Father Al Svobodny, OMI, Spiritual Director

    Fr. Al Svobodny, OMIFr. Al Svobodny, OMI has been an Oblate priest for well over 48 years. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 13, 1923, he entered the minor seminary in 1937 and completed his philosophical and theological studies at De Mazenod Scholasticate in San Antonio, Texas. He made his first vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate on August 26, 1944 and ordained a priest on June 4, 1949 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has spent most of his priestly life in promotional work as Vocational Director for the Central Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate; the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois; Mission Procurator; eight years in pastoral ministry in Duluth, Minnesota and now at King's House of Retreats in Buffalo, Minnesota. He played a significant role in the vocational development of Oblate prelates Bishop Roger Schweitz of Duluth and Archbishop Francis George of Chicago and has worked very closely with the archbishop's parents in promoting vocations in the Chicago-land area. Countless priests owe their vocations to this wonderful man of the cloth, as well as many who chose the lay ministry, never forgetting the principles and values he imparted to them. One of those is Cyndi's husband Michael who has known and been counseled by Father Al since 1956. This holy Oblate priest was asked to be Spiritual Director for Michael's wife Cyndi as well as the MIR-A-CALL Center apostolate in the fall of 1990. He has been to Medjugorje and Rome several times including being present for the canonization of the Oblates' founder Bishop Eugene De Mazenod by Pope John Paul II on December 3, 1995. All who are interested in making a silent retreat are encouraged to call (612) 682-1394 for information and a retreat calendar.



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