HISTORIC PROSPECT OF THE CONGREGATION

13.7.1877: Msgr. Thibaudien with an autographed letter authorized the venerated Father Founder to put his project into effect with the opening of St. John's College in Saint Quentin. This letter could be considered the act of foundation of our Congregation.

16/31.7.1877: The venerated Founder wrote the first Constitutions during the Spiritual Exercises and began his noviciate on the last day of the month.

15.8.1877: Father Founder went to live in St. John's College and on 8.9.1877 celebrated the first holy Mass in the small chapel of the College. He held, on behalf of the Bishop of Soissons, the office of Superior of St. John's Institute until 2.11.1893. In the eyes of the State and in the eyes of the families of the students, he was legal Superior until 29.1.1896.

28.6.1878: On the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father Founder made his first profession: this is the dies natalis of our Congregation.

12.8.1878: The priest, Adrien Rasset is accepted as the first novice of the new Congregation. He made his first profession 8.9.1879.

14.9.1878: The first religious house of our Congregation is opened in Saint Quentin and is called House of the Sacred Heart (Rue Richelieu). In this house, today destroyed, the first novices of the Congregation were formed by Father Dehon. This was the Mother House of the Congregation and right until 1903 it was also tile headquarters of the General Curia.

1.11.1878: The Seminarian Eugène Paris entered our Congregation: he was the first novice who was not a priest. He made his first profession the 1.11.1880.

29.6.1880: Sacred Orders were conferred for the first time in our Congregation: the novice Ernest Jacques Herr was consecrated priest, the novice, Eugene Paris received the sub-diaconate and the novice, Mattilias Legrand, the tonsure.

2.1882: In a petition sent to the Holy Father, the Father Founder expressed tile desire that his Work be approved by the Holy See. In this petition it is said that the members of the Institute number 40.

21.11.1882: The first Apostolic School is born in Fayet (a few kilometres from Saint Quentin); it is called after Saint Clement, a young Roman martyr whose body had been donated to Father Dehon in 1877. In 1903, because of the persecution laws of Combes, tile Apostolic School of Fayet had to be transferred to Belgium.

2.2.1883: The first religious house, beyond the frontiers of France, is opened in Sittard (Holland). At first, it served as a novitiate and as an international apostolic school; then, in 1908, it became a house of the Germanic Province. Therefore, Sittard can be considered as the cradle of this Province.

3.12.1883: Following tile judgement expressed on tile 28.11.1883 by the Cardinal Consultors of tile Holy Office, tile Holy See promulgated tile Decree which suppressed tile Congregation of the Oblates of the Sacred Heart. (This Decree which was received by the Fr. Founder on the 8.12.1883, was not put into effect by the Bishop of Roermond in whose diocese can be found the town of Sittard).

29.3.1884: Tiie Holy See grants permission to re-constitute the Congregation as an Diocesan Institute having as title Priests of the Sacred Heart (Prêtres du Sacré-Coeur).

4.11.1884: Tile first Scholasticate of the Congregation is begun in Lille. Because of tile Combes persecution in 1903, it had to close.

2.8.1885: Msgr. Thibaudier approved ad experimentum the new Constitutions re-written by the Father Founder. On the 15.9.1886. he stated that these Constitutions have an obligatory value for one year for all components. Tho these Constitutions is added the first Spiritual Directory of the Congregation. The successive editions of tile Directory, reviewed and corrected, bear the following dates: 1891, 1905, 1908, 1919 (which is the definitive edition and which was re-published in 1928 and 1936.

1886: The first Thesaurus Precum of the Congregation is printed and published. However, right from the beginning of the Congregation, a lithographic edition of tile Thesaurus, was in use. Subsequent editions bear the dates: 1891, (tile first Thesaurus which has a public value), 1902, 1909, 1926, 1954 (last typical edition).

15/16.9.1886: During tile first General Chapter held in St. John's College in Saint Quentin, the Father Founder is re-elected Superior General.

17.9.1886: Father Founder, together with six other confreres, took their perpetual vows.

28.1887: In the report sent to the Holy See to obtain approval of the Congregation, Father Founder stated that in the year 1887, the Institute had 8 houses in 4 dioceses and 87 members of whom 7 were religious with perpetual vows, 46 professed with temporary vows, 10 brothers, 20 novices and 4 postulants.

