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Home About Us

One Heart. One Spirit.

   The Spiritans are a Roman Catholic religious congregation founded in France in 1703. Today we have nearly 3,000 priests, brothers and Lay Spiritans.  With missions in over 60 countries around the world, we are involved in many diverse ministries including education, parish work and refugee ministry. 

    In the United States, we dedicate ourselves to working with the poor and marginalized in places where the church has difficulty finding ministers.  These works include education, parish ministry and retreat ministry in communities from Rhode Island to California. Our fathers and brothers also serve in missions around the world.

The provincial headquarters are located in The Spiritan Center, Bethel Park, PA, just 15 miles south of Pittsburgh. Please contact us if you have any questions or want to know more about the Spiritans.

A Practical Union with God

We are consecrated to the Holy Spirit and take Mary as our model. We try to live our daily in practical union with God. Read more

Learn more about Fr. Libermann, one of the Founders of the Spiritans.

 

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About Us

Duquense University  Duquesne University - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania   Academic excellence and the accessibility of education to all people is a top priority. Duquesne was recently named one of the top ten Catholic universities in Ameri... Read more
History of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit History of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit Spiritan History The history of the Spiritans over three centuries is the story of thousands of Fathers and Brothers and lay persons who have forgone society's aspirations to power, prestige, and wealth. Rather, they made -- and ... Read more
Visions for the Future Visions for the Future For the Spiritans, the journey into the future is not a guided tour, but rather an around-the-world adventure. On this adventure, the Holy Spirit is in charge, and the needs of the people on the side of the road will determine the stops ... Read more
The Spiritans: One Heart. One Spirit. The Spiritans: One Heart. One Spirit. Who We Are We are a group of men with many diverse personalities and backgrounds. We are called by God to serve those most in need throughout a great diversity of cultures. We recognize and lift up the Holy Spirit through education, mi... Read more
International Missions From the beginning, Spiritans have been offered a ministry of presence and of hope. Over three centuries, we have brought the Word of God to people on five continents. The Spiritans have a rich history of serving the poor and ... Read more
First Evangelization When Spiritans get to know a group of people and gradually introduce them to the Gospel message, we call it "first evangelization."  It brings the Good News about Jesus Christ to people who have never heard it before. It is n... Read more
Pastoral Services After a community embraces Christianity, its members need spiritual support and encouragement for their continued growth. Traditionally, missionaries: administer the sacraments and help the faithful learn more about their religi... Read more
Volunteers in Flight in Tanzania Fr. Pat Patten, C.S.Sp., has spent 20 years as a bush pilot in Tanzania, the only Spiritan and only priest of four Flying Medical Service volunteers. They provide regular preventive, curative, and emergency health care and health educati... Read more
Serving Africans in Tanzania Tanzania is a republic in the Indian Ocean in East Africa, of 35 million people, about 25 percent of whom are Catholic. The Spiritans in Tanzania work with both local and refugee populations, who mostly live in rural areas and ... Read more
Claude Poullard Des Places Claude Poullard Des Places Claude Poullard des Places 1679-1709  Original founder of the Holy Ghost Congregation From privilege to poverty, the life of Spiritan founder Claude des Places is an inspiring tale of transformation through the Holy Spirit. ... Read more
Des Places and his Family Des Places and his Family Claude des Places was born on February 25, 1679 in Rennes, the capital city of Brittany, France. He was the eldest child and only son of Francis des Places and Jeanne le Meneust. His parents were exemplary Christians and citizens, very hard... Read more
Des Places - Founding CSSp Des Places - Founding CSSp When Claude des Places began his studies for the priesthood at the Jesuit College in Paris in October 1701, probably the last thing on his mind was that two years later he would open a new seminary. However, as so often happens, the Holy ... Read more
Des Places In His Youth Claude des Places, one of the youngest founders of a major religious congregation, accomplished so much and influenced so many other young people during his short life, that he continues to be a role model for young people today. Like them,... Read more
