Jesus Does All Things Well! - The Order of Friars, Servites of Mary Marks 100 Years in Canada

O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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OSM'S CELEBRATE

THEIR CENTENNIAL

IN CANADA

The Servite Order is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders (with the Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans and Franciscans). Its objects are the sanctification of its members, preaching the Gospel, and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows. The members of the Order use O.S.M. (for Ordo Servorum Beatae Mariae Virginis) as their post-nominal letters. The male members are known as Servite Friars or Servants of Mary.

The Servites arrived in Canada in 1912 (our Ottawa Parish of St. Anthony is likewise celebrating its centennial this year: there will be  special Mass of Thanksgiving in December).

Yesterday there was a solemn celebration of the Centennial of their arrival, bringing together male and female branches, the Prior General Angel Maria Ruiz Garnica and his Council, members from across Canada, led by Prior Provincial Yvon Chalifoux, from the USA and elsewhere, along with numerous friends, associates, benefactors and alumni/alumnae.

Archbishop Christian Lepine presided at the Eucharist in the Montfort Fathers shrine of Notre Dame, Reine des Coeurs in the north east section of Montreal, with several bishops and priests concelebrating, including a large number of Servites.  Mgr Lepine in his homily suggested that all Christian disciples are "servites", that is "servants" of Mary and he thanked the Servites for reminding us of that dignity we have in God's household.

A reception was held in a banquet hall in St. Leonard.  Herewith a few photos:

Prior Provincial Yvon Chalifoux (left) and Prior General Angel Maria Ruiz Garnica