Foundation for Culture and Education

Fr. Fadi Sarraf, 1971-2023. May He Rest in Peace

Fr. Fadi Sarraf was ordained a priest of Opus Dei on May 22, 2021, and died unexpectedly on November 28, 2023, while preaching a retreat at the Manoir de Beaujeu in Coteau-du-Lac. He was born in Damascus, Syria, on June 14, 1971 and baptized Chaldean Catholic. At age 17 he immigrated to Montreal with his family.

In 1989 a classmate invited him to visit Riverview, a student residence of Opus Dei close to McGill University. With enthusiasm, he asked to join the Prelature as a numerary member in 1990. After graduating as a mechanical engineer at McGill University, he did a Master’s in Business Administration at Laval University in Quebec City.

Over the next years, he was entrusted with increasing responsibilities in initiatives directly related to communicating the message of Opus Dei of finding God in daily life. After completing his MBA, he became the director of Ernescliff College, a university student residence on the campus of the University of Toronto. In 1997 he moved to Montreal where he started working for the Foundation for Culture and Education as a project manager and fundraiser.

From then on until his death, Fr. Fadi was a regional director of the Prelature in Canada, applying his many human and spiritual talents to the service of God and souls. Through his selfless dedication, he constantly gave with great simplicity an inspiring example of fidelity to his vocation, hard work, joyfulness and care for people around him. He traveled tirelessly to Vancouver, Calgary and other cities where Opus Dei has a presence in Canada, helping countless people with his love for souls and his wise advice. He helped build the expansion to the Centre de Gestion Hôtelière Soulanges, part of the Manoir de Beaujeu, and the Copper Ridge Conference Centre in Britannia Beach, B.C., among other ventures. And yet, in the middle of his numerous responsibilities and intense work, he knew how to make time for the rest of his family and the many friends he had.

The words of a priest of the diocese of Montreal summarize the experience of the many people whose lives were touched by Fr. Fadi’s: “Fadi's all-too-brief passage through my life was all beauty, thoughtfulness, kindness, joy, insight and humility. He has made sure we never forget him!”
He had returned from Rome on November 24, after a six week stay to complete his thesis in theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

On hearing the news of his departure to God, the Prelate of Opus Dei, wrote to the faithful of the Work in Canada: “We must thank Divine Providence for the abundant fruit that we have received through Fadi's dedication, from which so many people have benefited. I am sure that he will now continue to help us, with supernatural efficacy, to identify ourselves more with Christ and make him known to others.”

Fr. Sarraf leaves behind his sister Juliana, his brother Karim, their spouses, four nephews and nieces. And, of course, countless personal friends and Opus Dei members around the world.
Shortly after his ordination, he was interviewed for this website.

You can find in this link the full account.