The
history of the French Canadian Province began when Monseigneur Laval, the
Bishop of S. Alberto in Alberta, who knew Father
Dehon, invited the Priests of the Sacred Heart to his diocese in order to care
particularly for those French-Canadians, who like many other European
immigrants, were migrating to the west of Canada in search of work.
Many
French Fathers answered this call, and they began their work in such difficult
circumstances that Father Dehon, on the occasion of the Eucharist Congress in
Montreal, when he visited the first fathers some months after their arrival,
described their situation as one of absolute
poverty. This was in 1910.
In
1919 Father Gaborit began a provisional novitiate, so as to guarantee a
change-over of personnel (he transferred there in 1924), and the result of all
his efforts, up to 1930, was the (addition of the) confrčres, Hould, Caron and
Houle.
In
1936, after the acquisition of the House of the Sacred Heart in Montreal. the
situation was that there were three Fathers in that city, while Father Gaborit
remained alone in the west. In addition, certain of the French Fathers had
become members of the diocesan clergy. There were about ten Fathers in all
working during these years.
When
reinforcements arrived from Holland in 1948, they found Fathers Hould and Houle
at Montreal, while Father Caron returned in the next year. From 1948 to 1962,
the Dutch Province sent out fifty confrčres, half of whom went to the
English-speaking territory of Ontario.
A
Novitiate was set up in a farm-house, and a minor seminary in a clergy-house,
while much pastoral work was carried on in the parishes. Subsequently, the
Novitiate was abandoned, and until 1975. all the candidates passed their
novitiate in the U.S.A.
The
Seminary of Pointe-au-Chęne accepted its first students on 15th September 1953,
but at Easter 1956 it was transferred to a new school, where there were places
for eighty students. In 1962 an attempt was made to found a preparatory school
at Pointe-au-Chęne for the novitiate for coadjutor brothers, but this was an
experiment which only lasted a short time.
Beginning
in 1952, many Fathers worked among the social rejects of the RiveSud, opposite Montreal, but now only one father remains
there, running a rehabilitation centre for young people.
In
1962, the House of the Sacred Heart at Montreal was converted into a residence
for the Scholastics, and later for students of theology and students on their
pre-university course. After the acquisition of certain neighbouring houses, it
was decided that the principal building should be constructed in the garden
behind the house; this was in 1967.
At
Montreal there was then, after the beginning of this project, the Secretariat
which was responsible for financing the various building operations, and in
part at least for the functioning of our communities. After having paid off the
debt contracted from the Province, in 1971, this Secretariat was now able to
function exclusively in favour of mission work.
The
Seminary of the Sacred Heart at Pointe-au-Chęne is running normally. Eight
confrčres work there, the majority of whom have been students at the seminary.
At
Montreal there are eight confrčres at work in the Community, or else in full or
part time work in the pastoral field in the Diocese. Six pre-university
students are also residing there, and finally there is the Procure for
Missions, where four employees work.
The
other Fathers of the Province are engaged in pastoral work, for the most part
at parish level.