Asia

In 1847, St Eugene de Mazenod responded to the call to send Oblate missionaries to the small island nation of Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka). These four missionaries began the Oblate presence in Asia and began the mission of evangelizing the poor and abandoned in this part of the world. Immediately, they began to learn local languages and customs, working alongside the youth, the labourers and the disadvantaged. The Oblate mission in Sri Lanka has for more than 150 years been the genesis of many other missions across Asia.

Today, the Missionary Oblates are present across Asia in the following countries: Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Turkmenistan.

“We are a missionary Congregation…We preach the Gospel among people who have not yet received it and help them see their own values in its light. Where the Church is already established, our commitment is to those groups it touches least. Wherever we work, our mission is especially to those people whose condition cries out for salvation…These are the poor with their many faces; we give them our preference.” - OMI Constitutions & Rules, C. 5

From the beginning, the Oblate mission in Asia had a strong focus on education and ministry amongst youth. Today, across several of our missions, education ministry continues to be important with many Oblates working in schools, universities and institutes of higher learning. In several areas of Asia, the Oblates continue their original work of preaching popular missions, as well as working in parishes and shrines. In all of Asia, the missionary Oblates have learnt to work amongst a plurality of cultures, religions and political situations.

Several Asian countries have known periods of war, civil unrest and extreme poverty. The missionary Oblates have always extended themselves to respond to the deepest needs of the poor. In many parts of Asia, Oblates work in counselling, healthcare, youth work, rehabilitation, peace-building and interreligious dialogue. From enormous modern cities like Beijing and Seoul, to the remote islands of Jolo and Java. From the jungles of Thailand and Laos to the deserts of Turkmenistan. The Missionary Oblates dare to go where no one else will.

The story of Fr Michael Rodrigo OMI, a missionary of interreligious dialogue and a martyr for freedom in Sri Lanka

Two examples of Oblates ministering amongst the poorest and most abandoned; Fr John Wotherspoon OMI in Hong Kong and Fr Vincenzo Bordo OMI in South Korea.