A Marian celebration of vocations

Faithful from across the Diocese of Calgary and beyond filled the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies in Canmore on Sat, Aug 22, 2026, as Bishop William T. McGrattan celebrated the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary and concluded the Diocese’s second annual Marian Week in the Rockies.

The 11 am Mass also placed a special focus on vocations, as the Diocese witnessed important steps in the formation of three seminarians. Seminarians Bennett Chacko and Andre Boudreau were instituted in the ministry of acolyte, while Benjamin Taylor was admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders.

Bishop McGrattan noted that celebrating these rites at a diocesan gathering offered an opportunity to witness publicly to the importance of vocations in the life of the Church.

Newly ordained Deacon Daniel Salé of the Archdiocese of Edmonton joined the celebration as Deacon of the Word, while our diocesan seminarians served at the altar throughout the Mass.

In his homily, Bishop McGrattan turned to Mary as both Queen and a model of Christian discipleship. “Mary should be the example of holiness, and we should see her intercessory role in the life and the mission of the Church.” 

Celebrated on Aug 22, the Queenship of Mary marked the final day of Marian Week, which began on the Solemnity of the Assumption on Aug 15.
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“She is our mother, and today we recognize her as our queen,” the Bishop said. “She is the first disciple, and she is the model of faith.”

Bishop McGrattan then connected Mary’s faith with the Church’s call to ministry and service.

“It is that immaculate faith that should motivate every priest, bishop, and deacon to serve the faith with great love and devotion.”

That call to service was made visible in the rites celebrated for the seminarians.

For Bennett Chacko and Andre Boudreau, institution as acolytes marked a significant step toward Holy Orders. This is the final instituted ministry a seminarian must receive before ordination to the transitional diaconate. As instituted acolytes, Bennett and Andre are entrusted in a particular way with a deeper responsibility of service at the altar and in the celebration of the Eucharist. ​The Bishop symbolized this by presenting each candidate with the paten and chalice containing the bread and wine for the Eucharist, emphasizing service to Christ and His people.

For Benjamin Taylor, Admission to Candidacy marked another important step in priestly formation. Through the rite, he publicly expressed his intention to continue preparing for Holy Orders, while the Church formally received that intention as he continues his discernment and formation toward the priesthood.

​Together, the rites offered the congregation a visible glimpse into the gradual journey of priestly formation and the many ways a vocation is discerned, formed, and lived within the life of the Church.

For Bishop McGrattan, that witness carries particular importance during the Diocese’s Pastoral Renewal.

During this time of renewal in the Diocese of Calgary, we need to renew a culture of vocations, to encourage our young people to consider and to open their lives to the love of Christ.” ~Bishop McGrattan

The theme continued in the Prayer of the Faithful, which invoked Mary as Blessed Mother, Queen of the Apostles, Queen of Peace, and Queen of Heaven and Earth. The assembly prayed that the faithful might be “encouraged, strengthened, and renewed” in their service of God, and also prayed for parish communities undergoing pastoral renewal.

​At the conclusion of Mass, Bishop McGrattan imparted the solemn blessing for a feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying that those gathered would always know her protection.

His final hope brought together the celebration of Mary, Marian Week, and the vocation rites witnessed that morning.

“It is my prayer and hope that this week of Marian devotion here in the Rockies will continue to promote a culture of vocations."

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Photography: Bandi Szakony, for the Diocese of Calgary.