A Republic Day Ordination

Permanent deacon Rev Paul Bousignac will become the Archdiocese’s newest priest on Republic Day, September 24.

The Mass of priestly ordination will be held at St Joseph RC Church, St Joseph at 5 p.m. Archbishop Jason Gordon will preside. It will be the second ordination in two weeks as Fr Antony Buaful OSB of Ghana was ordained at the Abbey Church, Mt St Benedict on September 10.

Diocesan ordinations are usually held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception but with COVID-19 restrictions in place limiting the numbers that can attend, the ordination with be held behind closed doors at the St Joseph parish where the pre-seminary is based.

Following the death of his wife Patricia in March 2019, Rev Bousignac decided to take the final step and become a priest and has been a resident at the pre-seminary.

In February 2010, Rev Bousignac was one of 20 men ordained by then Archbishop Edward Gilbert in the first cohort of permanent deacons in the Archdiocese.

Speaking briefly with Catholic News on Wednesday he said that as a child he had always been “in the Church”, had felt a calling to the priesthood, and even spent two years at the seminary but left. He later married and with his wife raised three children, a girl and two boys, all now adults.

Originally from Biche, east Trinidad, he said other family members had also considered religious life, but they left as well. Rev Bousignac said following the Call now was a “sign that everything happens in God’s timing”, that it was a “time to pray and stay”.

Rev Bousignac, who has been involved in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for over two decades, said his impending ordination is a “great thing as the Archdiocese will have another priest”. But, he added, there is “some sadness” since some family and friends will not be present to witness it due to the restrictions.

He said he was “thankful to the Archbishop for giving him the opportunity to serve”, noting the Archbishop has always said once “you believe God is calling you to serve, regardless of age, He will encourage it”.

The Mass of ordination for Rev Paul Bousignac will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Stay tuned to CatholicTT platforms for further updates.