The Pallottines officially named the Society of the Catholic Apostolate ( la, Societas Apostolatus Catholici), abbreviated SAC is a
Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right for men in the
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
, founded in 1835 by the Roman Catholic priest
Saint Vincent Pallotti. Pallottines are part of the
Union of Catholic Apostolate
Union of Catholic Apostolate is a Catholic association established by a Roman priest St. Vincent Pallotti in 1835.
History
With a group of associates and collaborators, Vincent Pallotti developed in the city of Rome a large structure of apostoli ...
and are present in 45 countries on six continents. The Pallottines administer one of the largest churches in the world, the
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro in
Côte d'Ivoire.
History
Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome in 1795. Together with a group of associates and collaborators, he developed in the city of Rome a large structure of apostolic activity, which included assisting the poor, the sick, and the marginalized; founding orphanages, institutions of charity, and shelters; and ministering to soldiers, workers, students, and prisoners. The Society, as a community of priests and brothers, was founded in Rome by Pallotti in 1835.
Vincent Pallotti died on 22 January 1850, without having seen the full development of his work. His closest collaborators continued his mission, ensuring further development of the Society. Vincent Pallotti was beatified in 1950 and canonized on 20 January 1963 by
Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII ( la, Ioannes XXIII; it, Giovanni XXIII; born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, ; 25 November 18813 June 1963) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 28 October 1958 until his death in June 19 ...
.
Apostolate
Not long after the death of his wife, Marianne, in 1880, English poet
Coventry Patmore
Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore (23 July 1823 – 26 November 1896) was an English poet and literary critic. He is best known for his book of poetry '' The Angel in the House'', a narrative poem about the Victorian ideal of a happy marriage.
...
contacted the Pallotines about establishing a church in Hastings.
St Mary Star of the Sea Church opened on 2 July 1883 and as of 2019 is still served by the Pallottines.
The