In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, Jonathan Sitko, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the history of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, founded by St. Vincent Pallotti.
In this episode of On Mission, Sarah Harrigan Scalfaro, Chris Pierno, Jonathan Sitko, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the history of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, founded by St. Vincent Pallotti.
St. Vincent Pallotti’s foundation had a very remarkable history. Having all people united as apostles of Christ was the dream of St. Vincent Pallotti and from the beginning this group took on a new form of an “Association” and immediately in 1835 it received the approval of the competent ecclesiastical authority. It is a community, which unites priests, religious, lay people and takes the name “Catholic Apostolate”. This community started many new initiatives answering to the many needs of the Church (Foreign Missions, Local Missions, Retreat Work) and in the city of Rome (evening schools, a soup kitchen, orphanage – Pia Casa di Carità, etc.).
But the new ideas soon met with suspicion, many people could not understand his ideas and Vincent Pallotti had to defend his vision and his foundation again and again. After his death the name of his foundation of priests and brothers was changed into “Pious Mission Society” and there remained only this community and one of sisters. But the members of these communities never forgot that the idea of Pallotti was more than their present realization.
Now, in the new millennium, St. Vincent Pallotti's idea has become a living reality again. On October 28, 2003, the Union of the Catholic Apostolate received the official approval and blessing of the universal Church from the Pontifical Council of the Laity. This happened only after much study of St. Vincent's charism and reformulation of their individual guidelines by the various Pallottine groups that have continued to hold St. Vincent as their founder. Hence, the reason for the name -- Union of Catholic Apostolate. And the Union is simply -- men and women, lay, religious and priests -- working together for the glory of God and working to spread the name of Jesus while fostering His love among all peoples.
Related Episodes:
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Christmas Season
Resources:
IV International Congress of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate
What is a Saint? (St. Vincent Pallotti video)
St. Vincent Pallotti and the Union of Catholic Apostolate (webinar)