“Do Canadians Really Have Religion?” The Mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Alberta (1910‑40)

This article examines the mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) in Alberta. It traces the mission’s development from difficult beginnings to its progressive crisis. It also considers the practical challenges of pastoral work among scattered, multilingual Catholic communities, and the pressure exerted on religious vocation by life in a markedly secularized and utilitarian society. The article concludes by analyzing why the mission failed to consolidate a stable Dehonian presence in Alberta.