21.2.1888: A letter arrived from Equador by which Father Julio Matovelle accepted the fusion of his Congregation, the Oblates of Divine Love, with our own. This was the commencement of our apostolate in Equador which was the first activity of a missionary nature, of our Congregation.

25.2.1888: The holy See granted the Congregation the Decretum Laudis. From that date, our Congregation is of pontifical right.

16/24.8.1888: During the second General Chapter held in Saint Quentin in Saint John's College, Father Founder is elected Superior General for life.

10.11.1888: Fathers Grison and Blanc (Irénée) leave for Equador They arrive in Cuenca en 15.12.1888 and in 1890 they settle in Bahia de Caraquez, a small town in the diocese of Portoviejo.

2.7.1889: The house of Clairefontaine (Belgium) is founded: in a short time, this was the house which introduced us in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

1891: Father Founder re-drafts the Constitutions, taking account of the Instructions which the Holy See had added to the Decretum Laudis. (Part of them are published in the Thesaurus of 1891 under the title Excerpta e Constitutionibus).

13.5.1891: The Holy See grants the Congregation the first Proprium Missarum et Officiorum.

6.11.1891: The General Procure is opened in Rome. The headquarters of the Procurator General to the Holy See also becomes residence of our scholastics who are completing their studies in Rome.

12.6.1893: Our Fathers begin their apostolate in Northern Brazil. The first house is erected in Camaragibe (Pernambuco).

6/7.9.1893: The Third General Chapter is held in Fourdrain.

15.8.1895: The first house is founded in Luxembourg (Limpertsberg).

1896: The Procure for the Missions is opened in Brussels. The Congregation enters Belgium by this means. From 1903 to 1926, the house in Brussels will also be the official headquarters of the General Curia.

12.6.1896: On the least of the Sacred Heart, our Fathers leave Bahia de Caraquez being expelled by the Massonic government. Thus ends our apostolic activity in Equador.

31/8 - 1/9. 1896: The fourth General Chapter is held at the House of the Sacred Heart in Saint Quentin.

1.1897: In the triennial report sent to the Holy See, it is stated that the number of houses belonging to the Congregation is 15 and its members, including novices, number 182: of these, 62 are priests, 63 scholastics, 17 brothers and 40 novices.

25.3.1897: Father Founder accepts the Congo Mission: This is the first Mission, properly speaking, of the Congregation.

6.7.1897: Fathers Grison and Lux leave for the Congo: On the 17.10.1897 they choose as the field of their apostolate, the area of Stanley-Falls and on 25.12.1897, Father Grison celebrates the first Mass in Saint Gabriel, near Stanleyville.

3.1898: The Congregation enters Tunisia. A parish in the city of Tunis is entrusted to us, but after two years, because of various difficulties which befell us, we abandoned this field of the apostolate.

14/15.9.1899: The fifth General Chapter is held at Saint Quentin, in the house of the Sacred Heart.

6.12.1900: The apostolic school of Bergen op Zoom (Holland) is opened. This foundation initiates the development of the Congregation in the Netherlands.

1902: Printing of the Constitutions revised in conformity with the Normae issued in 1901 by the Holy See for the approval of the new Institutes with simple Vows. This is the first latin edition of the Constitutions.

11/12.9.1902: The sixth General Chapter is celebrated in Louvain (Demi-Rue).

1903: The religious activity of our German Fathers begins in Southern Brazil. The first house is opened in Brusque (Santa Catarina).

1903: Our Fathers also begin their apostolate in Denmark. For 48 years, that is, until 1951, they offer their religious services in different parishes.

1.4.1903: The French Government, by an unjust Decree dissolves the Congregation and expells the religious from our Houses. On April 4th, 1903, the Holy See grants authorization to transfer the home of the General Curia from France to Brussels.

1904: The Congregation enters Bohemia (since 1919 part of Czechoslovakia). The first house is erected in Eger. In 1948, the activity of our Fathers in this country ceases.

3.8.1904: The Stanley-Falls Mission is erected into a Prefecture Apostolic and Father Emile Gabriel Grison is nominated Prefect Apostolic.

4.7.1906: The Holy See definitively approves the Congregation and ad decennium the Constitutions.

1906: The new edition of the Constitutions, following their approval ad decennium appears and the Normae issued by the Holy See in 1901, are applied more rigidly in these Constitutions.

