In the Octave of Easter the Provincial of Assumption Province took the time to visit the mission of Naujaat, Nunavut which is located in the Arcric Circle. This is the mission on which Fr. Daniel Szwarc OMI works and will be the future mission of Fr. Zbigniew Halemba OMI who has already arrived at the mission. Our Lady of the Snows was founded in 1933 and has a history linked with the very first Oblates in the north. Father Emmanuel Duplain OMI (1892-1972) visited the Inuit of Repulse Bay in 1925, arriving by dog sled from Chesterfield Inlet, with Henry Udjuk and Charles Innuksuk as his guides. He stayed there for 10 days as a guest of the Hudson Bay Company. During that time he preached the gospel and took care of few sick. Later, in 1931 and 1932 the place was visited by Fr. Armand Clabaut OMI. 1933 the mission was founded and Fr. Clabaut was asked to take it in charge. Next Father Theophile Didier OMI (1910-1986) was in charge of the mission since 1947. He spoke the Inuktituk language perfectly. Remembered for his sense of humour and love for the people, he is one of the official translators of the Bible into Inuktituk. Since then many other Oblates served in their place, Fr. Armand Clabaut, 1933-1938 and many others until the arrival of Fr. Daniel Szwarc who served here since 2007 until today.

Repulse Bay is called in Inuktituk Naujat (ᓇᐅᔭᑦ) with reference to the multitude of seagulls coming each summer from the south. The origin of the name Repulse is not sure. Some attribute it to an unknown captain of the early 18th century, who blocked by the ice was obliged to turn back. He would call the Bay “the one that repulses”. Others believe that the name of the Bay comes from an English vessel called “Repulse”, patrolling the waters of Hudson Bay in 1742. The place holds also the memory of traveler Dr. John Rae, who sailed in the bay of Repulse in 1846 and later during the winter went around the country as far as Kugaaruk. Fr. Jacek will stay here until Friday April 6th in order to come to know the people here and the needs of the mission.

(Fr. Jacek Nosowicz OMI, Fr. Marcin Serwin OMI)