Reverend Father Cyprien Emile was born on April 15, 1968, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is the third of six children born to Jean Denis Emile, a tailor from Jérémie, and Estelle Emile (née Augustin), a housewife. As a child, Father Emile reenacted Mass celebrations with his younger brother as the altar server, his sisters as choir director and usher, and dolls as parishioners. During his teenage years, he showcased remarkable skills in architecture and art, crafting scale models of houses, cars, and churches from materials like concrete and matchboxes. His talents were highlighted when he designed and built Christmas cribs for his local church, earning him the title "Master Builder of the Christmas Crib" (Met Crèche La).
Even before entering the Grand Seminary, Father Emile and his family were actively engaged in their neighborhood church of St. Michael in Fontamara, Haiti. They organized fundraising events, educational summer activities for youth, and various community gatherings that brought together both Catholic and non-Catholic members in joyful pursuits for the benefit of their church and community. His passion for music and liturgy inspired him to create and promote youth choirs like "Les Petits Chanteurs de St Michel" and "Chorale Voix d’Emmanuel," as well as an all-men's choir specializing in Latin Gregorian chant, "Choeur D’hommes." Following in his father's footsteps, Father Emile participated in evangelization campaigns known as Catholic block parties (Misyon Katié), which included gospel music, songs, and Bible study, with his father as the leader. As a seminarian, he traveled throughout Haiti, evangelizing and helping to establish various church bodies that continue to thrive today.
He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Theology and Philosophy from the Grand Seminary Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince in 2002 and was ordained in October 2003 by Archbishop Serge Miot, also from Jérémie, for the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince. His pastoral assignments include Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of Port-au-Prince (2003-2005), Holy Innocents Church in Brooklyn (2005-2009), Our Lady of Grace in the Bronx (2009-2013), St. Joseph Church in Spring Valley, NY (2013-2018), St. Joseph Church in Kingston, NY (2018-2024), and he currently serves as Parochial Vicar at Holy Name of Jesus – St. Gregory the Great.