17.8.1907: The General Council decides to accept the Mission in Finland and towards the end of the year, our Dutch Fathers begin their aposfolate in this country also. Expelled in 1911, they returned there in 1921.

8.9.1907: The apostolic school is inaugurated in Albino. This is the beginning of the Congregation's activity in Italy. (The Rome house, erected in 1891, was an international one).

10.3.1908: The Apostolic Prefecture of Stanley-Falls is raised to an Apostolic Vicariate. On the 12.3.1908, Msgr. Emile Gabriel Grison is nominated Vicar Apostolic of Stanley-Falls and consecrated bishop in Rome on 11.10.1908. (He is the first bishop in the Congregation). He resigned as Vicar Apostolic of Stanley-Falls the 28.3.1933 and died the 13.2.1942.

15/16.9.1908: The 7th General Chapter is held in Louvain (Chaussee de Bruxelles).

6.10.1908: The Holy See authorised the division of the Congregation into Provinces: The Western Province and the Eastern one are erected.

1909: The Congregation commences its activity in Austria. From this year onwards, one of our Fathers carried out his apostolate in Vienna. From 1911, there would be three priests and in 1913, the house in Vienna was opened.

4.1910: Four confreres leave for Canada and thus begin the Congregation's work in North America. The first house is erected in the town of Wainwright (Alberta). Following a fairly thriving period, various difficulties arose, which little by little jeopardised our activity in that country. Nevertheless, since 1948, the Congregation has shown a re-birth which is a cause for hope. 2.5.1974 vice-Provinces of English-speaking Canada and French-speaking Canada are made into Provinces.

23.4.1910: The Holy See gives us the faculty to celebrate the votive Mass of the Sacred heart of Jesus every first Friday of the mouth which is not liturgically forbidden.

25.4.1910: The Holy See is requested for a Mission in the Cameroun for the confreres in the German Province.

1911: The Congregation commences its apostolic activity in Sweden. Expelled from Finland in 1911, the Fathers are accepted in the Apostolic Vicariate of Sweden and until 1939, they carried out their religious services in many parishes of that country.

8.4.1911: The Western Province sub-divides into two Provinces: namely, the Dutch Province and the Franco-Belgian one. The Eastern Province also changes its name and from now on is known as the Germanic Province.

1912: The Fathers of the Germanic Province begin their missionary apostolale in the Cameroun.

14.6.1912: Four years after its erection, the Germanic Province manages to open a house in German territory. This is the Procure of the Krefeld Missions, founded to support financially the German Mission in Africa (Cameroun). The Congregation is only able to expand in Germany after the First World War.

26.11.1913: Rev. Fr. André Prévot died in the Noviciate of Brugelette (Belgium).

28.4.1914: Our Mission in the Cameroun is erected into the Apostolic Prefecture of Adamaua. On 29.4.1914, Father Gerhard Lennartz is nominated Prefect Apostolic. In 1919, the Company of Nations assigns the fiduciary administration of this part of the Cameroun to the French Republic and the Prefect Apostolic offers his resignation. In 1920, the Apostolic Prefecture of Adamaua passes from the German to the French Fathers and on the 7.2.1920, Father Joseph Donatien Plissonneau is nominated Prefect Apostolic.

1915: Some German confreres, in order not to be taken prisoners, disembark on the island of Fernando Poo (as that time under Spanish sovereignty). Here, for almost a year, they exercised their apostolic ministry in the town of Santa Isabella. (Today, the island of Fernando Poo is called Macias Nguema Biyogo and is part of Equatorial Guinea, while the town of Santa Isabella is called Malabo).

1916: The Congregation enters Spain. Some German missionaries leave the island of Fernando Poo and go to Spain where the bishop of Cadiz entrusts the parish ministry to them. So, the Congregation puts down roots in this country. The first house is founded in Puente la Reina (Navarre).

29/31.7.1919: The 8th General Chapter is held in Heer (Holland), today, Cadier en Keer.

13.11.1919: The General Council, during a session held in Brussels. decides to erect in Rome, a Church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the earnest desire of the Father Founder that the Congregation have its own Church in Rome as many religious Orders and Congregations do.

1920: Beginning of the Congregation in the United States of North America. At the end of 1919, Father Fohrman from the German Province, goes to North America to collect funds for his Province which has been greatly impoverished by the war which was lost. This Father is the founder of the founder of our first work in the United States of America. In 1923, he accepts the mission among the Red Indians of Lower Brule (South Dakota).

