Rt. R. Exarch Habib Kwaiter, BSO
(1924 – 2009)
Biography
- July 28, 1924– Born in Damascus, Syria, to Ibrahim and Marie Kwaiter. Made his elementary studies at the Lazaristes Sisters and the Patriarchal College in Damascus.
- September 21, 1936– Entered the Seminary of the Holy Savior Monastery, Saida, Lebanon, and was given the name of Justin.
- August 15, 1942– Professed first religious vows, and solemn vows on 30 April 1946 and became a member of the the Basilian Salvatorian Order (BSO)
- July 24, 1949– Ordained priest by the Archbishop of Saida, His Excellency Basil Khoury after he completed his courses in Philosophy and Theology.
- 1949-1952– Teacher of French, Greek and Music in the Seminary and Supervisor for the boarding school at Holy Savior Monastery.
- 1952-1957– Principal of the “Youssoufia” school in Cairo, Egypt.
- 1957-1965– Principal of the “Greek Catholic” school in Alexandria, Egypt, until June 1965.
- August 24, 1965– Arrived in Montreal, Canada, to assist Msgr. George Coriaty in St. Sauveur Parish.
- September 26, 1969– Nominated administrator of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Ottawa.
- January 1, 1970– Nominated Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Ottawa.
- November 21, 1971– Elevated to the rank of “Economos” by His Beatitude Maximos V Hakim on the occasion of the full payment and burning of the church mortgage by His Exc. Joseph-Aurèle Plourde, Archbishop of Ottawa.
- March 30, 1980– Erected the new Sts. Peter & Paul complex.
- June 28, 1981– Dedicated the new church.
- November 25, 1986– Celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Parish.
- July 1, 1992– Received the Governor General of Canada Award.
- June 24, 1994– Elevated to the Rank of Patriarchal Exarch.
- August 28, 1994– Received the Cedar of Lebanon Medal Award, and celebrated the Silver Jubilee of service to the Parish.
- 2009– Retired after 60 years of faithful and faith-filled priesthood, serving God and His people.
- December 17, 2009– The Right Reverend Exarch Habib Kwaiter, B.S.O fell asleep in the Lord.
“O Christ God, with the Saints grant rest to the soul of your servant, The Right Reverend Exarch Habib in a place where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing, but everlasting life.”
