Marie-Paule Malenfant in collaboration PPPilPilililgrigrigrigrimagemage of an IIInstitutInstitutnstituteeee…… SECULAR INSTITUTE THE OBLATE MISSIONARIES OF MARY IMMACULATE Marie-Paule Malenfant in collaboration PPPilgrimagePilgrimage of an InstituteInstitute…… SECULAR INSTITUTE THE OBLATE MISSIONARIES OF MARY IMMACULATE Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Library and Archives Canada cataloguing in publication Malenfant, Marie-Paule, 1942- [Pèlerinage d'un Institut…. English] Pilgrimage of an Institute… Translation of : Pèlerinage d'un Institut… Includes bibliographical references. Electronic monograph in PDF format. ISBN 978-2-9814694-3-4 1. Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate - History. 2. Secular institutes - Canada. I. Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. II. Title. III. Title : Pèlerinage d'un Institut… English. BX818.O24M3413 2015 271'.97 C2014-942332-2 Design and page-setting: Interscript, for the original Edition in French; Ms Lucie Boisvert Impression of the original in French: Marquis Imprimeur Published by: Secular Institute the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate 7625, boulevard Parent Trois-Rivières (Québec) G9A 5E1 Canada All reproduction, in whole or in part, in any form and by whatever process, is prohibited without the written authorization of the editor. Legal deposit – National Library and Archives of Quebec Library and Archives of Canada, 2015 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Collaboration in drafting: Ms Marie Martineau Ms Cécile Létourneau Counsellor in drafting: Ms Lucia Ferretti, historian University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres Foreword: Father Roger Gauthier, O.M.I. Presentation: Ms Anita Plourde, president of the Institute The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate Special collaboration: Ms Suzanne Beausoleil, research in the archives of the Institute Ms Fernande St-Onge, archives of Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I. Photos: Archives of the Institute Website of the Institute Ms Lucie Boisvert, scanning of the photos Revision of the texts: Leadership Committee of the Institute Ms Anita Plourde, president Ms Simone Huneault, vice-president Ms Ellena Brelu-Brelu, secretary general (2011-2013) Ms Louise Royer, secretary general (June 2013) as well as all the expresidents of the Institute and several Oblates. Revision of the English translation: Ms Anita Therrien Ms Elizabeth Rockwood Translation: Sr. Florestine Audette, r.j.m. Mr. Jean-Marc Bougie Citations: The Jerusalem Bible 4 FOREWORD Why a foreword in addition to an introduction? Because beyond the events and the persons recalled by any “History”, there is also the mysterious sense of direction given to them by God. The foreword would like to help the reader, man or woman, before the reading is begun, to open his mind and heart to the mystery that will be offered to him. Presently, the mystery that dwells in the whole history of the Institute The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate is totally known by the Founder, Father Louis-Marie Parent, and by the Oblates who have entered with him into the Eternal Light. They cannot give it to us to “read”, but they have the burning desire of communicating this to the heart of the people who wish to understand this wonder of God. I had the grace of collaborating intimately for ten years with Father Parent in bringing the Institute of the Oblates to life at the beginning of its existence. I was thus steeped into the mystery that drove this man of God. This is no doubt the reason why I was asked to suggest these reflections that prepare the minds and hearts to understand what God has done with the events of the visible history of the Oblates offered to humanity for the service in the Kingdom. It would be bold of me to think that I am able to go further than this book about the sense of the related events. Rather, I will be satisfied in suggesting to all the readers, men and women, to open themselves to the lights that will be offered to them in the secret of their heart by Father Parent, or by a particular more intimate Oblate who has returned to the House of God, our Father. They are surely greatly concerned about sharing their wonder before all that God has built with the small daily events recalled in this history. Therefore, to open the minds and hearts to the reading of this wonder, I will be satisfied, as a foreword, with suggesting an interior reflection that could be somewhat like this : “Father Parent, At the moment of beginning the reading of this history of the Institute to which you collaborated with God and that now you see in all its splendor at the service of humanity, I would like to read it as you yourself read it so that I might bind myself to it as you love it and give thanks for it to the Lord with you. I