1975: Beginning of the Community of the Brothers of Saint John in Fribourg, Switzerland
1981: First lay oblatures
1981: The Brothers move to Rimont, France
1981: First apostolic priory founded at Cotignac
1982: Start of the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John
1984: Start of the Apostolic Sisters of Saint John
1986: The Community of the Brothers of Saint John established as an Institute of Diocesan Right (Diocese of Autun)
1993: The Community of the Apostolic Sisters of Saint John established as an Institute of Diocesan Right (Diocese of Autun)
1994: The Community of the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John established as an Institute of Diocesan Right (Diocese of Lyons)
2001: Election of Br Jean-Pierre-Marie as Prior General
2006: Death of Br Marie-Dominique Philippe
2010: Election of Br Thomas as Prior General
2019: Election of Br François-Xavier as Prior General
2022: Erection of the Provinces of Africa, the Americas, France, Europe and the Vice-Province of Asia-Oceania
Delve a little deeper
How are the different religious communities in the Family of Saint John linked?
Even though all three religious communities are united in one family – the Family of Saint John – each community has its own government, history and way of life. They are distinct from one another both juridically and financially.
The brothers and sisters work together on some of their missions: youth camps, parish work and family weeks, among others. Together they run some of the bigger events such as youth festivals and festivals for families. Although they usually have distinct offices, they have the same breviary. Three times a year the Council of the Family of St John brings together the three Priors General and those responsible for studies in each of the congregations.
The Contemplative Sisters today
The 62 sisters that currently make up the community of the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John have made the choice to cooperate with the Church authorities and to put in place the reforms asked of them during the crisis their community went through from 2009-2014.
Since this difficult time, the sisters have engaged in a process of reconstruction (cf. history of the Family of Saint John). To support this important and necessary process, they have for a number of years sought the help of people from outside the community, in particular female and male religious from other congregations.
What is an oblate?
Oblates are laypeople who desire to live their baptismal vocation in the footsteps of Saint John and who feel called to live the same charism of the Brothers and Sisters in the world by committing to secular oblature.
Oblates make a commitment to pray, to listen to the Word of God and to engage in fraternal charity. They offer an apostolic witness in the context of their respective families, parishes, and social and political responsibilities.
How do I become an oblate?
Whether married or single, young or old, anyone who wants to live by the spirituality of the Family of Saint John is able to become an oblate.
Oblates live out and bear witness to their baptism in the manner of St John, whilst living in the world. Before becoming an oblate, a candidate undergoes a period of preparation lasting from one to three years. This allows them to discern their aspirations and to deepen their understanding of the charism of the Family of Saint John. In order to achieve this, the candidate lives according to the rule of the oblates, participates in oblate meetings in their respective priory and follows at least two retreats preached by the Brothers or Sisters. Preparation for oblature is carried out under the supervision of the prior of the candidate’s nearest priory. At the end of the period of preparation, the decision belongs to the prior, following consultation with the members of the priory, as to whether the person can become an oblate. If you would like more information, please contact your nearest priory. If you are interested in becoming an oblate, please contact the prior or prioress of your nearest priory. You can then get more information and discern whether this path is for you.