St.
Vincent’s new society was committed to addressing
the many social needs of the day. He took a particular interest
in the young girls orphaned by the political upheaval of
the day and the cholera plague. In June of 1838 the Society
opened a house of refuge and education, the “Pia Casa
di Carità,”or “Pious House of Charity”
for them and entrusted them to the care of several pious
women. The Founder dressed them in the habit of the Third
Order of St. Francis. The work was able to go forward with
the assistance of committed laity. While the religious and
civil education of young girls has always had a prominence
in the apostolic works of the community, changing times
required changing apostolates
Thus
was born the Pious Society of the Catholic Apostolate which
today is known as the Union of the Catholic Apostolate, an
association of religious, clergy and laity. The main apostolic
thrust of our religious communities today takes its tone from
this original inspiration. We see our task as that of reviving
faith, rekindling charity and fostering unity. We see that
these ends are consistent with our understanding of
