Pilgrimage of Hope: Father General honors his Canadian Predecessors
This visit holds great significance as it coincides with the 175th anniversary celebrations of the University of Saint Paul in Ottawa. Additionally, Fr. Chicho takes this opportunity to install the Provincial of the Oblate Province of Notre-Dame du Cap and pay tribute to two of his predecessors, Léo DESCHÂTELETS (1947-1972) and Fernand JÉTTÉ (1974-1986).
A moment of pilgrimage
Upon his arrival, Fr. Chicho held a productive meeting with the new provincial and his council, where he shared the province’s expectations. The following day, he took the morning to visit the Cemetery where, among others, Fathers Léo DESCHÂTELETS and Fernand JÉTTÉ, two of the three Canadians who served as Superior Generals, are buried. According to Fr. Chicho, it was a moment of pilgrimage in communion with our brave missionaries who have already returned to our heavenly Father.
The resting place of Fathers Léo Deschâtelets and Fernand Jetté
A listening pilgrim
In the afternoon, he visited the OMI Richelieu community, one of the largest Oblate communities in North America. During this fraternal gathering, Fr. Chicho delivered a heartfelt message to these older missionaries, reminding them that every Oblate is also a Superior General, and he was among them as a pilgrim not to speak but to listen. His eloquence inspired a renewed passion in these older brothers, encouraging them to continue bearing fruit as they age.
A pilgrimage of hope in communion with the entire Oblate family
Before continuing his pilgrimage from Côte-Nord du Québec, Fr. Chicho challenged the congregation through his Oblate brothers in Québec. He urged them to foster dialogue, in a spirit of synodality, between the older Oblates and those who are still young.
And so, the account of a missionary along the northern path of our religious family begins.
Follow along on this pilgrimage of hope in communion with the entire Oblate family!
Fr. Chicho visiting the Oblate Community in Québec
By Ali Nnaemeka, OMI
Photo credits: Jean Sauvé and Ali Nnaemeka
Published on the OMI World website
