History
1. Timeline of Our History
- France : 1820 (Origin)
- Spain: 1843
- Belgium: 1854
- Algeria: 1857 – 1863
- Sri Lanka: 1862
- Lesotho: 1864
- South Africa: 1865
- England: 1865
- Ireland: 1868
- Scotland: 1868 – 1886
- Italy: 1870
- Canada:1901
- Brazil:1908
- Poland: 1934
- RD Congo: 1948
- Cameroun: 1949
- Paraguay: 1965
- Chad:1968
- Argentina: 1971
- Pakistan: 1975
- Togo: 1976 – 1980
- Peru: 1977
- India: 1978
- Philippines: 1984
- German: 1987 – 1994
- Belours :2004 – 2007
- Rwanda:1997
- Uganda: 1999
- Botswana: 2001 – 2012
- Burkina Faso: 2018
- Malawi: 2018
- Kenya: 2025
2. Explanation of our Logo
In the centre, as in the original, three leaves of the shamrock symbolize the Holy Family: Jesus (blue), Mary (silver/white), and Joseph (sable) with a purple stem. The shield is formed from the God Alone Cross on the left, representing our spirituality, and on the right, a branch with five leaves symbolizing our five vocations. At the bottom, is our motto “Gloire à Dieu Seul” The treble clef intertwined with the cross signifies that ‘each has its own song but all merge into one voice’ to sing in perfect harmony, “Glory to God, Glory to God Alone”.
3. Foundation Story:
From his seminary days Fr.Noailles had conceived the idea of founding an association open to all
vocations. He started realizing this desire in his first parish of St.Eulalie by starting the Catechism of
Perseverance with lay people. In this rich soil of lay commitment, was planted the first religious
community. Caroline Romain, Seconde Giraudet and Catherine Aimée Noailles came together with
the desire to consecrate themselves by religious vows, to live in community and to be engaged in
the service of others. They started their community on 27th May 1820, the eve of the feast of the
Holy Trinity, having for all their resources only 80 francs. As time passed, they received more
members, moved to other places, and responded to many needs. Fr.Noailles guided the members
spiritually and wrote their Rule of Life. As new needs were seen and ministries increased they were
organised into different Branches. The Consecrated Seculars, Priests and Contemplatives were also
founded. The Lay Associates who had been present since the beginning became more active and were
solemnly received into the Association.
We need to remember that what Fr.Noailles wanted to found was not a religious congregation as such,
but an Association open to all vocations. The Apostolic Religious Group was part of that Association.