Donald Francis Blais

On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Dr. Donald Blais, ThD (nee Fr. Pierre de la Fleur), a holy monk and cherished Penobscot-Métis Elder, fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 68.

Fr. Pierre was born on August 7, 1954 in Malone, NY, USA to Frances [nee Sr. Fleurette] and Henri Blais. At an early age, Fr. Pierre demonstrated a deep spiritual magnetism for the monastic life. He was initiated into the Métis Church by his paternal grandmother, setting him apart as the Le Donné de Famille, and becoming the principal-server (Tridentine Rite; later Novus Ordo) for his parish at 7 years of age. He later enrolled at Cardinal Mooney High School in the Collegiate Preparatory Program under the tutelage of the Holy Cross Brothers and eventually took first vows – along with his mother – among the Discalced Carmelite Order, where he elicited extended displays of public folly and various degrees of enclosure.

In 2009 Fr. Pierre co-formed the Hesychastic Society of the Most Holy Mary, also known as Wawasinno Ki’chi Wa Mali’I Waabanowigaan, a Metochion of the Monastery of St. Silouan the Athonite. In 2016, the Monastery was dissolved, and the Hesychastic Society was reformed as a Hesychaterion which remains the first monastic brotherhood founded by and for Indigenous and Autists. Fr. Pierre was especially proud of his involvement with the local Indigenous community whether by volunteering with Br. Lok at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, through street ministry, working for GoodMinds.com at powwows and conventions, contributing to now-defunct Indigenous journal Tansi, conducting feasts, blessing the sick or dying, burying the dead, sitting in council among other situations.

He served 11 years on the Canadian Council of Churches’ Commission of Justice & Peace, often advocating on Indigenous issues, including the residential school apology.

Fr. Pierre had a passion for music. Beginning his musical training in reeds and voice at the age of 14, Pierre was a talented savant, having been awarded 11 New York State medals and 3 preparatory school awards in music. He studied at Boston University’s much lauded conservatory program, majoring in baritone and alto saxophone, oboe, the recorder family, and native flute on full academic scholarship but retired from his music career after 2 years to pursue monasticism.

In 1988, Fr. Pierre returned to university on scholarship at St. John Fisher College, founded by the Roman Rite Basilians and concurrently began Master’s work at St. Bernard’s Institute, both located in Rochester, NY.  He won the Fr. John Murray Award in Religious Studies; was twice on the National Honor Roll (US); was inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma (a society for the top 5% of Catholic intellectuals) and graduated summa cum laude.

In 1990, Pierre entered University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto for Systematics. He wrote a Master’s thesis with distinction; and also began a private practicum under two notable exorcists. This practicum was continued through Fr. Pierre’s doctoral studies completed in 1997, resulting in a ThD in Mysticism (Spirituality) and Developmental Psychology. At that time, the highest degree in theology, it was conjointly conferred by University of Toronto, Toronto School of Theology and Regis College relying upon an Oxford Defense, meriting Pierre a Cambridge Cap and Hood, and again the notation with distinction.

Monk Pierre passed first through the Melkite Catholics (Uniate Antiochians) and served as a sacristan; and then had a successful parish placement as pastoral assistant among the Ruthenians (Slovak Uniates) in Toronto. In the early 2000’s Pierre completed additional pastoral studies in Eastern Orthodoxy and comparative canon law in possible preparation for ordination to the priesthood. At that time, he was blessed to preach, teach and hear confessions.

In transitioning over to Eastern Orthodoxy, Donald was made a veiled Rassophore Monk and took the name Pierre de la Fleur, not only an homage to his Indigenous name, but also after three Peters: Peter the Apostle, Peter the Aleut (the first American-born/Indigenous Martyr), and Peter of Alexandria.

Pierre’s advanced learning, indigeneity, and religious zeal was unfortunately stymied by the Ecclesiastical Superiors in the jurisdiction he was first accepted in. Alas, a prophet is not welcomed in his own country. It was his strong faith in God and devotion to the Mother of God that protected him and led him to an Orthodox Church that was under Her heavenly patronage.  He found refuge at Panagia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where he was able to worship without hindrance.  He was accepted for who he was – an Indigenous Orthodox monastic and academic -  and respected for the gifts he brought to the Church.

“Doc,” as he was affectionately known by his friends and students, taught at St. John Fisher College, University of Toronto, UTM, OCAD University in Aboriginal Spirituality, Orthodox Christianity, Orthodox Acculturation, Christian History, Hagiography, Sacred Architecture, Comparative Religion, Religion & Film and Psychology of Religion. It was here where Doc found an outlet for his teachings and youthful folly. He was twice nominated as Faculty of the Year at U of T and has several international publications to his credit under various pseudonyms.

His great regret in life was not learning more from the two great loves of his heart: Sr. Fleurette, his mother, and Mother Dorofea Mirochnitchenko, his staretza, both of blessed memory. Neither knew of their holiness according to Fr. Pierre and his last teaching was this: learn from the example of the former who was holy in her Simplicity and from the latter who was holy for pretending to be Simple. He will be missed most by his vowed-brother and gwiis, Br. Lok (Teresinski).

A 40-day Panikhida (Memorial Service) was held at The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, September 18, 2022 for the repose of his soul.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Hesychasterion of the Most Holy Mary through PayPal at hsmhm@live.ca or directly to Panagia’s Roof Fund.