Des Places - Spirituality True Devotion to the Holy Spirit Claude Poullart des Places and his early associates were devoted to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, titling their community to be "of the Holy Spirit". Spelled out in the first of the 263... Read more
Des Places - Seminarian Des Places - Seminarian  TO YOU ALONE, 0 God, it belongs to touch the hearts of people. In acknowledging your power, with what effect do I also acknowledge your love! You love me, divine Saviour, and prove it in a striking way. I know your tenderness is infin... Read more
Faces from the Spiritan World {besps}Ethiopia{/besps}             {besps}DomRep{/besps} Spiritans ... Read more
Exploring a Vocation We invite you to engage with us in this section as you meet many Spiritans, including our Vocation Director, Brother Michael Suazo, C.S.Sp. Could I be a Spiritan? Perhaps as you discover more about the Spiritans, their life in com... Read more
Welcome letter from Jeff Duaime Welcome to the Spiritan world! It is a wonderful place of great diversity and ample opportunities to be of service to others. I invite you to explore who we are and what we are about through this website; but, more importantly, I challenge... Read more
Welcome from Brother Michael Greetings in the Holy Spirit! American Spiritans are involved in missionary work both here and abroad. Ministries include parish ministry, educational works, and a variety of special ministries such as chaplaincies, retreat ministri... Read more
Called to be Spiritan Called to be Spiritan How do you know if you are called to be a Spiritan? Do you have some questions about religious life and the Spiritan community?   Welcome to the Spiritan World! Joining the Spiritans means having a vocation that gives ba... Read more
The Path to Spiritan Life   What is the journey to a Spiritan commitment like? It's not a decision that is made quickly or with little thought. To help each man who feels he is called to be a Spiritan brother or priest understand the commitment ... Read more
Overseas with Jeff Duaime Taking Chances for God The Overseas Training Program (OTP) is a vital component of the Spiritan formation process. Following the novitiate experience, candidates spend one year as a missionary working in a variety of cultural settings. ... Read more
Overseas with Bill Christy Life in a Kikatiti Parish in Tanzania 1989-1991 Overseas Training Program (OTP) could be likened to an internship. It's where a man in formation can experience the life of a missionary while still in formation and temporary commitment to t... Read more
Brother and Priest  Most people have some idea of what a priest is, but most are at a loss when asked what a religious brother is. Brothers and priests share a common identity as members of a specific religious community. The real difference is what t... Read more
Formation Houses Formation Houses Formation   Pre-Novitiate Laval House, Pittsburgh, PA A welcoming place to experience your pre-novitiate year. Found on the campus of Duquesne University, Laval House accommodates you as you begin your exploration in... Read more
Talk to a Spiritan Spiritans Reflect on their Vocations "Listen to the spirit speaking within you and through the Church. It's the spirit who enkindles your passion for service and for relationship with God in love. To follow the spirit means to grow... Read more
Vocation Contact    USA Province  Brother Michael Suazo, C.S.Sp. Holy Spirit Provincialate      Bethel Park, PA 15102-2214 412-831-0302, x416   If you think you may have a calling to r... Read more
Dong Chua Thanh Than - in a few words         Dòng Chúa Thánh Thần Dòng Chúa Thánh Thần gồm hơn 3000 tu sĩ truyền giáo đang phục vụ và mục vụ cho dân Chúa trên 52 quốc gia khắp năm châu. Hiện nay nhà dòng có 13 linh mục tu sĩ Việt Nam,  gồm... Read more
Associate Spiritans Who is an Associate Spiritan? Associate Spiritans are individuals called by God to live in practical union with God in the Spirit. While not vowed Spiritan "brothers" or "sisters", lay Spiritans are an essential p... Read more
A Journey Worth Making: The History of Spiritan Laity Lay members are central to the life and mission of the Spiritan community. They are also referred to as Sodales, the Latin term meaning "associates" which originates with the Congregation's  founders. From the start, we have ... Read more
Meet Some Lay Spiritans Lay Spiritans are an energetic and committed group of people who serve and relate to the Congregation in a many different ways to share their time and talents to make the world a better place.   Read profiles and thoughts fro... Read more
Turning Pages Turning Pages   A Weekly Book Discussion Group Every month we will discuss a new book selection. Join us on Fridays, 10:30 a.m.-noon, followed by lunch. The cost for lunch is $10. Books may be purchased on your own or at the ... Read more
Retreats and Classes Retreats and Classes     Under construction - please check back again in the next few months. Thank you for your patience.     Women’s Retreat 2011 January 28-29  7 p.m. Fr... Read more
