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Albert François LeGatt
Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon
Born May 6, 1953
Ordained to the presbyterate June 19, 1983
Ordained to the episcopacy Oct.5, 2001
Albert François LeGatt was born in 1953 in Melfort, Saskatchewan and
grew up on the family farm near Pathlow. He attended St. Brieux School and
Collège Notre Dame, St. Louis, before heading to St. Boniface College
at the University of Manitoba. There he obtained a bachelor of Arts with majors
in Philosophy and French in 1974.
He served as a Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO) volunteer from 1974-77,
teaching French at a secondary technical school in Ghana, West Africa.
Following that experience, he entered the seminary at Le Grand Seminaire de
Quebec in 1977 and pursued studies in theology at Laval. As part of the preparation
for priesthood, he served as an intern at Debden from 1980-1982 and was ordained
to the priesthood on June 19, 1983 in St Brieux.
Bishop LeGatt has served in several parishes including Prince Albert's Sacred
Heart Cathedral, St. Michael, and St. Joseph as well as St. James in Albertville.
He has also been involved in the Diocese of Prince Albert as Diocesan Consultor,
Director of Vocations and Coordinator of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Bishop LeGatt recently studied in the Masters in Liturgical Studies at the
University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
He was appointed the sixth Bishop of Saskatoon by His Holiness, Pope John Paul
II on July 26, 2001.
Coat of Arms for
Most Reverend Albert Francois LeGatt,
Bishop of Saskatoon
Symbolism
 The Color Green
This reflects newness of life, growth, hope and so represents the life of
the People of God, as well as the fields and forests of Saskatchewan.
Ermine
This is the coat of arms of Brittany, the home of his ancestors. This represents
the heritage of Christian faith and Breton culture passed on through the
centuries.
The Sheaf of Wheat
This element highlights Christ’s teaching: “Unless a grain of
wheat dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it yields a rich
harvest” (Jn 12,24). It also highlights the Church’s Eucharist
wherein the scattered grains are brought together and made one bread to be
shared that the Church itself might be brought together from the ends of
the earth into the Kingdom. It also represents the province of Saskatchewan
and Bishop LeGatt’s early farm background.
Swords
The sword is the symbol of St. Paul, patron of the Diocese of Saskatoon.
It reflects the living faith of its people in their own witness to Christ.
Dove
This is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, true source of the Church’s
unity in its faith, hope and love (Eph 4, 2-6)
Motto
Ut Unum Sint, “That They May Be One” (Jn17,22). This highlights the prayer of Christ and the ministry of the Bishop called
to be servant and presider of the churh’s unity in Christ.
The hat with six tassels
The hat with six tassels on either side and the cross are emblematic of the
hierarchical status of the episcopal office.
The bishop makes Christ's mission present and enduring in the Church. He
undertakes
Christ's role as teacher, priest, and shepherd. (LG21)
As shepherd, a bishop exercises his authority in a spirit of service, considering
it as a vocation to serve the whole Church; so that it is all the more obvious
that he is in truth the servant of God and the servant of the servants of God
after the example of the high priest. (CD 16)
It is the bishop's responsibility to teach the word of God with authority
and bear witness to it, to faithfully guard and to authentically interpret
it (LG 24-25). He is to preside over Christian worship in the person of Christ
and dispense the mysteries of God (LG 26). It is his role to gather together
the particular churches of the diocese (LG 27). He is to choose and direct
their helpers in the sacred ministry (LG 28-29). And it is his role to pass
judgment on the goodness and orderly exercise of charisms (LG 12).
Since he bears the office of teacher, priest and shepherd, the bishop needs
the collaboration of the whole community, not only of priests and deacons,
but also of the laity. Lay people are called to take part in the common apostolate
in the Church and to cooperate with their pastors under the authority of the
bishop. Without this cooperation, the bishops hierarchical apostolate is for
the most part unable to achieve its full effect (AA10).
(LG) - Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium) the Documents of
Vatican II
(CD) - Decree on the Bishopâs Pastoral Office in the Church (Christus
Dominus) the Documents of Vatican II
(AA) - Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem) the
Documents of Vatican II
In each diocese there is a council of priests who represent the Îpresbyterium
and who serve as the Bishop's senate. The council's role is to assist the Bishop
in the governance of the diocese, so that the pastoral welfare of the people
of God entrusted to the Bishop may be most effectively promoted.
About half of the members of the council are elected by the priests themselves,
some are members by reason of the office they hold, and some are appointed
by the Bishop.
The diocesan Bishop convenes the council of priests, presides over it and
determines the matters to be discussed in consultation with the members. (Code
of Canon Law #495-501)
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