Oblate presence: 1938-1999 Geographic location: Montreal, Canada

Provincial Council of December 14, 1937 held in Montreal. The provincial reports that he received the visit of His Excellency the Coadjutor Archbishop on December 10 and that the latter told him that he had just signed the decree for the erection of the new parish that he wishes to entrust to the Oblates. He designates St. Marie Bernadette Soubirous as the patron of the new parish. His Excellency declared that he wanted to give this parish simply, with no other condition than that of observing the discipline of the diocese and ad nutum Sanctae Sedis. He added that he would like to have a house for closed retreats for workers built in this parish. He wants the Oblates to begin religious services in the new territory as soon as possible. The Provincial Council welcomes these clarifications and will ask the General Administration for final authorization to undertake the work in this new field of apostolate. In a previous document, it was pointed out that this work corresponded in every respect to the Oblate mission.

A memorial image indicates that the founding of the parish of Saint Bernadette took place on February 11, 1938 and, at the end of February 1954, a subsequent document adds: “The current parish of St. Bernadette was entrusted in perpetuity, on February 11, 1938, by His Excellency Georges Gauthier, to the community of the Rev. Oblate Fathers. Its current territory extends from 11th Avenue to Pius IX Blvd and from St. Zotique to Jean-Talon, with an extension beyond Jean-Talon to Richelieu Street, between 17th and 11th Avenue.”

Departure of the Oblates. In 1938, the Oblates settled into the brand-new parish of Saint Bernadette Soubirous. Faithful to their identity, the Oblates quickly set to work. Already in March 1938, the first parish retreat ensured an excellent start for the new community. Names that are remembered are: Father Germain Houle, the first pastor, who died accidentally on November 13, 1950, Fathers Gaston Champagne, preacher of the first parish retreat, Brother Alfred Desrochers who supervised the construction of the first church and several other valiant missionaries. The tree’s mission is accomplished. We have to look to the future with confidence in God.

Eugène Lapointe OMI