What Are Legionaries?
The Legion of Christ is a religious congregation of pontifical right, founded in 1941. Its mission is to extend the Kingdom of Christ in society according to the requirements of Christian justice and charity, and in close collaboration with the bishops and the pastoral plans of each diocese. Today the Legion has 3 bishops, 889 priests, and 2,373 religious, novices, candidates, and students in the apostolic schools in houses in 22 countries.
To learn more about the Legionaries of Christ, click here.
Our Calgary Legionary Priests
The Legionaries of Christ have made a great impact in Western Canada for many years, serving in various locations such as Edmonton, Vancouver, Saskatchewan, Regina, and the Diocese of Calgary, where they participate in various apostolates such as working with local RC sections, leading retreats, assisting couples in marriage preparation and renewal, working at areas schools, participating in missions, and leading youth events.
In Calgary, several Legionaries spend a majority of their time working at Clear Water Academy as chaplains and participating in school events. Clear Water Academy is one of many schools that use the Integral Formation education model. Additionally, the Legionaries have been assigned as pastor and associate pastor at Ascension Catholic Church, one of the largest Catholic parishes in Canada, with the blessing of the Diocese of Calgary.
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Fr. Daniel Wilson, LC
The Superior of the Calgary Apostolate Community, and RC Women’s Section Chaplain
Fr. Daniel Wilson, LC is an American priest presently assigned to the religious community in Calgary. He pertains to the congregations’ North American Territory (province) of Legionaries of Christ and assumed local ministry with the congregations' foundation in 2016 of their first center for the apostolate in the diocese of Calgary.
Fr. Kennth LeBlanc, LC
Chaplain Support to the RC Federation in the North American Territory, Board Member of Clear Water Academy and RC Director
Fr. Kenneth LeBlanc, LC was born and raised in Rogersville, New Brunswick, Canada. In 1990, he joined the priestly congregation of the Legionaries of Christ in Cheshire, Connecticut. He pursued his studies in Canada, the United States, and Italy, obtaining his Philosophy and Theology degrees from Regina Apostolorum in Rome. He was ordained as a priest in Rome, Italy, on December 24, 2002.
Fr. John Gannon, LC
Pastor at Ascension Parish and Counsellor to the Superior
Fr. John Gannon, LC was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and through his faith journey, he received training in Spain, Colombia, Brazil, and Italy, culminating in his ordination as a priest in Rome on November 25, 2004. He furthered his studies at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome, Italy, from 2004-2006, where he obtained his licentiate in moral theology. In 2016, with the blessings of the Diocese of Calgary, Fr. John was appointed as the Pastor at Sacred Heart Church & Columbarium in Calgary. In 2022, he was appointed as the Pastor of Ascension Catholic Church (Calgary), one of the largest Catholic parishes in the country.
Fr. Anthony Sortino, LC
Chaplain at Clear Water Academy
Fr. Anthony was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 2, 1972. His family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, when he was nine years old, and they still reside there. During his teenage years, he became involved in the confirmation program and later joined the Life Teen Core Team, which ignited his passion for working with youth and families.
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Fr. John (JP) Luxbacher, LC
Associate Pastor at Ascension Parish, RC Locality Support, Assistant Chaplain RC Women’s Section
Born and raised in Etobicoke, Ontario, Fr. John (JP) Luxbacher, LC, is an Associate Pastor at Ascension Parish and the Regnum Christi (“RC”) Locality Support and Assistant Chaplain of RC Women's Section.