Religious order founded on January 25, 1816, at Aix, Provence, France, by Saint Charles Joseph Eugene de Mazenod, composed of priests and lay brothers. It was formed to repair the havoc caused by the French Revolution and its principal aim is the instruction and conversion of the poor; missions, retreats, and catechism courses, especially in rural parishes; the direction of seminaries, and the training of priests are its chief duties. In 1841 new fields of labor were opened to the Oblates. They established themselves in England, Canada, the United States, South America, South Africa, Asia, and Western Australia. The general administration was moved from Marseilles to Paris, 1861; the persecutions of 1902 obliged its removal to Liege, 1903, whence it was transferred to Rome, 1905. See also the order's web site.