18.5.1920: In Rome, the ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King, takes place in the presence of the Father Founder.

8.6.1920: The Holy See erects the Apostolic Vicariate of Finland.

2.12.1920: The Italian Province is erected by separating the houses of Italy from the Franco-Belgian Province.

17.3.1921: Father Michael Buckx is nominated Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate of Finland with the privileges of a Prefect Apostolic.

18.7.1922: The Holy See, contravening what the Code of Canon Law prescribes, grants Father Founder the indult to be Superior General for life.

1.11.1922: The Rome Community is set up in the new house in Viale Mazzini. From 1926 to 1953, this house will be the home of the General Curia.

1923: Through the foundation of the Procure for the Mission, in Binnigen, near Basel, the Congregation enters Switzerland.

25.5.1923: Msgr. Michael Buckx is nominated Apostolic Vicar of Finland and the 15.8. 1923, he is consecrated Bishop in Helsinki by Cardinal Van Rossum. On the 20. 7. 1933, he tenders his resignation as Apostolic Vicar of Finland; he dies on 22.9.1946.

11.6.1923: Because of the changes in the frontiers of the Apostolic Prefecture of Adamaua, the new Apostolic Prefecture of Foumban is erected. Father Joseph Danatien Plissonneau becomes Prefect Apostolic of the new religious circumscription. In 1930, he resigns, for health reasons, and on 28.10.1930, he is succeeded as Prefect Apostolic by Father Paul Bouque.

12.6.1923: Erection of tile Apostolic Prefecture of Gariep in South Africa which is entrusted to the Fathers of the German Province. On 27.6.1923 Father Franziskus Demont is nominated Prefect Apostolic.

5.12. 1923: The Holy See approves the Constitutions definitively.

27.12.1923: The Apostolic Prefecture of Benkoelen for our missionaries in the Dutch Province is erected on the island of Sumatra. Thus in 1924, the Congregations also sets foot in Asia. The first mission is opened in Tanjung Sakti. On 28.5.1924, Father Harrie Smeets is nominated Prefect Apostolic of Benkoelen. On 19.1.1927, Father Harrie van Oort replaces him as Pro Prefect Apostolic and the 19.1.1934, Father Henricus Mekkelholt is elected Prefect Apostolic.

1924: Following the definitive approval of the Constitutions, a new edition of them is issued, in keeping with the prescriptions of tile Code of Canon Law.

12.8.1925: Our Father Founder dies in a state of grace in Brussels. He had been preceded in death by 130 confreres. At that time, the state of the Congregation was as follows: 357 priests, 168 scholastics. 171 lay brothers, for a total of 696 religious plus 76 novices, for a total of 772 (the situation on 1.3.1925).

19/27.1.1926: The 9th General Chapter is celebrated in Rome. Father Joseph Laurent Philippe, is elected second Superior General, during this Chapter.

11.6.1926: In Rome, the crypt under the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King (under construction ) is inaugurated.

31.10.1926: The headquarters of the General Curia is moved to Rome. (Authorisation of the Holy See is dated 14.12.1926).

31.7.1927: In execution of the Bull of 31.10.1926 (Feast of Christ the King), tile Parish of the Sacred Heart of Peaceful Christ the King, is erected in Rome.

1.9.1928: Erection of a house of the Congregation in Cracow. Thus, Poland also opens its doors to our Institute. (Some Polish Fathers had already entered the Congregation previously and had received their formation in Belgium, France and Italy).

1.10.1930: The Franco-Belgian Province divides into two and forms the French Province and the Belgian-Luxembourg Province.

22/29.8.1932: The 10th General Chapter is held in Louvain.

24.7.1933: The Apostolic Vicariate of Finland, up to then immediately subordinate to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide is entrusted to our Congregation.

19.12.1933: Father Guillaume Cobben is called to succeed Msgr. Michael Buckx who had tendered his resignation- Father Cobben receives the episcopal ordination in Bergen op Zoom the 19.3.1934. On 25.2.1955 the Apostolic Vicariate of Finland changes name and becomes the diocese of Helsinki and Msgr. Cobben is nominated bishop of Helsinki. On 29.6.1967, he resigns from the governing of the diocese.

