The Archdiocese of Edmonton has been marking the winding down of Archbishop Richard Smith’s time as its shepherd with the faithful gathering for farewell events and his final Mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker — the patron of the Archdiocese — and the 18th anniversary of Archbishop Smith’s installation.

On May 1, hundreds attended two events to say goodbye to the Archbishop who has shepherded the Archdiocese since 2007. An open house at Newman Theological College drew well-wishers from across the Archdiocese, and just hours later the basilica was filled for his farewell Mass.

Faithful and friends bid farewell to Archbishop Smith at Newman Theological College.

Archbishop Smith, who has been appointed the new Archbishop of Vancouver, remains the administrator of the Archdiocese of Edmonton until his formal installation in Vancouver on May 23.

At the farewell Mass, Archbishop Smith opened his homily with a light-hearted anecdote about a priest who always found a way to preach on confession, working it into a homily on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker by noting that as a carpenter Joseph worked with wood, and since confessionals are made of wood…

Archbishop Smith at his farewell Mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton.

He then took on a more personal tone, saying the confession he was offering that evening was his “profound thanksgiving to Almighty God for the great privilege of having served in this Archdiocese of Edmonton for the past eighteen years.”

He reflected on the sense of zeal he encountered in Edmonton from his earliest days, recalling the awe he felt upon first seeing the basilica and the faithful who built it.

“That conviction grew and deepened as I worked with you over the years to face many difficult challenges,” he said. “I saw how you seized them as opportunities to be strengthened in the faith and renewed in zeal for the work entrusted to us by our Baptism.”

Archbishop Smith spoke about the enduring mission of proclaiming Christ with clarity and conviction — especially in a world often confused about who Jesus is.

He shared a story about a young girl in a pre-kindergarten catechism class who eagerly told him: “You know, he … he … he got dead on a cross! Then, … and then, … he got up! And … and … then he goed to heaven!”

Archbishop Smith offers a wave at his farewell Mass.

“Not only did the little girl get it right about Jesus,” he quipped, “but also she perceived immediately the need to adapt her speech to the level of my intelligence.”

He ended his homily with a call to continue the work of the Gospel with courage and unity, and a promise of continued prayer.

“Although we soon part from one another, we remain always united in both faith and mission,” he said. “I ask for your prayers, upon which I shall rely greatly, and assure you all of my own.”

Archbishop Smith’s installation as Archbishop of Vancouver will take place at Holy Rosary Cathedral on May 23 at 7 p.m. Pacific time.

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