|
The
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is a world wide
Roman Catholic Congregation of Priests and Brothers
founded after the French Revolution in 1816 by St.
Eugene de
Mazenod to work among the poor. Today we
number 4,440 priests and brothers working in 71
countries throughout the world. Having arrived in Canada
in 1841, the Oblates presently form one of the most
important communities of men in the country. We now
number about 700 men in Canada. The Oblates in Canada
are organized into three sections known as Oblate
Provinces. Oblates exercise very diversified ministries,
but above all we seek to dedicate themselves to the poor
and abandoned in urban centers, in Northern Canada and
in other remote areas of the country. Oblates also work
with immigrants, ethnic minorities and First Nations
people. One can thus find us for example, in parishes,
retreat houses, in missionary formation, preaching,
social justice and other pastoral ministries, and
universities. Our work situates us throughout Canada,
from coast to coast.
"No
ministry is alien to us as long as we never lose sight
of the main purpose of the Congregation: the
evangelization of the most abandoned."
(Oblate Constitutions & Rules)
Oblates also work in missions throughout the world, on
all six continents. There we work for the growth of the
local churches. We are in solidarity with their
missionary action and provide them with various forms of
support.
We
are missionaries living in community
The term "missionary" is often used to
mean somebody who works far away in a foreign country in
order to proclaim the Good News and build up the local
Church. But the literal sense of the word "missionary"
means "to be sent". Consequently, wherever he finds
himself, the Oblate is in a missionary situation:
whether in Canada or elsewhere, he is a missionary.
|