The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the US Province are, along with everyone else in the world, praying for and in solidarity with the people of Haiti.

We feel especially connected to them, as Oblates from the US have worked in ministry there for more than 60 years and there are more than 130 Oblates, the largest male religious congregation present in Haiti.

We have suffered the loss of one of our seminarians in the collapse of the building where he was.  As far as can be determined at this time, all other Oblates survived.  The same cannot be said for our buildings in Port-au-Prince, as the seminary building (pictured in 2002) has been destroyed and much of the provincial headquarters damaged.  The Oblate presence in the north and in the area of Les Cayes was not damaged since the quake seems to have been primarily felt in the capital.

For more information on the Oblate situation, please go to www.omiusa.org or www.omiworld.org .  Further information, including how to help the Oblates rebuild, will be forthcoming as soon as it is available.

 Fr. Louie Lougen, US Provincial