The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
General Delegation of Japan/Korea

Painting by Bro. Sueho Tsuda, OMI

Pope Pius XI called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate "Specialists of the Most Difficult Missions." More recently, Pope John Paul II described us as "men consecrated to evangelization, particularly among underprivileged people."

Although it is gratifying to have our missionary efforts recognized, we feel that how others describe us is not nearly so important as what we stand for and what we are doing to reach out to those in physical, emotional, or spiritual need.

Though our primary ministry is a spiritual one, the nearly 5,000 Oblate priests and brothers worldwide are also involved in many charitable works among the needy.

Following the example of our founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod, the Missionary Oblates help provide wells for communities without clean water ... shelter, food, and medicine for the needy ... a home for orphaned and abused children ... care for the sick and the elderly ... and administer the sacraments in parishes in rural communities and inner-city areas. We also have established churches, schools, and special ministries.

From our humble beginnings in France in 1816, the Missionary Oblates have grown to become the eighth-largest religious congregation in the world.

Oblates first arrived in Japan in 1948 and in Korea in 1990.