(Translated from the original text in French)
Born in Barraute on July 10, 1921, he was the son of Gilbert Lainesse and Marie-Rose Leblanc. Brother Jean-Paul pursued his classical studies at the Franciscan Missionary College in Sorel and the Saint-Antoine Seminary in Trois-Rivières (1936-1942); his philosophical studies at the Saint-Antoine Seminary in Quebec City (1943-1947); his theological studies at the Franciscan Theological Seminary in Montreal (1947-1951); and his advanced studies in pastoral theology at Laval University in Quebec City (1974-1975). He held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Laval University and a Master’s degree in Theology with a specialization in hospital pastoral care from Laval University.
He entered the Franciscan novitiate in Sherbrooke on August 2, 1942, took his temporary vows in 1942 in Sherbrooke, and his solemn vows in 1946 at the Franciscan convent on Rosemont Boulevard in Montreal. Brother Jean-Paul was ordained a priest in Val-d’Or in June 1951.
From 1951 to 1954, he was in Sorel-Tracy, where he held various roles, including assistant director of Collège Didace-Pelletier, discipline prefect, religion and French teacher, counselor, and confessor. Shortly afterward, he moved to the Saint-Antoine convent in Trois-Rivières, where he was assigned as chaplain for various local organizations, including Catholic Scouts and Guides. In 1954, he was appointed assistant vicar at the parish of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Allégresses in Trois-Rivières, then in 1959 at St-Cœur-de-Marie Parish in Baker Brook, New Brunswick, and later in 1960 at the Sacred Heart Parish in Welland, Ontario. From 1966 to 1974, he returned to Sorel-Tracy, where he became superior of the St-Maxime residence, parish priest of the same parish, and vice-president of the parish committee.
After training in pastoral theology (hospital pastoral care specialization), he became involved in hospital ministry and served as chaplain at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital and as a member of the Provincial Infirmary Council. From 1998 to 2017, he resided at the Convent of the Resurrection, where he held several roles until his move to the infirmary at Carrefour Providence in March 2017.
He passed away in Montreal on February 19, 2025, at the age of 103, after 82 years of religious life and 73 years of priesthood.
