Bishop Vital Grandin

A Life Devoted to Missionary Service

Born in France in 1829, Vital Grandin became a missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1853. The following year he was ordained a priest and sent to the arduous missions of the Canadian West. When only 28 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of St Boniface and in 1871 became the first Bishop of St Albert which is now in the Archdiocese of Edmonton.

His career of priestly and humble charity was wholly devoted to the Indian peoples. Through hardships and dangers he traveled incessantly over the vast prairie regions in search of souls. He was tireless in his efforts to improve the material and spiritual welfare of the native peoples. He founded schools, hospitals and churches, and won the affection and respect of the people.

He died a saintly death at St Albert on July 3, 1902, and the cause of his beatification was introduced at Rome on February 24th, 1937. His motto: "God chooses the weak of this world" continues to inspire Oblates and others in their service of God's people.

Father Charles Albini

The Holy Life of Charles Albini, Apostle of Corsica

Charles Albini was born in France on November 26th, 1790. After being ordained a priest in 1814, he joined the Oblate Congregation at the age of 34. Despite the demands of educating students for the priesthood and preaching the gospel, Fr Albini never lost his focus on keeping himself recollected in the presence of God.

He lived a holy life and came to be known as the apostle of Corsica, where he preached tirelessly. Fr Albini died a holy death on April 14th, 1839, leaving behind a legacy of faith and devotion. His cause for Sainthood has been introduced and his life continues to inspire many.

Father Felix Gavin

The Irish Oblate Who Dedicated His Life to Youth and Missions

Born in Co. Meath Ireland in 1917, Felix Gavin was a remarkable man who went on to become an Oblate Priest in 1943. His dedication to serving others led him to work in Holy Cross parish in Liverpool, where he worked tirelessly with the youth and the men's club. In 1950, he volunteered to come to Australia, where he continued his mission of preaching Missions and Retreats in the Eastern States before settling in Lesmurdie, where he was in charge of the Oblates who were preaching Missions and Retreats throughout Western Australia.

Fr Gavin's passion for serving his community led him to become the Parish Priest of Beaconsfield, WA. His sudden death on 9th July 1974 at Seton, NSW was a great loss to his community, but his legacy lives on. Fr Gavin's life was a testament to the power of selflessness and dedication, and his impact on the lives of countless individuals will never be forgotten. He is buried in the General Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria, a fitting resting place for a man who dedicated his life to serving others.

Father Joseph Cebula

A Hero of Courage and Faith in the Face of Adversity

Joseph Cebula was born on the 23 March, 1902 in Malnia, Poland. He entered the Oblate novitiate in 1921 and was ordained a priest on June 5, 1927. After the German invasion of Poland, and despite strict orders forbidding priests to minister, he continued to celebrate Mass in secret. Due to enemy patrols, he travelled in disguise visiting the sick, performing marriages and baptisms as well as administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Eventually, he was arrested and taken to the notorious concentration camp of Mathausen where he was savagely beaten before he was shot and killed on April 28, 1941.

Fr Cebula was known as a man of deep faith and prayer, always kind and understanding. In Mathausen, he shared what little food he had with others and spoke courageously to the guards and prayed for their conversion. He was declared Blessed on June 13, 1999, by Pope John Paul II. Cebula is the Boarding House.

Father Henri Tempier

Co-Founder and Trusted Confidant of the Oblates

Francois De Paule Henri Tempier was born near Aix-en-Provence, France in 1788. He first met Eugene de Mazenod in 1815 when Eugene was setting up his group of missionaries. The two men formed a deep friendship that lasted for over 35 years. During this time, Fr Tempier became Eugene's closest friend and confidant.

Fr Tempier was a calm, gentle and private man. These qualities balanced Eugene's emotional responses and tempered his frequent outbursts of enthusiasm. In this way, they complemented each other perfectly, and their relationship was always one of total honesty and respect. Fr Tempier's loyalty to de Mazenod was unwavering. Throughout his life, he frequently sacrificed his own desires and plans to serve the greater needs of the growing Congregation of the Oblates. During de Mazenod's final illness, Tempier spent five months by his side and was present with him at the moment of his death.

Fr Tempier can truly be said to be a co-founder of the Oblates. He worked constantly and tirelessly as a priest and Oblate for over 50 years. He died peacefully on April 9, 1870. The life and work of Fr Tempier shows us that not all missionaries have to travel to far corners of the globe to fulfill God's plan for them.