North America

In North America, the Missionary Oblates are present in two major countries: the United States and Canada. The Oblate presence in Canada is divided into three provinces that minister to different language groups across the vast country.

The Oblate mission in North America extends back to the founder himself. In 1841, Eugene de Mazenod sent his missionaries outside of France for the very first time. This was in response to a call from the Bishop of Montreal who needed missionaries who were willing to go beyond the French settlements and to evangelise the native tribes of the First Nations. The first missionaries who went to Canada began a long tradition of Oblate missionaries venturing to the furthest parts of the world, battling the hardest conditions and persevering to bring the Good News to all.

At the same time that Oblates were ministering amidst snow and ice in the Arctic, they too were sent to the hot and humid valley of the Rio Grande, which today marks the border between Texas and Mexico. Total opposite conditions, but the mission was the same and the Oblates tackled their mission head on.

After more than 150 years, the Oblates in North America continue the mission. In some places, it doesn’t look like it has changed much, with our priests and brothers still serving parishes above the Arctic Circle, working for reconciliation amongst First Nations groups and ministering amongst Eskimoes and Inuits. Whilst in some places, the mission has grown and adapted, such as the work that Fr Seamus Finn OMI does in ethical investment and corporate responsibility. Fr Seamus is the director of the Oblates’ Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) office in Washington, D.C. He is also Chief of Faith Consistent Investing at the Oblate International Pastoral (OIP) Investment Trust. He has previously been Chair of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and he is an international leader in faith consistent and socially responsible investing and serves as a consultant to a number of investment committees.

“Responding to the call of the Spirit, some Oblates identify themselves with the poor, sharing their life and commitment to justice; others are present where decisions affecting the future of the poor are being made.” - OMI Constitutions & Rules, R9a.

Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie OMI reflects on his Oblate mission among the Cree people in mid-north Canada

Fr Seamus Finn OMI lectures on Business, Markets and the Common Good: the Challenge of Laudato Si'