Canada

Oblates were entrusted with various ministries: preaching, parishes, Indian missions, pastoral care of lumber camps. Vast distances in this immense country did not impede their missionary spirit. In less than fifteen years they traveled thousands of miles, setting up dioceses along the way and acting as explorers and builders. Oblate bishops are still in charge of several Canadian dioceses - churches far from major centers of population.

Today there are about a thousand Oblates working in Canada. Vocations have become scarce in recent years and the apostolic workforce is aging. In spite of this, the missionary spirit endures. Oblates are still engaged in a diversified apostolate, some of which include: the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape; centers of Christian renewal like Arnprior's Galilee Community near Ottawa and Maison Jesus-Ouvrier in Quebec; theology institutes like Newman College in Edmonton and Saint Paul University in Ottawa, where large numbers of laymen and laywomen, alongside seminarians and scholastics, are preparing themselves for service in the Church.

Canada, like many industrialized countries, is plagued by drugs, divorce, and family instability. The Oblates of Canada are attentive to these realities. From the example of the early Oblate pioneers, Canadian Oblates draw courage and hope for the future.