Father John Hesse celebrates 70 years as a priest on June 4, 2025.
At 93, Father Hesse is the longest serving priest in the Edmonton Archdiocese.
“I find that mainly you’re happiest if you just pray a day a time,” Father John said, reflecting on seven decades of ministry. “I make sure I say Mass every day, say my prayers. I feel that’s a big help to sustain us because we really can’t do anything without God, you know, and without His grace.”
John Hesse was born on November 22, 1931 in Busby, Alberta, 70 km northeast of Edmonton, to Frank and Agnes Hesse.
He began his studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in 1951.
He was ordained on June 4, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Edmonton for the Archdiocese of Edmonton by the Most Rev. Francis Carroll, Bishop of Calgary
Father Hesse served at various rural and attached parishes in the Archdiocese including Sacred Heart Parish(es) in Red Deer, Consort, and Wetaskiwin, St. Anne of the Prairies in Trochu, St. Mary in Provost, St. Elizabeth in Evansburg, St. Anthony in Lloydminister, and at St. Michael in Leduc.
He served in Edmonton at St. Andrew, as well as at St. Joseph’s Cathedral (as rector from 1977-1982).
Father Hesse first retired in 1997. Post-retirement, he temporarily assisted in ministry at Our Lady of Peace in Peace River, Holy Family in St. Albert, Santa Maria Goretti, St. Anthony and St. Agnes in Edmonton.
He retired permanently in 2013, although he continues to assist in relief ministry on the weekends!.
Please pray for Father John and all our clergy in gratitude for the gift of their vocation and their spiritual care for all of us!