Father Gabriel (Gabriel de Chadarévian) is a religious priest belonging to the Order of Preachers (O.P.) or Dominican Friars. 

His faith journey led him to reject his childhood Catholic upbringing at the age of fifteen while still in his country of origin, Lebanon. 

He became a militant atheist while studying biochemistry at the American University of Beirut. This is where the Lord Jesus Christ converted Him in 1972 through the witness of university students. 

He became an ardent Pentecostal. But he reverted to the Catholic Church through the dazzling discovery of the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation. He also experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1972 which turned his life around giving him the grace of an ardent relationship of friendship and love of Jesus Christ.

Having emigrated to Canada at the age of twenty-three in 1975, he worked for six years in the Ottawa area, got his B.Ph. in philosophy at the Dominican University in Ottawa and then joined the Dominicans in 1983. He has a Licentiate in Theology.

Ordained to the priesthood in Montreal in 1990, he was sent to France for his doctoral studies in theology, with a specialization in the early Church Fathers. 

Back at Dominican University in Ottawa, he taught theology for five years. In 2003, he was sent to Sudbury with three other Dominicans. Three years later, he was asked by his Canadian Provincial (his superior in Canada) to go to Vancouver. This is where he has been since August 2006. 

Having ministered to students at St. Mark’s College at UBC for one year, he was the Chaplain and part-time professor of theology at Redeemer Pacific College (RPC) in Langley from 2008-2011. 

Father Gabriel loves preaching, teaching, giving retreats and Life in the Spirit Seminars. He lives in community in Vancouver with 5 other Dominican priests, at St. Mary’s Parish. 

Fr. Gabriel has been full-time assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Vancouver since 2011.

Today, we wanted to spotlight him as he celebrates his 72nd Birthday! Fr. Gabriel, we wish you continued blessings, Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for St. Mary’s.

Happy Blessed Birthday to you!