Exaltation of the Holy Cross & 40 Years of the Companions of the Cross

The story of the Companions of the Cross begins in 1984, when Fr. Bob Bedard, then newly appointed pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Ottawa, gathered with a seminarian and two men discerning the priesthood. Together, they sought support and accountability as they responded to God’s call. At the same time, Fr. Bob began preaching a simple but powerful message to his parishioners: “Give God permission!” This invitation to surrender to the Lord’s will soon became the guiding principle of a new community of priests, and it would inspire countless people over the decades to open their lives more fully to Christ.

By 1985, it became clear that God was calling this group to become more than an informal gathering. Through prayer and discernment, the vision of a priestly community dedicated to evangelization and parish renewal began to take shape. Fr. Bob, whose passion for the renewal of the Church was already well known, naturally emerged as its founder. The group’s energy was contagious, drawing young men who longed for a deeper life of discipleship and mission. In 1986, Archbishop Joseph-Aurèle Plourde gave his blessing for the community to continue organizing and growing.

Only two years later, in 1988, Archbishop Plourde formally recognized the Companions of the Cross as a Public Association of the Faithful. At the same time, lay people inspired by the Companions’ spirituality formed the Lay Associates, linking themselves spiritually and actively to the mission of the new community. Around this time, the Companions also began serving Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Ottawa. Today, they also minister at St. Mary’s, St. Maurice, and Annunciation of the Lord.

Between 1986 and 1990, St. Mary’s Parish became the heart of a powerful renewal. The new community was bearing fruit: lives were being transformed, vocations were being nurtured, and parish life was filled with a renewed zeal for mission. In 1990, recognizing the importance of guiding this young community, Fr. Bob stepped down as pastor of St. Mary’s to dedicate himself full-time to leading the Companions.

The early 1990s brought new opportunities for evangelization. In 1992, Fr. Bob and Fr. Roger Vandenakker launched Food for Life, a weekly evangelistic television ministry. The program, later hosted by Fr. Mark Goring and Fr. Terry Donahue, reached households across Canada and even parts of the United States, bringing the Gospel into homes and hearts in a fresh, accessible way. In 1993, Archbishop Marcel Gervais entrusted St. Maurice Parish to the Companions, appointing Fr. John Vandenakker as pastor. This marked another step in the growth of their mission in Ottawa.

In 1994, Archbishop Gervais encouraged the Companions to move toward becoming a Society of Apostolic Life, guiding them through the necessary steps. From 1997 to 1999, the Companions wrote their Constitutions and Rules, which were later approved, giving the community a solid framework for life and mission. Between 1999 and 2001, the Companions expanded beyond Ottawa, planting communities in Toronto, Houston, and Halifax.

The early 2000s were pivotal. In 2002–2003, the Holy See officially approved the Companions as a Society of Apostolic Life, confirming their place in the universal Church. Around this time, Sr. Anna Chan, supported by Fr. Roger Vandenakker CC, founded the Servants of the Cross, a sister community sharing the Companions’ charism. Together, the two communities formed a spiritual family committed to renewal.

In 2005, the community celebrated a milestone as Fr. Bob marked 50 years of priesthood. Five years later, in 2010, the Companions celebrated 25 years since their formation, giving thanks for the fruit borne through parishes, missions, retreats, and media outreach.

Yet joy was mingled with sorrow. On October 6, 2011, Fr. Bob died, leaving behind a flourishing community. His passing was deeply felt, but his vision lived on in the Companions he formed. That same year, the community expanded to Detroit, where their seminarians would be trained for priestly ministry. In 2012, with encouragement from Fr. Ben St. Croix CC, the Queenship of Mary community was founded, adding another branch to this growing family of evangelization.

The following years saw the Companions make an even greater impact on the Church. In 2014 and 2016, Pope Francis appointed two Companions as bishops: Bishop Christian Riesbeck and Bishop Scott McCaig. These appointments showed the trust the universal Church placed in the charism of the Companions. In 2022, Bishop Riesbeck invited the community to St. John, New Brunswick, where they took on parish and Cathedral ministry, extending their reach even further.

Now in 2025, the Companions of the Cross celebrate their 40th anniversary. From humble beginnings in a small prayer group at St. Mary’s Parish to an international community of 44 priests, 14 seminarians, 2 bishops, and countless lay associates, their journey is a testament to what God can do when his people give him permission. Joined by the Servants of the Cross and the Queenship of Mary, their ministry today includes parish leadership in three dioceses, 11 parishes across Canada and the U.S., itinerant preaching, retreats, seminary formation, and a sacred relics ministry.

As we give thanks for these 40 years, we remember the words of Fr. Bob Bedard: “Give God permission.” This simple call continues to animate the Companions, their sister communities, and all who have encountered Christ through their ministry. It is also a call for us, here at St. Maurice, to recommit ourselves to our own mission: to encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and share him with the world.

Welcome Back, Fr. John Likozar!

We’re delighted to welcome Fr. John Likozar back to St. Maurice as our Associate Pastor! Many will remember him from his earlier time here. A former mechanic from Toronto, Fr. John discerned his call to the priesthood through the Young Adults group at St. Mary’s Parish and was ordained in 2000 with the Companions of the Cross.

He brings years of pastoral experience, a thoughtful and gentle spirit, and a love for preaching, music, hiking, woodworking, and Slovenian cooking. Fr. John is excited to reconnect with old friends and meet new faces. Let’s give him a warm St. Maurice welcome!