The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) is a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church founded on January 25, 1816 by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, a French priest from Marseille. It was first recognized by Pope Leo XII on February 17, 1826. Originally established to revive the Church after devastation by the French Revolution, the religious order now serves in various countries around the world. In 1938, Pope Pius XI called them "specialists in difficult missions". One of the more famous members of the OMI is Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago.

The Oblates played the major role in Catholic missionary activity in Western Canada. Famous Oblate missionaries to the native peoples of Northwestern Canada include Father Émile Petitot and Father Adrien-Gabriel Morice. Even today the parish priests in northern British Columbia are Oblates.

One site the Oblates manage is the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois, along with its nearby retreat center, King's House.

The OMI also operate three schools in Australia: Iona College in Brisbane, Mazenod College (Victoria) and Mazenod College (Western Australia).

As of 2006, there are 4,440 Oblates, including 580 in formation. ^*

External links

• Official Site
• China Mission

Roman Catholic missionary orders

Institutes of Consecrated Life | 1816 establishments

Misionáři Obláti Panny Marie Neposkvrněné | Oblaten (OMI) | Oblats de Marie-Immaculée | Oblat Maria Immaculata | Oblaten van de Onbevlekte Maagd Maria