The holiness of Jesus Christ must dwell within the missionary, and this holiness must at the same time be rooted in his interior life and manifested in his conduct through his labour and through his suffering. In this way, following the example of Jesus Christ, he brings souls to birth for God in truth, because he communicates to them the life of the Saviour that is within him.

François Libermann («Instructions aux Missionnaires», N.D XIII, 405)

1788 | C.S.Sp.

M. Duflos succeeds M. Becquet as the 5th Superior General. He tried, unsuccessfully, to ensure that the Congregation would remain officially recognised in France in the wake of the revolution.

1839 | C.S.Sp.

One the feast of Saints Simon and Jude, François Libermann receives “a little bit of light”, which pushes him to get involved in the “Work for the Black People”. It marks the beginning of his missionary vocation.

1859 | C.S.Sp.

A decree of Père Schwindenhammer, the Superior General, separates the missions of Gabon and Senegambia. Gabon becomes a Vice-Province, depending directly on the Mother House.

1859 | Ireland

Père Jules Leman and three other confreres arrive in Ireland.

1900 | Belgium

The Congregation is given a huge house and garden at Lier by M. Wégimont, a rich business man, to be used as a Junior Seminary.

1925 | Trinidad

Alfred Monteil, ordained in Paris, is the first Trinidadian to become a Spiritan priest.

1951 | Spain

Feast of Christ the King. The first work in Spain begins in Madrid. The community starts in a rented apartment in the Calle Joaquin García Morato.