(CCCB) As part of the festivities marking the 200th anniversary of their foundation, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on August 28, 2016, celebrated the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first Oblates in Canada at Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec.

The Holy Eucharist was presided by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). In his homily, Bishop Crosby recalled that "so many regions of the country have been blessed by the presence and ministry of Oblates, and their missionary determination! So many creative initiatives of individual Oblates have changed the lives of countless numbers of people."

He continued by pointing out that "communities exist because Oblates encouraged and supported their foundation. Newspapers, magazines, historical documents, dictionaries and grammars, provide information about the growth of communities, villages, counties, provinces, indeed the nation - all contributing to a better world."

Link to the full text of the homily (PDF) 
Link to the Oblate Website