Be holy, and urge all your confrères to be holy (…). Be holy as Jesus was holy; it is the one and only means of redeeming and sanctifying souls. Let the Spirit of Jesus animate all your actions; let Him shape every sentiment of your soul; let Him soften and moderate every impulse of sharpness in the mind, every harsh or rigid feeling of the heart — in a word, everything passionate or disordered within the soul (…). May He communicate to your heart the gentleness and humility of which the divine Master has given us the example.

François Libermann (N.D XIII, 143-144)

1872 | USA

Corporate involvement of the Congregation in the form of a vice-province begins when Fr. George Ott (of the German province) and two others sail for the USA to establish a community in Kentucky. When this fails, they move to Ohio.

1933 | Ireland

A property at Kilshane, Tipperary, is purchased in August and opens as a Novitiate for both clerics and brothers. It is able to accommodate 60 residents, novices and staff. Of the 1,771 entrants as clerical novices over 50 years, 1,256 are professed.

1981 | Rome

Pope John Paul II visits the French Seminary. During the 150 years since its foundation, the seminary has had 14 rectors, all of whom were Spiritans.

1987 | South African Foundation

The Laval house of studies opens with Fr. John Moriarty as its first Director.