Biographies
Lacerte, Antonio
Father Lacerte studied at the Oblate Juniorate in Saint-Boniface before entering the Oblate Novitiate at Saint-Laurent, Manitoba in 1934. He pronounced his first vows there on August 15lh 1935 before proceeding to Rome, Italy for his scholasticate. He pronounced his perpetual vows in Roviano, Italy on August 15'h 1938. Because of the threat of the Second World War he returned to Canada and completed his theological studies at St.Joseph's Scholasticate in Ottawa where he was ordained by Cardinal Villeneuve o.m.i. on June 15lh 1941.
His first obedience was for Gravelbourg College where he was successfully, dean of students, dean of studies and vice-rector before being appointed reetor at Collège Saint-Jean in 1957. He stayed at Saint-Jean until 1968 when he finally left it permanently to assume his responsibilities as provincial of the Manitoba Oblate province exclusively. He had been appointed provincial in September of 1967. His stay at Saint-Jean was very productive for the Collège and he was also instrumental in founding the parish of Saint-Thomas d'Aquin. Aftet completing a six year mandate as provincial in Manitoba, he became professor and director of the Pastoral Institute of St. Paul's University in Ottawa from which he eventually retired in 1985 and spent several years in Vancouver before residing finally in Ottawa where he passed away on June 17'h 2000.
Among many honours received, Father Lacerte was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University ofAlberta (1977) as weil as one from the University of Manitoba (1991). He was also appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1997.
Acknowledgement
Reprinted with the permission of France Levasseur-Ouimet, PhD, from Levate Oculos: En Hommage aux Pères et aux Frères Oblats de Marie-Immaculée de Saint-Jean 1908-2008 [Raise Up Our Eyes: An Homage to the Fathers and Brothers of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate of Saint-Jean, 1908-2008], unpublished manuscript, 2008. Photos are reprinted with the permission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Grandin Province.
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