"The most important step of any pilgrimage is the leave-taking," Father Leo Mann once said.
After nearly 50 years in religious life, most of them spent in the Battlefords, a well-known and well-loved priest has died. He died Feb. 7 at Battlefords Union Hospital at the age of 69.
Born on Dec. 30, 1941 in Gravelbourg, he entered the novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at St. Norbert, Man., professing his first vows in 1961. His scholasticate years were spent at St. Charles Scholasticate at Battleford and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1967.
In 1968 Father Mann began a 15-year career at St. Thomas College in North Battleford, first as teacher, then as principal and superior of the Oblate community.
From 1987 to 1994, he was director of the Oblate Communications Centre at Battleford. For the next several years this responsibility was joined to the pastoral care of the parishes of Maidstone, Lashburn and Delmas.
In January 1997, he was appointed provincial superior of St. Mary's Province for two terms. At the same time he was chosen to the committee working to restructure six Provinces of the Canadian region.
Fr. Mann played a major role in establishing the Oblate mission in Kenya. He was a member of OMI Lacombe Canada, a province within the worldwide congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
