THIRD CENTENARY OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

VATICAN CITY, MAY 24, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Pope to Fr. Pierre Schouver, superior general of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, on the occasion of the celebration, next year, of the third centennial of the order, founded on May 27, 1703 by 24-year old deacon Claude-Francois Poullart des Piaces. In 1848, Fr. Francois Libermann became the second founder, uniting this congregation to that of the Sacred Heart of Mary which he founded in 1841.

In the message, dated May 20, the Holy Father gives thanks to God for the work done by the congregation during these three centuries, "notably in the evangelization of Africa, the Antilles and South America." And he invites them "to remain faithful to the dual heritage of your founders: care of the poor ... and missionary service."

MESS;HOLY SPIRIT CONGREGATION;...;SCHOUVER;VIS;20020524;Word: 150;