St Eugene De Mazenod (pictured above) founded the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in 1816. He was born in 1782, at Aix-en-Provence of wealthy parents. During the French Revolution, he (along with his father) was exiled.
In 1802 he returned from exile, and saw how the Revolution had affected some of the people of France. Moved by the plight of the poor, he gave up his wealth, and started training as a priest. In 1811, he was ordained.
As stated above, he founded an Order, and named them "Missionaries of Provence", and went to work amongst the poorest people of France, proclaiming the good news of the gospel to them, and giving them comfort and help.
In 1826 the Missionaries of Provence were renamed "The Oblates of Mary Immaculate" and this was given Papal approval by Pope Leo XII.
In 1832 Pope Gregory ordained St Eugene De Mazenod as Bishop of Marseilles.
In 1841 St Eugene De Mazenod sent the first foreign ministry to Canada and England.
In 1847 he set up foundations in America and in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
In 1856 he set up another foundation in Ireland
In 1858 he sent more missionaries abroad, this time to Mexico.
St Eugene De Mazenod died on May 21st 1861.
In 1975, Eugene De Mazenod was beatified by Pope Paul VI, and was canonised by Pope John Paul II, in 1995.
(All information from the leaflet produced by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate)