From Near-Death Experience to Spiritual Leadership
Father Susai Jesu's journey to becoming an archbishop began with what could have been a tragic ending. In 2008, just after moving from India to serve remote Indigenous communities in Canada, the priest found himself fighting for survival on a lonely northern Saskatchewan highway.
On Halloween night, during his first experience with winter driving, Jesu lost control of his vehicle. The car rolled three times before plunging into an icy body of water, threatening to become what he describes as a "watery grave."
"My car was sinking into the river," Jesu recalled. "And by God's grace, I pressed the button and I came out of the car and I was running for a kilometre. Almost, I was dying. I was experiencing my own death."
A New Chapter in Church Leadership
After running nearly a kilometre, Jesu successfully flagged down another vehicle and received medical attention. He attributes his survival to divine intervention that gave him the adrenaline needed to escape certain death.
Now, more than seventeen years after that life-changing incident, Jesu will return to northern Prairie communities as their spiritual leader. The Vatican announced on Monday, November 17, 2025, that Jesu has been appointed Archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas.
This massive archdiocese covers over 750,000 square kilometres throughout northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, representing one of the most extensive ecclesiastical territories in Canada.
Edmonton Ministry and Unexpected Appointment
Jesu's path to archbishop included significant leadership roles in Alberta. He served as pastor of Edmonton's Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples from 2017 before recently transitioning to lead the Lac Ste. Anne parish, an important pilgrimage site.
The appointment came as a complete surprise to Jesu, who learned about his new position through a phone call last Sunday followed by an official letter a week ago Monday. He chose November 17, 2025, as the date to publicly announce his new role.
"It was shocking for me," Jesu admitted. "I didn't expect it on a day like that. But it was also humbling to know that, so I spent some time reflecting. I went to the church and spent almost one and a half hours kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament."
He described the experience as emotional, adding: "I know the Lord calls the weak to basically make them strong, to make their faith and commitment surely stronger."
Looking forward to his new responsibilities, Jesu emphasized the church's role in reconciliation efforts. This perspective gains particular significance following Pope Francis's 2022 visit to Canada, where he issued an official apology for the church's role in residential schools.
Jesu's remarkable journey—from nearly drowning in icy waters to leading one of Canada's largest archdioceses—stands as a testament to his resilience and dedication to serving Indigenous and remote communities across Western Canada.
