We, the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, are a community embedded in a large international network called the Union of the Catholic Apostolate (UAC – from the Latin Unio Apostolatus Catholici).
Saint Vincent Pallotti (April 21, 1795 – January 22, 1850)
Vincent Pallotti is the starting point of our community. Adept at networking, he brought dedicated people together and with them, he formed a union, (…) “shaped in such a way that all Catholics, ecclesiastics and seculars, men and women, learned and ignorant, poor and rich, noble and plebeian, whatever may be their state, profession and fortune could be part of it.” (Pallotti)
Such egalitarianism was something new and unheard of in the church of the 19th century. Thus, the realisation of this idea was initially blocked by the Vatican.
Pallotti lived in Rome from 1795 to 1850. He came from a religious family. Due to his poor state of health, he could…
The Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Societas Apostolatus Catholici-S.A.C.)
We, the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, are a community embedded in a large international network called the Union of the Catholic Apostolate (UAC – from the Latin Unio Apostolatus Catholici). Our members are called Pallottines, taken from the name of our founder, Vincent Pallotti. We are united in the fascination with the infinite God. We are guided by our confidence in the communion of all people and the vision of a united humanity, which combines diversity and unity.
We are all created in God’s image and have in Jesus Christ a loving firstborn brother. We know ourselves closely linked with all people in their joy and sorrow, their hopes and fears. In all we do, we are aware of our responsibility for each other and the world. Our life wants to be a service in those places where it is most needed. We want to share in the concerns of all people, particularly the poor.
The Pallottines in South Africa
During the year 1927, after they had been expelled from the Cameroon by the new French colonial authorities, some German Pallottine Priests and Brothers with Father Franz Josef Vogel PSM as their superior came, on invitation of the Apostolic Delegate for South Africa, Archbishop Bernard Gijlswijk OP, to the Eastern Cape to continue the mission work they were used to.
Once they settled down in Queenstown, a bitter argument started between them and the Apostolic Vicar of the Eastern Cape, the Irish Bishop McSherry, who resided in Port Elizabeth and who did not have the intention to give away a part of his territory to those “Germans” he only wanted to tolerate if they were prepared to do mission work amongst Non Europeans only…
Becoming a Pallottine – vocations ministry
We live differently. Rooted in faith, we live in ‘local communities’, free from the common and daily consumer needs and partnership commitments of our society. Our communities are places where a different life becomes possible for us.
In this way, we remain on our search for God, who is infinite love, open to new ideas, open for encounters and open for a radical discipleship.
We are constantly on the move in our vocation and our ministry. Therefore it is good, on arriving home, to be able close your door.
Contact Us
South African Pallottine Community
Merrivale
D 292 “Arden-Farm” 39-40 off Sutton Road
P O Box 234, Merrivale 3291
Tel: 033 3305353 / 033 3307311
E-mail: pallottines@telkomsa.net
George
Step Aside
Erf 215, CJ Langenhoven Street, Blanco, George
PO Box 515, George, 6530
Tel/Fax: +27 44 870 7640
Cell: +27 74 424 4004
Email: info@step-a-side.co.za
Queenstown
10, Grey Street, Queenstown, 5319
P.O. Box 182, Queenstown, 5320
Tel: (045) 839 7325, Tel: (045) 839 7022, Fax: (045) 838 2209
Email: bishopqtn@telkomsa.net, mthemngoma@gmail.com
Step Aside
Outeniqua Pass, Oudtshoorn Road Farm 215, Blanco, George, 6529, South Africa
Quenstown
10 Grey St, Queenstown, 5320, South Africa
Howick
Merrivale, Howick, 3291, South Africa