The word Oblate is a term that many find difficult to understand when they first meet the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Missionaries? Of course, we know what that means... to work in the foreign missions. And this missionary identity of the oblates accompanies them wherever they serve. See for yourself who we are and what we do in the Assumption Province of Missionary Oblates in Canada.

“Our mission puts us on constant call to respond to the most urgent needs of the Church through various forms of witness and ministry” – Constitutions and Rules, 7.

One such urgent need was answered years ago by Fr. Marcin Rosiński OMI. First, though, let's get to know him better.

How did you meet the Oblates and what did you like about them that you decided to become one of them?

I grew up in Kujawy, and from there, as many know, it's close to Markowice.  Despite this, I knew neither Markowice nor the Oblates. At the end of elementary school, I learned about the existence of the Minor Seminary (MS) in Markowice, because the military high school I was thinking of at the time had closed. After several visits and conversations with Fr. Jan Gerłowski OMI, who was one of the formators there, I began my first year of studies at the Oblate Minor Seminary in 1992. Years of formation and study allowed me to discern that it was in this religious family that God wanted me. From the perspective of the years, I can see how much effort the Oblates put not only into our education and upbringing, but also into igniting the missionary spirit within us. Hence the visits of the missionaries, their stories and slides of their work and ministry from Africa to the Arctic, the visit of the Inuits, the opportunity to meet those who years before discovered their vocation in the MS.

Did you think from the beginning about coming to Canada?

No. This decision was born over the years. In seminary, I was a member of the music group called Gitary Niepokanalej. It was with this team that we came to Canada in 2001 for 6 weeks, visiting most of our parishes. It was then that I made my final decision, which met with the approval of my superiors in Canada and Poland. And so I've been here for about 20 years now.

How long has your "adventure" with the military been going on, and how did it come about that you became a military chaplain?

The dream of military service has accompanied me since my youth (although I don't come from a military family) along with the thought of a priestly vocation.  So one could say that I was able to combine two great desires: a priestly and Oblate vocation with military service. By the fact that St. Eugene visited prisoners of war, i.e. served soldiers, I saw such ministry as part of the Oblate charism. After many requests, I received permission to serve in a reserve Regiment (something like the Territorial Defence Force in Poland with traditions dating back more than 100 years) where I served for nearly four years, combining this with parish work. Eight years ago I transferred to the Regular Force. And although I wear the uniform of the Canadian Army (land forces), I ministered at the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) base for 6 years, since in Canada chaplains serve in every element. Now I'm serving in a land base in an armored unit.

What rank do you hold as a chaplain, and are you also required to participate in any military exercises and take part in foreign missions? Or is your ministry strictly limited to pastoral service?

In the military, I hold the rank of captain. When it comes to exercises, I had to undergo the same training as every recruit, except to weapons handling and shooting exercises. Every year, too, I have to pass all the fitness tests and courses that are designed for every soldier. A chaplain's job is not just chapel and office. If the unit goes to the "field" then the chaplain goes with it. In the last year, over 3 months I spent away from home on exercises at various training grounds. To give an example - after 7 weeks on the training grounds 3500 km from the base, I returned home for 4 days to pack again and be ready to march out within 6 hours to help fight fires. In the end, my group was not deployed, but this shows a bit of what life is like for a soldier, and therefore also for a chaplain. And missions abroad? Yes, we also go on them. Personally, I haven't had that opportunity yet, but... we'll see what happens next. Someone asked if I carry weapons. No, according to the Geneva Convention - and this is the case in Canada - medics and chaplains are so-called "non-combatants." We don't carry weapons, but in addition to weapons, we have to meet the same conditions as any other soldier in the army.

What do you like about your ministry? What motivates you most to persist in what you do? Also, is there anything that causes difficulties and discourages you?

Our job is to accompany the soldier: spiritually, religiously and at times provide psychological support as well. We are part of the unit. We are with the soldiers day after day, so we see what is happening, we can react. One of the tasks is to advise the Commanding Officer (CO) in the area of the religious-ethical situation and the morale of the soldiers. When I see that something is happening, I go to the commander, report to him and give him recommendations on how the problem can be handled.

Recently, for example, some soldiers had a problem with feeling that they were doing something important. I came up with an initiative to take four soldiers at a time and go with them to a soup kitchen for the homeless to help there. All as part of the job. So that they would see that there is life beyond the unit and we contribute something, we mean something to society, even when we don't wear a uniform - simply as a person, a human being.

One of the main elements of our ministry is being with the soldiers, accompanying them. At the previous base I was responsible for the Catholic chapel. That was my job. The chapel organized all the religious life, even like a regular parish, so sacraments, various programs: bible study, catechesis about the theology of the body, the sacraments, retreats, etc... Here I celebrate Mass in the chapel, but I am available for everyone, regardless of faith, creed or lack thereof. On the other hand, in the case of requests for sacraments or spiritual service from other religions or denominations (such as a request for baptism in another Christian denomination) then I will ask my colleague - a Protestant. But again - when even from another unit there is a request for a Catholic wedding, the colleague will turn to me, since there are only two of us priests on the base. The ministry of a military chaplain is not a typical parish ministry. Our job is to be with the soldiers, to accompany them where they are at any given time, in their hardships and service every day. Hence trips to the training ground, I am with them in the armored vehicle, in the field - where they happen to be and serve - this is my task.

Can anyone become a chaplain in the military?

No! In addition to the formal requirements (permanent residence in Canada, theological studies, ordination, etc.), the ministry of chaplains requires something special, something that is difficult to encapsulate. Not every great priest will be a good chaplain. It is a really difficult ministry and for physical reasons, but also spiritually and mentally demanding.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us and we wish you many God's graces!

(TJ/DJ; Photos - by courtesy of Fr. Marcin)