Our History
The society found its way to America at an early date, and on the 16th of January, 1881, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers canonically erected in St. Augustine’s Church (now known as St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Pittsburgh, PA), was raised to the rank of an Archconfraternity with the right of affiliating other Confraternities wherever the Ordinary approved.
Since then over 3,400 Confraternities have been affiliated with the Pittsburgh Archconfraternity directed by the Capuchin Friars.
Our MissionWe serve as a pious association intended for mothers, which has for its special object the promotion of the good Christian and Catholic education of their children. The members join their hearts in love with the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Sorrows, and unite under her patronage in mutual prayer and solicitude for the welfare of their children and families.
Document of Establishment
The 1886 Document of Establishment
This historic document, issued in 1886 under Pope Leo XIII, formally establishes the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers in Pittsburgh and defines the authority entrusted to it for the growth and extension of the Confraternity.
We are making the original document and its translations available here particularly because questions have occasionally arisen concerning the authority of the Archconfraternity in Pittsburgh to support, encourage, affiliate, and establish Confraternities of Christian Mothers beyond the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The document itself provides the historical and canonical foundation for this mission and for the jurisdiction exercised by the Director General of the Archconfraternity in carrying it forward.
Rather than simply describing or asserting that authority, we believe it is helpful to make the foundational document itself readily available so that clergy, members, and others who may have questions can consult the source directly.
The original document is reproduced here together with translations in several languages for ease of reference. It remains an important witness not only to the history of the Archconfraternity, but also to the ecclesiastical foundation of its continuing mission to foster and extend the Confraternity of Christian Mothers wherever it may serve the spiritual good of Catholic mothers and their families.
Looking for more?
Learn more about the Confraternity of Christian Mothers in this interview with our National Father Director, Fr. Joseph Tuscan (O.F.M. Cap.) and our Lady National President, Colleen McDanald at EWTN on At Home With Jim & Joy. Here, Fr. Joseph and Colleen McDanald share the history, membership, and mission of the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers and also explore a mother's role in the Church.