Oblate presence: 1976-1989
The residence of Chambly (Agapaix) became the novitiate. Prior to moving, the novices had been integrated into the Lefebvre community in Richelieu. The novitiate must retain its irreplaceable and privileged role as a first initiation into religious life. It is a high point in the learning of Oblate life, a time to verify one’s personal charism in relation to the Oblate charism. Within the framework of human and Christian growth, the objectives of this formation course include a spiritual dimension, an apostolic dimension, a community dimension and the whole community aspect.
On July 12, 1976, the General Council of the Oblates in Rome decided to transfer the novitiate, which had been attached to the Oblate house, Résidence Lefebvre, in Richelieu, to the Chambly Residence, which the Provincial Council had just canonically erected on June 25, 1976, as an Oblate residence in the city of Chambly and whose name was Agapaix and the title given it was The Virgin of the Annunciation.
On August 29, 1980, the Provincial Council unanimously approved the participation in the interprovincial novitiate and the transfer of the novices from Chambly to Quebec City. The Agapaix Residence then became the Vocation Pastoral Centre.
In July 1989, the Residence became a residence for the elderly.
Eugène Lapointe OMI
