusion to the Red River in Manitoba on whose banks the first Catholic mission in the Canadian West was established and to the Saint Lawrence, the great seaway that borders the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall where His Excellency was first appointed as bishop.
The Celtic Cross is a copy of the one found on Saint-Boniface’s Cathedral where Bishop Damphousse was rector when appointed bishop.
The Sheaf of Wheat recalls the agricultural background of the Damphousse family in Manitoba. The sheaf is also a Eucharistic symbol, source and apex of Christian life.
The Fleur de Lys symbolises the French roots of the Bishop’s ancestors. In the biblical tradition, the lily symbolizes Divine election, the choice of the loved one. Such was the privilege of Israel among the nations and that of the Virgin Mary from among the women of Israel. The new bishop has been chosen to serve the Church, the people of God.
The Bunch of Grapes is taken from the Arms adopted by the Association of Les Dionne d’Amérique Inc., incorporated in December 1986 and which evokes the maternal side of the family. In the biblical and Christian tradition, the bunch of grapes represents the Christian people, the fruit of the Vine, which finds its life in Jesus Christ. It is a Eucharistic symbol.
The motto UT VITAM HABEANT (John 10:10) is translated as “That they may have life”. Bishop Damphousse has adopted Christ’s mission: to dedicate His life to communicating Life in abundance to all those He met.
The achievement is completed by a reference to the pallium, a liturgical vestment (represented by the three black crosses on wool) conferred on metropolitan archbishops, by the Pope, who shares his universal jurisdiction with the Archbishop in the Ottawa-Cornwall ecclesiastical province, which includes the dioceses of Hearst-Moosonee, Pembroke, and Timmins. The double-barred cross, the broad rimmed galero pontifical hat, and the galero’s ten tassels, in four rows, appearing on either side of the shield are also the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of metropolitan archbishop by instruction of the Holy See.
Pray for Archbishop Damphousse
“As a bishop, I constantly need to make decisions in matters that have great consequences for the lives of individuals and communities.
Pray that I may have God’s Wisdom to make proper discernment and lead others in the right direction according to God’s will.”
