As a teenager in southern India, Susai Jesu dedicated his mornings to leading 4:30 a.m. prayer services in his small Catholic village, assisting at Mass and eventually training for the priesthood. This commitment to service has led him on a transformative cross-cultural journey, now focusing on ministering to Canada’s Indigenous Catholics and learning about their rich cultures and historical traumas. Jesu notably hosted Pope Francis in 2022 when the pontiff visited Canada to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in the devastating residential school system that disrupted Indigenous families.
On January 26, 2023, Susai Jesu was consecrated as the archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas, taking responsibility for ministering to approximately 49,000 Catholics, primarily Indigenous, spread across a region larger than Texas. His consecration ceremony was marked by a fusion of traditional drumming and prayers in a mix of languages, including Cree, Dene, English, French, Oji-Cree, and his native Tamil.
Jesu’s primary focus as archbishop is to foster genuine relationships with the communities he serves. He plans to engage personally with parishioners, stating, “For the first year, let us build a relationship.” As he reflects on the legacy of the residential schools, he questions, “What kind of Jesus are we giving today?” This emphasis on community and connection is reflective of experiences he had as a child, where limited priest visits to his village highlighted the importance of a priest’s availability beyond the Mass.
His involvement with Indigenous communities began in Edmonton, where he became known for learning the Cree language and participating in traditional cultural practices. Fernie Marty, an elder from Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, noted Jesu’s proactive approach in learning about their traditions, which enhanced community relations. After a fire that devastated the church, Jesu oversaw its reconstruction, integrating elements like a tepee-like structure over the altar and images of Jesus with Indigenous features, culminating in time for Pope Francis' visit.
Born in Tamil Nadu, India, Susai Jesu grew up with a strong faith foundation laid by his mother. Joining the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he was ordained a priest in 2000. His early experiences working with Indigenous peoples in northern India helped prepare him for his ministry upon arriving in Canada in 2007.
Facing the challenges of remote Saskatchewan parishes, Jesu encountered the harsh realities of winter driving and almost lost his life in a rollover accident. Reflecting on this near-death experience, he recognized it as divine intervention, saying, "God saved me to continue my ministry." This determination fueled his commitment to serve across the expansive Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, often confronting issues of addiction and mental health among the communities he served.
Throughout his tenure in Edmonton, which lasted eight years, Jesu actively engaged with urban Indigenous populations and the homeless community, continuously praying to maintain a compassionate heart. This dedication was exemplified when Pope Francis visited Sacred Heart Church in 2022 to offer an apology for the Church's role in the residential school system, a history wrought with suffering for Indigenous peoples. Jesu noted that many parishioners found the apology moving and accepted it, despite varied reactions throughout Canada.
In November 2025, Jesu was appointed as archbishop, becoming the first Indian-born bishop in North America to oversee a diocese that does not primarily serve the Indian diaspora. Although he is relatively new to Canada, he recognizes the weight of representing a church with a complex and often painful history. He often chooses to forgo wearing his clerical collar in informal settings, understanding that past traumas still resonate within the communities he serves. To those estranged from the Church, he extends an invitation to collaborate in healing and rebuilding trust, asking, "How much can I accompany in your suffering?"