Welcome to the Spiritan Center Welcome to the Spiritan Center Formation, Retreat, Renewal The Spiritan Center, south of the city of Pittsburgh in Bethel Park, is a ministry of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. The Center offers retreats, days of renewal, programs in faith formation and ... Read more
Archconfraternity of the Holy Ghost    The Confraternity of the Holy Ghost was canonically established in the Chapel of Holy Ghost Missionary College, Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania, on October 8, 1912. By Apostolic Letters of His Holiness Pope Pius XI it... Read more
Prayers Common Prayers for Spiritans The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Understanding,  Right Judgment,  Courage,  Knowledge,  Reverence and Wonder-Awe. Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost: O Lord Jesus C... Read more
About us   About the Spiritans The Spiritans have been in the business of evangelization and serving those in need for more than 300 years. Our first founder, Claude Poullart des Places, felt God tugging at his heart and wanted to do... Read more
Spiritan Heritage UNKNOWN { 13044490188753: } UNKNOWN { 13044490188758: } The spirituality of our cofounder is vital for our time. Growing up as a Jew, Francis Mary Paul Libermann came to know the living God of Abraham, Isaac,... Read more
Lay Spiritan Spirituality UNKNOWN { 13044460045503: } The Chaos of Life Spiritan spirituality brings order out of the chaos of daily life by leading us into the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Libermann's practical spirituality shows the way to experien... Read more
Spiritans in South Africa Spiritans first set foot on South African soil in 1878. That year Fr. Duparquet took over the Prefecture of Cimbebasia which then comprised parts of Angola, Namibia and Botswana. Conflict and communication difficulties forbade further wo... Read more
Spiritans in Ethiopia Ethiopia In 1972 the first Spiritans came to Ethiopia in response to their call as a congregation of missionaries.  This decision followed an expulsion of Irish Spiritans from Nigeria during the civil war in the late 1960s. ... Read more
Education Education   Among their many and varied ministries, U.S. Spiritans place a great emphasis on education. They work in eight universities, two graduate programs of theological education, five secondary schools, and... Read more
Holy Ghost Prep Holy Ghost Preparatory School - Bensalem, Pennsylvania  With Christ at the center, Holy Ghost Preparatory School aspires to form young men morally, intellectually, and spiritually in the Spiritan tradition. This tradition foster... Read more
One Heart. One Spirit. One Heart. One Spirit.    The Spiritans are a Roman Catholic religious congregation founded in France in 1703. Today we have nearly 3,000 priests, brothers and Lay Spiritans.  With missions in over 60 countries around the world, we are... Read more
Missions in Australia Because of the early Spiritan tradition of the “evangelization of freed slaves”, Spiritan ministries have flourished and continue to do so in Africa, the Caribbean and South America.  As times changed the Spiritans respo... Read more
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Spiritans have been ministering in Haiti for more than 150 years but 2004 brought the first Spiritan missionary presence in the neighboring country of the Dominican Republic, in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguan... Read more
Timeline for Taiwan/Vietnam 1992 -  The Spiritan General Chapter of Itaici asks to prepare a New Initiative in Asia. 1995 -  September to June 1996: Fr. Binh Quach (USA) learns Chinese language in Fu-Jen University, Taipei. 1997 - December 4-10: f... Read more
Mission in Taiwan/Vietnam There are nine Spiritan confreres in Taiwan in the parishes of St. John and the Holy Spirit Parish.  They serve as parish priests for the locals from China and Vietnam, help in the orphanages and with other charities, offer com... Read more
Missions in Mexico After 10 years as a missionary priest with the African-Americans in Opelousas, Louisiana, and 10 years in Puerto Rico, Frank Kichak, C.S.Sp., was sent to the Huasteca Potosina in the State of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in 1979. Here i... Read more
Leadership in Puerto Rico   Fr. Robert Eberhert was the first Principal Superior named for Puerto Rico. He was later elected to the General Council in Rome. Fr. Vincent Niederberger finished Fr. Eberhert's term. Fr. Jacob Grossman wa... Read more
Vocations in Puerto Rico In 1975, Fr. Neil McQuillan was named Vocation Director and one year later the congregation opened a formation program within Regina Cleri Seminary in the diocese of Ponce with five candidates. All of us in Puerto Rico pray for young peo... Read more
History of U.S. Province From our first mission member in 1794 to the unification of the provinces in 2009, the U.S. Spiritans have been helping the poor and marginalized around the world. Today there are about 100 Spiritans in 19 American parishes; in various e... Read more