Over the past five decades, the Lord has faithfully guided our province in the United States. Each milestone in our history tells a story not of human achievement alone, but of God’s grace at work through generous hearts.
As we reflect with gratitude on the past, we also look forward with hope. We warmly invite you to celebrate this joyful 50th anniversary with us at our Annual Gala. Together, we will thank God for all He has done and commit ourselves to continuing the mission for generations to come.
OMV Timeline: 50 Years (1976-2026)
1976
The Beginning
September 12 – Fr. Vincenzo Antolini arrives at Boston’s Logan Airport from Rome, speaking no English, with virtually no money to establish a foundation for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in the United States. He finds St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine in Boston’s Back Bay in complete disarray – no heat, crumbling walls, and a courtyard described as “a barren plot of mud.” The American foundation begins with nothing but faith.
1978
Formation Begins
Our Lady of Grace Seminary opens its doors to thirteen students, offering two years of liberal arts before philosophical studies. Classes taught primarily by Fr. David Beauregard. The focus shifts to forming the next generation of Oblates on American soil.
1979
Early Expansion
- Fr. Antolini travels to Mexico
- Fr. Ernest Sherstone becomes the second rector of St. Clement’s
- The Oblates express interest in staffing St. Patrick’s Parish in Alton, Illinois
1980
Coast to Coast
- Fr. Antolini and Fr. Vincent Young arrive at Holy Family Parish in Artesia, California, celebrating Mass in a school building
- Fr. Joe Langford becomes the first pastor of St. Patrick’s in Alton, Illinois
- Ministry begins at St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Illinois
1982
Urban Ministry
The Oblates take over the Prudential Center Chapel (St. Francis Chapel) in Boston under the direction of Fr. Peter Gojuk, bringing the heart of Christ to the heart of the city.
1984
Academic Excellence
The seminary program expands to four years, including two years of philosophy. Professor Peter Kreeft of Boston College joins the faculty, teaching alongside Fr. Tim Gallagher and others.
1985
Room to Grow
Purchase of the Milton house (St Joseph’s Retreat House), originally the Bowditch family home and later a Sisters of St. Joseph convent. First residents include Fr. Greg Short, Dan Zaleski, David Kosmoski, and Raymond Hinkle.
1986
Formation & Foundation
- First American novitiate established at Milton under Fr. Greg Short
- St. Peter Chanel officially becomes a parish with Fr. Vincenzo Antolini as pastor
- The donated land in Hawaiian Gardens begins to bear fruit as the parish truly takes root
1987
New Jersey Mission
The Oblates staff the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Washington, New Jersey, with Fr. Andy Huhtanen as superior, marking expansion into the Diocese of Metuchen.
1988
Midwest Presence
Fr. Tom Haake begins ministry in Amery, Wisconsin, extending the Oblate presence into America’s heartland.
1989
Bringing Formation Home
A pivotal decision: theology students studying in Rome (some 25 Americans among 85 total students) return to the United States. They settle at St. Clare’s Convent in Roslindale, Massachusetts. escaping communication difficulties and conflicts in Rome while gaining better pastoral training for American ministry.
1990
Parish Leadership
Fr. David Kosmoski appointed pastor of St. Andrew’s Church in Avenel, New Jersey. The Oblates bring Fr. Lanteri’s spirit of parish animation, establishing programs for youth, lapsed Catholics, bereaved families, and Bible study.
1991
A New Era – Province Formation
Formation of St. Ignatius Province with Fr. Tim Gallagher as the first Provincial. After fifteen years, the American Oblates number forty-five members. This marks a crucial turning point from emphasis on formation to apostolic expansion. Oblates go out to preach parish missions and give spiritual exercises – soon reaching over 100 missions and retreats per year.
1992
Making Themselves at Home
- Renovation of the St. Francis Chapel by Fr. John Paul Klein
- Theologians move from Roslindale to St. Joseph’s House of Studies in Milton
- Spanish apostolate begins to flourish at St. Francis Chapel under Fr. Greg Short
1993
Consolidation
Amery, Wisconsin closes as the Province focuses resources on established missions.