1.2.1934: Father Camille Verfaillie is nominated Vicar Apostolic of Stanleyville in succession to Msgr. Emile Gabriel Grison. On the 27.5.1934, he is consecrated bishop in Brussels in the Chapel of the Procure for the Missions.

25.4.1934: Through their separation from the Germanic Province, two Provinces are erected: the North American Province and the South Brazilian Province.

19/20.5.1934: In Rome, the altars are consecrated and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King is solemnly inaugurated.

28.5.1934: The Apostolic Prefecture of Foumban is elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate and Msgr. Paul Bouque is nominated its Vicar Apostolic. On 21.11.1934, he is consecrated bishop in Metz cathedral. On 14.9.1955, he becomes the residential bishop of the new diocese of Nkongsamba and on the 16.6.1964, he resigns from the governing of his diocese. (On the same day he is succeeded by Msgr. Albert Ndongmo of the diocesan clergy who is consecrated bishop the 16.8.1964. On 29.1.1973, Msgr. Ndongmo resigns his mandate and Msgr. Thomas Nkuissi, also of the diocesan clergy, is nominated Apostolic Administrator, and is consecrated bishop the 15.4.1973. On 5.2.1970, the diocese of Nkongsamba is divided into two parts and the new diocese of Bafoussam is instituted. On the same day, Msgr. Denis Ngandé is nominated bishop of Bafoussam and receives the episcopal ordination the 5.4.1970; he died the 28.2.1978).

8.6.1934: Publication of the Regulae ac Praescriptiones in which are collected the decrees decisions and directions issued in the various General Chapters, especially the 9th and 10th. The Statutum pro Missionibus, approved the 28.5.1934 by the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide was included in this commentary of the Constitutions.

25.4.1935: Father Joseph Laurent Philippe, second Superior General of the Congregation, is elected coadjutor bishop, with right of succession, to the bishop of Luxembourg. On the 9.6.1935, he is consecrated in Rome in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King and the 9.10.1935 becomes bishop of the Luxembourg. He died the 21.10.1956.

23/29.10.1935: During the 11th General Chapter held in Rome, Father Willein Theodorus Govaart is elected third Superior General.

1936: The Congregation enters England. Since the year 1934, preparations were already under way for the introduction of the Congregation into that country, but only in 1936 however, was the parish of Redbourn accepted and this was the beginning of the spread of the Congregation in the British Isles.

27.1.1936: The Apostolic Prefecture of Gariep is raised to an Apostolic Vicariate and Msgr. Franziskus Demont is nominated Vicar Apostolic on 22.3.1936, he is consecrated bishop in Aachen cathedral and he resigns in December 1943. He died the 15.6.1964.

1938: The Congregation planted its roots in Argentina. Since 1936, two Spanish priests, refugees of the civil war which bloodied their country, had already exercised their sacred ministry in the parish of Barranco (Santa Fé), but their activity was rather occasional and temporary. In April 1938, the Congregation entered Argentina with two groups: Dutch and Italian. The first parish entrusted to the Dutch Fathers was in Tafi Viejo (province of Tucuman). The Italians began in the two parishes of Pérez and Villa Guillermina (Santa Fé).

12.3.1938: With its separation from the Dutch Province, the Northern Brazilian Province is erected.

13.12.1938: The consecration of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King takes place in Rome.

13.6.1939: The Apostolic Prefecture of Benkoelen is elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate with the name of Palembang. On the 11.7.1939, Msgr. Henricus Mekkelholt is nominated Vicar Apostolic and the 29.10.1939, (feast of Christ the King), he received in Rome the episcopal consecration from Pope Pius XII. On the 3.1.1961, he becomes residential bishop of the new diocese of Palembang and on the 5.4.1963, he offered his resignation from the governing of the diocese and died the 26.12.1969.

9.11.1940: The new parish of El Salvador in the city of Montevideo is accepted and the Congregation commences its apostolate in Uruguay.

10.1.1947: Three new Provinces are erected: the English, Spanish and Polish Provinces.

13.3.1947: Father Johannes Lueck is nominated Vicar Apostolic of Aliwal, as successor to Msgr. Franziskus Demont who had already resigned in 1943. On the 15.5.1947, he is consecrated bishop in the town of Aliwal. On the 11.1.1951, he becomes residential bishop of the same town, shortly before that elevated to an episcopal see, and on the 17.12.1973, he resigns.

