During a ceremony that took place in the Dicastery's Aula Magna, the Decree by which the International Community of the Divine Savior was granted recognition as an International Association of the faithful was delivered.
The Lay Salvatorians' history
The International Community of the Divine Savior, or Lay Salvatorians, is autonomous but an integral part of the Salvatorian Family, along with the Society of the Divine Savior and the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Savior.
The Society of the Divine Savior is an international religious congregation of priests and brothers within the Catholic Church, founded in Rome on Dec. 8, 1881, by Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan as part of an apostolate aimed at getting men and women from all walks of life involved in promoting faith in Christ throughout every culture.
It was in the years following the Second Vatican Council that a specific branch for lay people was established: currently, there are more than 1,800 Lay Salvatorians, in 18 countries throughout several continents, including Asia, Africa and the Americas.
To live and proclaim God's unconditional love
Lay Salvatorians are called to “live and proclaim God’s unconditional love” and to "proclaim Salvation to all people, so that through the life they live and their apostolic activities, all may come to 'know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ' (Jn 17:3)."
They "are devoted to renewing human society through the Gospel", attempting to transform society through their way of life so that the people they meet may "discover salvation in the midst of the difficulties, needs and desires of daily life" (Statutes, Article 3).
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life congratulates the International Community of the Divine Saviour and the entire Salvatorian family, wishing them always a fruitful mission at the service of the Church and people.