November 7, 2016 — Jesuit
Father Erik Oland has been appointed the next provincial of the French Canada
Province Jesuits by Father General Arturo Sosa. Fr. Oland will succeed Jesuit
Father Jean-Marc Biron as superior of the Jesuits in French Canada and Haiti.
Fr. Oland, 58, has served as
the master of novices at the Jesuit novitiate for French and English Canada in
Montreal since it was founded in 2008. He is also vice president of the
International Jungmann Society for Jesuits and the Liturgy.
Fr. Oland joined the
Society of Jesus in 1994, was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 2003, and took
Final Vows on July 19, 2008.
He studied theology at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now the Boston College School of
Theology and Ministry) and served as a retreat director at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre
in Guelph, Ontario.
Prior to joining the Jesuits,
Fr. Oland had a 15-year career as an operatic baritone and sang with the Canadian Opera Company. His music
profession led him to encounter the spirituality of St. Ignatius through the
Jesuits, whom he first met while teaching singing at Concordia University in
Montreal. As a Jesuit, he has sung at large Jesuit gatherings; participated in
parish music ministry; toured with Jesuit music ensembles; and given retreats
based on music and spirituality.
Fr. Oland will begin his new
role following the closing of the Jesuits’ General Congregation
36.
[Source: GC36.org]
