Born on 2 August 1950 in Orsières, Jean-Marie Lovey grew up in Switzerland, in the village of Chez-les-Reuses in Valais.

Before entering religious life, he undertook and completed studies in philosophy and theology at the University of Fribourg.

[1] On 27 October 1971, he made his religious profession with the Canons Regular of the Congregation of the Great Saint Bernard[1] He was ordained a priest on 15 June 1971.

On 14 June 2009, he received the abbatial blessing from Norbert Brunner in the church of Saint Michael in Martigny-Bourg.

He appointed Father Pierre-Yves Maillard as Vicar General for the French-speaking part of the diocese, succeeding Canon Bernard Broccard.