Fr. Armand Le Gal, OMI
Celebrating 60 Years of Religious Life
During a recent interview with Fr. Armand Le Gal, OMI, about his 60 years of religious life, I expected to hear stories about ministry, parish life, and the many communities he has served over the years.
And I did.
But somewhere along the way, our conversation drifted to music, shared connections to the Maritimes and Ireland, and the people who have shaped our lives. It felt less like an interview and more like a conversation with an old friend.
In many ways, that simple exchange revealed the heart of Fr. Armand’s vocation.
Ask Fr. Armand what has sustained him through 60 years as an Oblate, and his answer comes down to something simple: people.
Over the decades, he has served in many different ministries, but what he remembers most are the relationships, the conversations, the laughter, and the opportunity to walk alongside people through both joyful and difficult moments.
Fr. Armand’s love of music began in the seminary, where he learned to play the guitar at age 20. What started as a new skill quickly became a lifelong companion, accompanying him throughout his ministry and creating countless opportunities to connect with others.
Whether serving in parishes, working with youth, accompanying First Nations communities, leading retreats, or bringing people together through music, Fr. Armand has spent six decades building connections and helping people encounter God’s love in everyday life. He has shared music with people of all ages in seniors’ homes, at house parties, and other social gatherings through sing-alongs, while also encouraging congregations to raise their voices together at Mass and other religious celebrations. As Fr. Armand says, “Music is an international people gatherer.”
Born in St. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, Fr. Armand entered the Oblate novitiate in Lebret, Saskatchewan, in 1965 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. His ministry has taken him across Manitoba and Ontario, serving in parish ministry, youth and vocation work, retreat leadership, and First Nations communities.
No matter where he has served, however, one thing has remained constant: his love of being with people.
That passion for connection is evident in the way he talks about ministry. While some people are drawn to administration or academic pursuits, Fr. Armand is happiest in pastoral settings, meeting people where they are and sharing in their lives. He believes ministry is about building community, helping people grow in their faith, and making sure they know they are not alone.
Music has also played an important role throughout his life and ministry. Over the years, he has shared songs and laughter with seniors in care homes and residences, using music as another way to bring people together. For Fr. Armand, it’s not about performing; it’s about seeing people smile, sing along, and reconnect with cherished memories.
Fr. Armand believes the Gospel should be understandable and relevant to everyday life. When he preaches, he wants people to leave with a message they can connect to and live out, rather than something that feels distant or abstract.
That practical nature is matched by a deep compassion for others. Throughout his ministry, Fr. Armand has sought to meet people where they are, especially during life’s most difficult moments. His decisions have always been guided by care for the people entrusted to him, reflecting a ministry rooted in accompaniment, understanding, and mercy.
As Fr. Armand celebrates 60 years of religious life, his legacy is found not only in the places he has served but in the countless relationships he has built along the way.
His story reminds us that at the heart of an Oblate vocation is a simple calling: to be present, to listen, and to walk alongside others with faith, compassion, and joy.
Thank you, Fr. Armand, for 60 years of faithful service as an Oblate.