unite myself as well with all the Oblates already in eternity, especially with those I knew, to look over with them this whole history that they lived and that they read over now in its richness as a work of God .” Roger Gauthier , O.M.I. September 2013 6 PRESENTATION This history project of the Secular Institute The Oblate Misionaries of Mary Immaculate was planned during the preparation of the jubilee year of the 60 th anniversary of its foundation in 1952, by Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I. Since we were fortunate to have the first ten Oblates still with us, we had conversations with each one of these pioneers during which they spoke of their lives during the first years of the Foundation. The fruits of this project are included in this book. Our archives contain much information: documents, letters, photos, histories of districts and sectors where the Institute was established, and accounts of missionary activities. We still had to do the necessary research and write this beautiful story of the Love of God for our Institute. The Oblates Marie-Paule Malenfant with the help of Cécile Létourneau and Marie Martineau, accepted this challenge, in consultation with Ms Lucia Ferretti, historian, professor at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières. Marie-Paule assumed the responsibility for this project and drafted the text. Our deepest gratitude to each one of them as well as to all those who collaborated in this project. The reader, man or woman, of this account will meet with an organization that is still evolving as it has done for over 60 years while being moved by the Holy Spirit in response to the signs of the times. The essential elements of the Institute were present from the very beginning of its journey. The understanding of these elements has grown in depth and, as a result, so did the way of living them. A secular institute exists within the context of the society and the Church. The thinking of Vatican Council II on consecrated life and the mission of the people of God in the world has helped secular institutes in taking their proper place in the Church. In a multicultural and international institute like ours, the different societies and cultures in which it is inserted provides infinite possibilities for its mission. This volume relates a vibrant history that is continuing to unfold day by day in the lives of each Oblate and in the Institute as a whole. It is a joy for us to be able to share it with you so that you may be able to know it better. Anita H. Plourde , President March 2014 8 INTRODUCTION In 2012, the Secular Institute “The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate” celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. For already over 60 years this Institute, a cell of the Church, has adopted the mission entrusted to the secular institutes to do their part in the growth of the Kingdom of God on earth. This spiritual family “invites its members to exercise a responsible presence and a transforming action within their temporal realities to direct them in the sense of the Gospel acting like yeast in a dough 1.” These 60 years have gone by rapidly ! But was not this jubilee an excellent opportunity for the members of this group to open their eyes mutually while revisiting the spiritual journey in which they have committed themselves, at their own pace, during these years ? Just like the disciples of Emmaus who “searched for meaning” in their walk with Jesus, every Christian someday, unknowingly and/or after much thought, searches for meaning in his earthly journey. “Journeying”, means going and meeting the Other and others ; it means placing one's footsteps in those of Jesus and often means searching for Him from a great distance while he is close, there all aflame in one's heart. O sole Master of time, Jesus, you direct us, We follow all your ways, We all search for your face. Strangers, pilgrims we are, Always ready to go, We are turning our eyes To the Day and the Hour. We walk in your footsteps, You come to meet with us; In this game of our faith, We watch for the Unseen.2 How many important realities have followed one upon the other in this Institute in 60 years of history. Little by little, these pages will reveal some of its richness: by recalling, step by step, its commitment in its global nature, by identifying, through the years, its advances and regressions according to the risks of its experience and the social and ecclesial contexts, by offering its humble support in the building of the kingdom of God under all skies, by opening wide its heart to accept new paths in order to pursue one's journey joyfully. 1. Constitutions 1.8 2. Prière du temps présent , hymne du milieu du jour, Temps pascal (Liturgy of the Hours, MIddle Hour hymn at the time of Easter.) With authorization from the Commission francophone cistercienne.