DOMANO:

 THE DREAM OF BISHOP FERGUS O'GRADY, OMI

"There were giants on the earth in those days!" (Gen.6:4)

If, at the dawn of history giants walked the face of the earth, it should be no surprise that there are still some among us today. We might think of Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul, Jean Vanier, Archbishop Romero... Although not so universally acclaimed, an outstanding Canadian visionary of our times was called home to God on March 3, 1998, just three months short of his 90th birthday.

For thirty years, John Fergus O'Grady,OMI, was bishop of the vast missionary diocese of Prince George, British Columbia, an area 4 times the size of Ireland! At the time of his appointment, in 1956, it was known officially as the Vicariate Apostolic of Prince Rupert, a strictly missionary territory coming under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Propagation of the Faith, in Rome. The Catholic population, scattered over the towns and villages of this frontier land, was no more than probably 6,000. Blessed with vast resources in lumber, minerals and fishing, and often referred to as the Last Frontier, the area was beginning to experience and influx of population, and a consequent increase of development along the main communication routes.

The new bishop, looking beyond the shanty towns and the mud and gravel roads, could foresee great challenges facing the Church. These he regarded not as problems, but simply as opportunities! Ordained in 1934, Fergus had worked initially in parish ministry and later in the field of education. At the time of his appointment, he was serving as Provincial of the English speaking Oblates in Canada. He brought to his new task a wealth of practical experience in pastoral ministry, an exuberant and charming personality, and an unshakable trust in the never failing presence and power of the Lord.

An Oblate of Mary Immaculate, he chose as his episcopal motto: "Sub tuum praesidium" ("Under they protection") thereby assigning his ministry to the loving care of the Virgin Mother. On the day of his installation, when the festivities had quieted down, he gathered his 2 dozen priests together for a glimpse of his vision of the Church of the future. He explained that in this area where there was such great potential for material development, our challenge to provide spiritual growth would be all the greater. Catholic education would have to be a top priority, indeed, the primary focus of our apostolic activity. "We'll need to build 12 schools!" he said with a good humored laugh. We all thought: "Of course he's only joking, he's exaggerating!" But slowly it dawned on us that he was absolutely serious as as a vast plan of action unfolded. Never mind that we told him there were no financial resources to build schools, and no support from the B.C. government to operate schools if we did have them! He was well aware of the difficulties and challenges, but quick to present an altogether positive response to our negative perceptions and forebodings! His simple assurance was "If God wants it, then we can do it!"

"I'll go around to the sawmills and merchants and ask them to donate materials to build our schools. We'll ask for volunteers: plumbers, carpenters, laborers, electricians, to come and construct the buildings. I have an architect who will donate his services!" We retorted: "But, how will we ever be able to pay for teachers?" His astonishing response: "I'll just go to universities and colleges, and ask the graduates to donate their first year, or two, to our missionary diocese!"

And, so was born a unique movement that he named Frontier Apostolate. Unique because, in the 35 years of its existence, more than 3,000 volunteers came from all over North America and Europe, indeed some from every continent, in response to his call. In preaching about the need for direct help on the missions his famous line was: "I'm not asking you to give money - give yourself, and the Lord has promised you a hundredfold in return!"

Graduates and postgraduates; carpenters and secretaries; nurses, cooks and bus drivers; the young and inexperienced as well as many in their prime or even retired; they all came with one basic desire.... they simply wanted to take the Gospel literally - to leave all things, albeit temporarily, and donate themselves, their talents and their time. In a few short years, the bishop got his schools: actually, a baker's dozen. The crowning achievement was the opening of a central high school in Prince George with accommodations for 120 students in residence and about the same number as day students. As well as lay volunteers, many sisters, brothers and priests were also able to come for a year or two to make their valuable contributions to this vibrant form of Christian apostolic endeavor. Most of the towns where schools were built had from 6 to 12 volunteers at any one time, while at the high school there were at least 40. In retrospect, former volunteers agree that the experience of living in an apostolic community was in itself a powerful recompense for the time they donated. They tell us they unquestionably received much more than they ever gave.

From the beginning, John Fergus chose a quotation from the disciples on the road to Emmaus" "Domine, mane nobiscum" (O Lord, remain with us) to coin a new word - "Domano, " as a clarion call of the Frontier Apostolate. This was the very essence of his personal spirituality. And it was his dearest wish to be able to share it with others. His faith was never merely esoteric, cerebral. It was hands on, down to earth. Simply put - he trusted absolutely in God, and with that same deep faith he trusted in people, often reminding us: "If God is with us, who can be against us!"

At the Vatican years later, Cardinal Pignedoli, (who as Apostolic Delegate to Canada had once spent four days visiting the Frontier Apostles), expressed his admiration for Bishop O'Grady. He told a visitor that the most important contribution the Bishop was making to the Church was not merely his good work within the diocese, but more importantly the opportunity he provided for literally thousands to live an apostolic life in the missions and then return to their home parishes with a new awareness of their responsibility as baptized members of the Body of Christ. He summed it up saying: "At Vatican II we formulated the theory of lay apostolate, but Bishop Fergus had already introduced it in practice."

So, was it all sunshine and no shadow? By no means! Just as with blessings, we likewise had our full measure of trial and tribulation. The very first school in our building program, with 6 classrooms and a beautiful auditorium, was accidentally burned to the ground one week before it was due to open. Fortunately, there was insurance and it was rebuilt within a year. There were sudden deaths among the clergy. A young volunteer teacher from Ontario was instantly killed in a freak airplane accident. And for years, there were always pressing financial problems. But, through it all the indomitable trust and faith of the Bishop urged everyone to "sursum corda" because tomorrow would be a better day! And, indeed, that's how it turned out in the long haul.

After 35 grace-filled years, the Frontier Apostolate came to an end. Why? Because it had completed the task set for it by its founder. Schools had been built, and were operating so successfully that the Provincial Government of Canada finally came through with financial aid to pay salaries. Thousands of children have gone through the diocesan school system. The city of Prince George now has a trading population of close to 140,000, with four Catholic parishes where originally there was only one. But, most important of all, young people from various parts of the Diocese have joined other volunteer programs to go out to the Third World and continue the tradition of involvement passed on to them by their parents. Fergus O'Grady was not content to light a "single candle" in the darkness. He succeeded in lighting thousands of candles!

---- Fr. Gerry Clenaghan,OMI..... February 8, 1999