1997
Specialization and Mission
- Theologians move from St. Joseph House in Milton to St. Clement in Boston, consolidating all formation stages in Boston
- St. Joseph House becomes home to the Oblates under Frs. Short and Keuter
- Foundation in the Philippines: After years of Fr. Tom Haake giving missions and retreats there, the Province approves a permanent foundation in Cebu to give parish missions, retreats, and accept Filipino vocations
- St. Patrick Parish in Alton, Illinois, closes in December due to changing demographics
1996-1998
Renaissance at St. Clement
The complete renovation of St. Clement (In 1935, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the church was dedicated as St. Clement by Cardinal O’Connell) was carried out by Fr. Peter Grover and Brother David Guza, with aid and encouragement from Fr. Peter Gojuk (now Rector Major of the Congregation). The shrine is transformed from its 1976 state of decay into a beacon of beauty.
September 16, 1995: St. Andrew’s Parish in New Jersey celebrates its 75th anniversary with Bishop Hughes.
1998
Fruit of Formation
Fr. John Wykes becomes the first OMV ordained in Alton, Illinois – likely the first priesthood ordination of any kind in Alton since 1924.
2000
Millennium Milestones
- August 26: New church at St. Peter Chanel, California completed and dedicated during the Holy Year. Designed by architect Tony Samson, who had told Fr. Larry Darnell, “Before I die, I would like to build a church.” (Tony passes away six months after completion.)
- New construction begins at Mother of Mercy in Cebu, Philippines
- July 5: Foundation in Denver, Colorado – Fr. Bill Mullen and Fr. Dan Barron arrive at Holy Ghost Parish at the invitation of Archbishop Charles Chaput
- New school addition (Msgr. Suddes Hall) construction begins at St. Mary’s, Alton, Illinois
2004
Renovation of St. Joseph Retreat House Begins
Oblates of the Virgin Mary began a major renovation of St. Joseph Retreat House to renew and expand the space for prayer, spiritual direction, and retreats.
2009
St. Joseph Retreat House Re-Opens
After several years of restoration, St. Joseph Retreat House joyfully reopens.
2010s
Community & Evangelization
The Province evolves beyond buildings into vibrant community life and specialized ministries:
- Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality becomes a landmark in Denver under Fr. Ernest Sherstone’s leadership
- Parish festivals and cultural celebrations flourish: Oktoberfest in Illinois, Our Lady of Guadalupe processions (California and Colorado)
- Service ministries expand: Holy Ghost food line, Fr. Peter’s Back Bay Soup Kitchen
- Retreat ministry grows across the Province: retreat houses in Florida, Massachusetts and Antipolo in the Philippines serve thousands seeking spiritual renewal
- Prison ministry continues at Rahway State Prison and Adult Diagnostic Treatment Center
- Chaplain ministry Oblates serve as Chaplains in schools, hospitals and within small focus groups.
- Youth ministry and young adult programs bring new generation into the faith
- Seminarian Formation quality emphasized over quantity – investing deeply in each seminarian
2020s
A Global Family
The Province continues to grow in depth and reach:
- Serving thousands across multiple states and countries
- Celebrating countless weddings, baptisms, confessions
- Operating seminaries, retreat centers, shrines, and parishes
- Welcoming vocations from around the world
- Living the Lanterian charism: a rebirth of spirituality through the hands of the Immaculate Virgin Mary
- Today, we have Ordained: 57 priests
- Ordained in Italy: 14
- Ordained in US: 38
- Ordained in the Philippines: 5
- We also have 2 permanently Professed Brothers: 2
As of Today: Fr. James Walther is Provincial Rector of the Oblates in the United States. He assumed his position in 2015. He was a seminarian in Boston back in 1983!
Support for the Next 50 Years
As we give thanks for all that has been, we also look ahead with hope. The next fifty years will require courageous vocations, strong formation, and the faithful partnership of friends like you.
Your generosity helps ensure that future generations will encounter Christ through our ministries, retreats, shrines, and seminarians. Together, we can continue building on the foundation laid in trust and devotion to Our Lady.