27.3.1947: The Italian Fathers begin their missionary apostolate in Mozambique. The first two missions are those of Alto Molóuè and Nauela.

3/14.10.1947: The 12th General Chapter is held in Bologna and Father Willem Theodorus Govaart is re-elected Superior General.

17.10.1947: The Apostolic school is founded in Funchal (Island of Madeira) and the Congregation commences its work in Portugal. During the same year, a house is also opened in Lisbon.

10.3.1949: From the Vicariate of Stanley-Falls, which from now onwards will be called The Apostolic Vicariate of Stanleyville, a part of the territory is detached in order to build the new Apostolic Vicariate of Wamba. On the same day, Father Jozef Wittebols is nominated Vicar Apostolic of the new Vicariate; the 16.6.1949 he is consecrated bishop in our chapel in the Procure for the Missions in Brussels and on the 10.11.1959, he becomes the residential bishop of the new diocese of Wamba. He was cruelly murdered on 26.11.1964, during the rebellion of the Simba in Zaire. (On 5.9.1968, Msgr. Gustave Olombé of the diocesan clergy, is elected bishop of Wamba and is consecrated on 2.2.1969).

1950: The Congregation is definitively established in Chile (where since 1948, some Dutch Fathers had already exercised their sacred ministry on a temporary basis). The parish in Teno is accepted and a college is founded in the city of Santiago.

11.1.1951: The Apostolic Vicariate of Aliwal is made into a diocese.

19.6.1952: A part of the territory of the Apostolic Vicariate of Palembang is detached in order to erect a new Apostolic Prefecture with the title of Tandjung-Karang. Father Albertus Hermelink is nominated Prefect Apostolic of the new ecclesiastical circumscription on 27.6.1952.

1953: Two Spanish Fathers commence their apostolic activity in Venezuela where, in 1956, they open the first house in Caracas.

24.3.1953: The diocese of Aliwal is divided and with the territory taken from it, the new Apostolic Prefecture of De Aar is constituted. On the same day, Father Louis Dettmer is nominated Prefect Apostolic.

7.9.1953: Father Willem Theodorus Govaart, third Superior General of the Congregation, dies in Rome.

9.10.1953: Official inauguration in Rome of the present headquarters of the General Curia and of the Leon Dehon International College.

7/25.1.1954: The 13th General Chapter is held in Rome, during which the fourth Superior General of the Congregation is elected - Father Alfons Lellig.

1.12.1954: The Belgian-Luxembourg Province is divided into two Provinces: the Flemish Vice-Province and the Luxembourg-Walloon Vice-Province.

25.2.1955: The Apostolic Vicariate of Finland is raised to the status of a diocese and given the name of Helsinki.

14.9.1955: The Apostolic Vicariate of Foumban is raised to the status of a diocese and given the name Nkongsamba.

1956: The latest edition of the Constitutions is printed with some changes and additions.

21.10.1956: Death in Luxembourg of Msgr. Joseph Laurent Philippe, Bishop of that city and second Superior General of the Congregation.

7.5.1958: Father Nicolas Kinsch is nominated Vicar Apostolic of Stanleyville and succeeds Msgr. Camille Verfaillie who had resigned. On 11.10.1958, Msgr. Kinsch is consecrated Bishop in Stanleyville. On 10.11.1959, with the constitution of the ecclesiastical hierarchy in Belgian Congo, Stanleyville becomes an archi-episcopal see and Msgr. Kinsch is nominated Archbishop. (Since 30.5.1966, the city of Stanleyville has been known as Kisangani). On 26.9.1967, Msgr. Kinsch resigned and died the 23.3.1973. (On 26.9.1967. Msgr. Augustin Fataki of the diocesan clergy is elected Archbishop of Kisangani and the 28.1.1968, he receives the episcopal consecration.

13.12.1958: Death in Rome of Father Alfons Lellig, fourth Superior General of the Congregation.

9/17.7.1959: The 14th General Chapter is held in Rome and Father Joseph Anthony De Palma is elected fifth Superior General of the Congregation.

11.7.1959: Father Honorato Piazera is nominated auxiliary bishop to the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro. On 11.10.1959, he is consecrated in Corupá and, since 17.11.1973. he has been bishop of the diocese of Lages (Santa Catarina).

