Women of faith, lay women, unmarried, consecrated to God who are committed to live the Gospel at the heart of the world. As members of a Secular Institute, they live in the same condition as their contemporaries and share their common concerns. They are present in different milieus through a trade or profession of their choice. They are an active and responsible Christian presence within the temporal realities to make them more just and more humane, charity and service are their identifying marks. The Oblates consecrate their lives to God. By their presence and their work, they contribute to the transformation of the world from within in the manner of leaven.

The Oblates commit themselves by vows to keep:

their hearts free for universal and unconditional love;

their hands free to share with others, in a spirit of solidarity;

their spirits free to be available to God and to others.

Jesus is the fascinating figure who inspires them to offer their lives to God in order to realize their deep desire to create a better world as they continue to exercise their trade or profession without changing their normal living conditions. The gift of their life is fulfilling; it gives meaning to their whole existence.

HISTORY

The Secular Institute The Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate was founded by Father Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I., in July 1952, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada. In 1962, the Institute was recognized as a Secular Institute by the Church. On March 24, 1984, it was recognized as being of Pontifical Right by Pope John Paul II. Since its foundation in 1952, the Institute has attracted many young women. As early as 1954, there were so many vocations that the Institute expanded into the mission field internationally. Today, there are more nearly 400 members in approximately twenty countries in America, Europe, and Asia.

MEMBERS: The Oblates are often distant from one another geographically but they are united in the same mission. They gather regularly into small teams to share their faith and life experiences. It is there that they are revitalized to meet the demands of their consecrated life, that they develop strong bonds of solidarity and that they support each other mutually to meet daily challenges. Those who live in remote areas keep in contact with their team members by modern means of communication.

WE ARE PRESENT AT: Belgium – Bolivia – Canada – Chile - Colombia - Cuba - Dominican Republic-France - Germany - Haiti - India - Ireland - Italy - Laos-Peru - Republic of Mauritius - Sri Lanka - Thailand - United States - Vietnam