On this auspicious day, Father Jacek OMI, the esteemed Provincial of Assumption Province, is delighted to inaugurate our brand-new website. We extend a warm welcome to all members of our community and beyond as we embark on this exciting digital journey together.

In the spirit of fostering connectivity and information-sharing, we are proud to announce that our website will serve as a dynamic platform for daily updates regarding the latest developments within our cherished faith communities. From transformative changes within our parishes to a wealth of additional compelling content on our missions, we invite you to stay tuned and remain engaged as we unveil a multitude of exciting initiatives in the days and weeks ahead.

This online portal represents a significant milestone in our commitment to engaging communication and outreach, designed to keep you informed and engaged with the ongoing activities and endeavors of Assumption Province. As we move forward, we look forward to your active participation and feedback, ensuring that our digital presence remains an invaluable resource for all who seek to connect with us.

We sincerely hope that this website becomes a source of inspiration, information, and unity, strengthening the bonds that bind our community together. Together, let us embark on this new chapter, embracing the power of technology to amplify our collective voice and mission.

On December 8th, 2013, approximately 4,000 members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate worldwide will commence their Oblate Triennium, an intensive three-year period of preparation leading up to the 200th anniversary of the founding of their congregation. This religious community was established by St. Eugene de Mazenod in France in 1816, with the first Oblate missionaries arriving in Canada in 1841. Today, they operate in 68 countries, including Canada, where they have three Provinces and an estimated 500 members serving in a variety of ministries.

The Triennium celebration program planned by the Assumption Province will center around three areas: the renewal of Oblate life, Oblate youth ministry, and parish ministry. More information on this time of preparation can be found on our Jubilee tab.

On December 8th, 2013, about 4,000 Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate began their Oblate Triennium, a three-year preparation for the 200th Anniversary of the Establishment of their Congregation. Fr. Superior General Louis Lougen said that this jubilee is a holy time for each Oblate and all those associated with them.

Over 140 priests and lay associates gathered at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga on December 9th, 2013, to commemorate this special occasion with Holy Eucharist presided over by Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto, William McGrattan. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate from the Toronto district and other religious and diocesan priests from the Toronto area also concelebrated.

Guests included the Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Honourary Oblates, parents and families of Oblates, and people of good will who support and promote the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. At the end of Mass, Fr. Marian Gil OMI presented two individuals, Mr. Mark Garczynski and Mr. Paul Fletcher, with the Crystal Oblate Madonna Award for their contributions to promoting the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod and dedication to the mission of Assumption Province. The Holy Eucharist was followed by a formal sit-down lunch.

The program for Triennium celebrations in Assumption Province will focus on three areas: Renewal of Oblate Life, Oblate Youth Ministry, and Parish Ministry. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Assumption Province, ask all people of good will to participate in Triennium celebrations in the coming three years and keep Oblates in their prayers, that this time of grace and preparation bears much fruit. More information can be found at www.omiap.org.

An article in the Catholic Register about the opening of the Oblate Triennium can be found here.

Dear Brother Oblates, Honourary Oblates, and Lay Collaborators,

As we enter the Christmas season, we direct our attention to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. In St. John's gospel, it's mentioned that "He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God" (John 1:11-12). Every year, we reaffirm our belief in this Word, and it transforms us, making us children of God and children of the light.

It's no coincidence that Pope Francis has published his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The joy of the Gospel) simultaneously as we begin preparing for the Triennium. Just like our Superior General, the Pope encourages every person – Christian or of good will – to accept Christ wholeheartedly as only He brings true joy. I'd like to share a portion of a prayer from this document that perfectly captures the mystery of God's incarnation:

"Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes and an abundance of love. [...] Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own 'yes' to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus."

May the Virgin Mary inspire us to make haste to Bethlehem so we can encounter the Child who was born for us, for the salvation and joy of all people. May the light of the Bethlehem Night remind us of the great miracle that God became human and that true love is possible.

May this love be born a new in each one of us this Christmas. Merry Christmas to all of you!

Fr. Marian Gil OMI

Provincial

During his weekly “Angelus” encounter with the faithful, on Sunday, January 12, 2014, Pope Francis announced the names of 19 new Cardinals for the Church. Among them is an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, Archbishop Orlando Beltran QUEVEDO, of Cotabato, Philippines. He will be inducted into the College of Cardinals during a consistory on February 22.

Born in 1939 in Laoag, Ilcos Norte, Philippines, he professed his first vows as an Oblate in Mission, Texas (USA) in 1957. He returned to the Philippines to study philosophy and then returned to the United States to study theology at Oblate College in Washington, D.C. where he was ordained a priest in 1964.