10.11.1959: The Apostolic Vicariate of Stanleyville becomes an archdiocese and the Apostolic Vicariate of Wamba, a diocese.

1.5.1960: The Italian Province divides into two forming the Northern Italian Province and the Southern Italian one. On the same day, the Flemish and the Luxembourg-Walloon Vice Provinces become Provinces.

3.1.1961: With the institution of the ecclesiastical hierarchy in Indonesia, the Apostolic Vicariate of Palembang and the Apostolic Prefecture of Tandjung-Karang become dioceses. Father Jozef Hubertus Soudant is nominated coadjutor bishop, with right of succession, to the bishop of Palembang. On 29.6.1961, he is consecrated in Palembang and the 5.4.1963, he succeeds Msgr. Henricus Mekkelholt as residential bishop.

19.7.1961: Msgr. Albertus Hermelink is elected bishop of Tandjung-Karang and is consecrated in Rome, the 29.10.1961.

1.2.1962: Erection of three Vice-Provinces: the English-speaking Canadian Vice-Province, the French-speaking Canadian Vice-Province, taken from the North American Province: and the Indonesian Vice-Province, separated from the Dutch Province.

21.4.1964: Father Paul Verschuren is elected coadjutor bishop, with right of succession, to the bishop of Helsinki. On 16.8.1964, he is consecrated bishop in Helsinki and on 29.6.1967, he succeeds Msgr. Guillaume Cobben as residential bishop.

1.7.1964: The Congolese Province is constituted and in future will be known as the Zaire Province.

3 and 25/27.11.1964: During the Simba rebellion in ex Belgian Congo, 27 of our missionaries are brutally massacred.

5.2.1965: The Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King in Rome is elevated to a Cardinal's Diaconal Church.

3.7.1965: The title of Minor Basilica is conferred on the same Church of the Sacred heart of Christ the King in Rome.

27/4 - 25/6. 1966: The first session of the 15th General Chapter of the Congregation is held in Rome.

27.12.1966: The Portuguese Province is erected by separating it from the Northern Italian Province.

13.4.1967: The Apostolic Prefecture of De Aar is formed into a diocese and Father Joseph Anthony De Palma, Superior General, is nominated bishop of the new diocese. He is consecrated in De Aar on 19.7.1967.

10/5 - 1/7. 1967: The second session of the 15th General Chapter (Special Chapter) is held in Rome and Father Albert André Corsini Bourgeois is elected sixth Superior General of the Congregation.

17/9 - 4/10. 1969: The first General Conference is held in Rome.

1970: A house is opened in Kilwinning and the Congregation thus enters Scotland.

6/13.10.1971: The Conference of Provincial Superiors is held in Hales Corners (USA).

23/5 - 7/7.1973: The 16th General Chapter is held in Rome. Father Albert André Corsini Bourgeois is re-elected Superior General.

17.12.1973: Father Everard Anthony Baaij is elected Bishop of Aliwal and is consecrated bishop in the same city on the 23.5.1974. He succeeds Msgr. Johannes Lueck who had resigned.

2.5.1974: Tie three Vice-Provinces of English-speaking Canada, French-speaking Canada and Indonesia are made into Provinces.

5.6.1974: Father José Do Couto is nominated coadjutor bishop, with right of succession, to the Bishop of Taubaté and is consecrated in Taubaté the 18.8.1974. He becomes residential bishop the 5.5.1976.

11.10.1974: Following the provisional publication of the pamhlet Our Rule of Life, on 3.11.1973. the typical edition of the same appears today. (In fact, the principal aim of the 16th General Chapter was the working out of the Congregation's Rule of Life).

18.10.1974: The General Council delegates the Provincial Superior of the Northern Italian Province to stipulate an agreement with the Bishop of Ambatondrazaka in Madagascar to have the mission of Imerimandroso. Meanwhile, the Congregation also sets foot in Madagascar.

1974: Towards the end of the year, our confreres in the United States of America arrive in Lesotho (South Africa), where, in Leribe, they take over the running of the technical school.

29.8.1975: Father Andreas Henrisoesanto is nominated auxiliary of the bishop of Tandjung-Karang and on 11.2.1976, he is consecrated bishop in the same city.

14/22.6.1976: The second General Conference is held in Capiago (Como) in Italy.

17.6.1977: The cycle of commemorative celebrations for the Centenary of the Congregation, opens in Rome at the Generalate.