Saint John’s Seminary Alumna Philomène Péan Appointed Director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage

Saint John’s Seminary is pleased to announce and congratulate alumna Philomène Péan on her appointment as the new Director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage in Boston’s Seaport District.

A graduate of the Master of Arts in Ministry Degree Program at The Theological Institute of Saint John’s Seminary, Philomène brings to this role a deep commitment to pastoral leadership, spiritual accompaniment, and community-centered ministry—values that lie at the heart of the Seminary’s mission of formation.

The Shrine community formally welcomed Philomène last Sunday, January 4, during a joyful celebration that included morning Masses celebrated by Bishop Cristiano Barbosa and an Epiphany homily preached by Father Ed Colmenares, SJ. The day also marked a moment of gratitude and transition as the Shrine said farewell to retiring co-directors Kathy and Susan, whose faithful service helped shape the life of the community.

Philomène’s journey to ministry has been marked by faith, resilience, and a global perspective. Originally from Haiti, she speaks Haitian Creole, French, English, and conversational Spanish, and brings a rich multicultural lens to her pastoral work. She credits Aldona Lingertat as an important presence in her life when she first arrived in the United States and began her studies in the Master of Arts in Ministry Program at Saint John’s Seminary, a formative period that helped ground her vocation for service.

In addition to her Seminary formation, Philomène holds a Doctorate in Ministry from Andover Newton Theological School and is a Board-Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Her extensive chaplaincy experience spans hospice, trauma, pediatric, behavioral health, and rehabilitation care throughout the Greater Boston area.

A trained spiritual director, Philomène completed formation at the Center for Religious Development in Cambridge, MA, and Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. She has accompanied individuals and communities through retreats and days of recollection at Campion Center and Eastern Point, and has served in ecumenical and interfaith contexts, including ministry with the Taizé community in France and Le Nid in Paris, where she worked with women on the margins. Her ministry reflects a strong commitment to inclusive pastoral care and accompaniment.

Philomène is also the founder of two nonprofit organizations—Monika Foundation and Piayiti (Haitian Well of Faith)—which support migrants in the United States and families in need in Haiti. Through these efforts, and through online spiritual resources offered in Haitian Creole, she continues to nourish the faith of the global Haitian diaspora.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage, an apostolate of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, serves as a vibrant center of evangelization in Boston’s Seaport. Closely connected to the Chair of the Archbishop, the Shrine reflects the Archdiocese’s desire that it be a welcoming spiritual home, especially for young adults, and a place where the faithful are formed to be the Body of Christ in the world. The current Shrine, dedicated by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., on April 22, 2017, stands as a testament to that mission.

Above all, Philomène is known as a caregiver at heart—supporting her elderly mother while continuing to serve with humility, creativity, and deep pastoral wisdom. Saint John’s Seminary rejoices in her appointment and offers prayerful congratulations as she begins this new chapter of leadership in service to the Church.

Saint John’s Seminary is proud to see its alumna continue to live out the call to ministry formed within its walls, bearing fruit in service to the wider Church.