On October 7, 1999, Stephen Hero was ordained to the diaconate by Joseph Ratzinger—then a cardinal and the future Pope Benedict XVI—while a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College. He was one of 38 seminarians in the class receiving ordination that day.
What made the moment especially memorable was not only the distinguished prelate who presided, but the fact that the class had personally asked Cardinal Ratzinger to ordain them. After the ceremony, the seminarians visited him at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, recalling a moment marked by simplicity and pastoral warmth.
Reflecting on that day years later, Father Sylvain Casavant—then vocations director—remembered the dignity of the liturgy, the fraternity among the seminarians, and Deacon Hero’s quiet strength. In hindsight, he sees that moment as part of a much larger story: the journey of a young deacon who would one day become Archbishop Hero, a testament to God’s providence and the grace shaping his vocation.
Stephen Hero was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 2000 by Cardinal Thomas Collins, who was the Archbishop of Edmonton at the time.
The year was 1999 and I was in Rome to witness the ordination to the diaconate of one of Edmonton’s seminarians. Stephen Hero was to be ordained by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter at St. Peter’s Basilica.
As vocations director, I was asked to represent the Archdiocese of Edmonton. I was thrilled to do so. I had known Stephen and his family and it was a joy to be with them for this great celebration. Little did I know at the time that he would become the archbishop of the diocese for which he was ordained.
When he was named as the new Archbishop of Edmonton, I was pleased to have him return to the diocese.
I had worked with him in the seminary and what I witnessed at the time was a generous spirit and a welcoming heart. He was and is always willing to help and give of himself for the sake of the other.
As rector of the seminary (from 2012 to 2021), he was steady in his ministry gently leading us on the Christian journey with the Lord. His work for Newman Theological College and for the archdiocese was also invaluable. He was attentive to the Lord’s mission which included his teaching and administrative work for Newman College, the counsel offered concerning liturgical norms, and his pastoral work.
It is a privilege to experience the many ways His Grace has said “Yes” to the Lord from his diaconal ordination to his Installation as the 8th Archbishop of Edmonton. May his ministry continue to flourish.
-Fr. Sylvain Casavant, PSS is the rector of St. Joseph Seminary