Much of his ministry, prior to being named a bishop, was in education and formation. Among other things, he was President of Notre Dame University in Cotabato (1970-76) and Superior of the Oblate Scholasticate in Quezon City (1979-80). In 1980, he was appointed Bishop of the Prelature of Kidapawan (made a diocese in 1983). In 1986, he became the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia where he served until 1998 when he was transferred to the Archdiocese of Cotabato.

In 1999-2003 he served as president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and was General Secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. He was also a member of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (1991-2001) and the General Council for the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops (1994-2000) in Rome.

1 January 2014

Of whom 47 are bishops and 3 are priests in temporal vows

In the above table, each Oblate is counted in the Region to which he belongs. For example, the Oblates in Zambia are counted only in Africa-Madagascar, although they are members of the United States Province. The scholastics in Rome are listed in their home Region. “B1.” indicates perpetually professed Brothers, and “B2” the Brothers who are still in first formation. PD refers to an Oblate Brother who is a permanent deacon.

Summary (as of January 1, 2014)

Personnel by Unit (as of December 31, 2013)

The next table shows the number of Oblates according to the Unit to which they belong. For example, all the Oblates attached to the Zambia Delegation are listed there, even though they are juridically members of the United States Province, or may be temporarily living elsewhere. Some of the Zambian scholastics are in Cedara, others in the U.S. etc.

Key: Card.= Cardinal; Ar.Ep.= Archbishop; Ep.= Bishop; Pr.Ap= Prefect Apostolic; Fr.= Father; Br.= Brother; Br.T.= Brother with temp. vows; Fr.T.= Father without Oblation No.; Sc.P.= Scolastics with perp. vows; Sc.T.= Scolastics with temp. vows; Deac.= Perm. Deac.

Fr. Francois Dyjak OMI passed away on March 3, 2014 from a heart attack in Vancouver, Canada. He was 73 years old. Below are the funeral arrangements which will take place in the Toronto area.

Rosary will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Mississauga, immediately followed by the funeral mass and burial at Assumption Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express their sympathy are asked to make a donation to the Assumption Mission Centre in honour of the late Fr. Francois.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.

Catholic Family Radio invites you to a Gala Concert on the Occasion of the Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II on May 3, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Exhibition Place in Toronto. The Honourary Patron of this event is Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto. This unforgettable gala will bring together Canadian soloists, an internationally acclaimed trio of R.C. clergy from Ireland called THE PRIESTS featuring Fr. Eugene O’Hagan, Fr. Martin O’Hagan, Fr. David Delargy, a Canadian Choir and the symphony orchestra Toronto Sinfonietta, conducted by Matthew Jaskiewicz. Throughout the gala concert there will be video excerpts from various events and pilgrimages of John Paul II. Ticket reservations can be made at www.radiorodzina.com or (416) 588-0555.

Christ is Risen, Alleluia! Truly Risen, Alleluia!

Dear Lay Collaborators and Supporters of the Missionary Oblates,

As we begin Holy Week, a time of preparation for the celebrations of the Pascal mysteries and as the entire Church is preparing for the canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII, I would like to take this opportunity and wish you a Happy Easter!

May the Risen Christ continue to inspire us in our spiritual life. May His gift of peace, joy and freedom dwell in our hearts. May the Risen Lord help us to grow in our relationship with Him in order to become His witnesses. May these two great pillars of the Church, John Paul II and John XXIII, be examples for us in our Christian life and evangelization zeal.

Happy Easter!

May 1, 2014 Feast of St. Joseph the Worker – OMI General House – Rome

Dear Brother Oblates,

Today, May 1, 2014 during the festive celebration of the Eucharist presided over by the Superior Genera, Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, our brother PAUL PATRICK, OMI, made his Perpetual Oblation and received the Oblate Cross, a copy of our Holy Rule, and a scapular medal of the Blessed Mother. Present for the festivities, was his mother Angela, his sister, and aunt, as well as some 100 Oblates from all over the world, and many guests and friends of the Oblates. Two other scholastics, both from Sri Lanka, professed their final vows with Paul, Brother Amalraj Anthony Aruna, OMI and Brother Sujaharan Bede Keethopongalan, OMI. During his homily, Father General spoke about the three profound symbols that form an integral part of the celebration of perpetual oblation: the prostration of the candidates during the Litany of the Saints, a sign of profound humility and availability to do God’s will, the Oblate Cross that is worn next to an Oblates body to remind him of the boundless love of God, and the Holy Eucharist, which is the actualization of the Lords sacrifice for the life of the world, which all Oblates are called to enter into and emulate in their daily lives. A glorious buffet lunch was prepared by the General House, during which time there was more sharing and singing to complete the festivities. I also attach a few pictures from today’s celebration.

Congratulations Paul!

With prayers,

Fr. Marian Gil OMI