The charism of the Spiritans, also known as the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, is focused on evangelization, missionary service, and service to the poor and marginalized. Inspired by Ven. Claude Poullart des Places and later developed under Fr. Francis Libermann, Spiritans seek to proclaim the Gospel in areas where the Church is young or in need, with particular attention to education, parish missions, formation of clergy, and social justice initiatives. Their spirituality emphasizes faith, courage, and adaptability, living in community, and working alongside local people to build vibrant, culturally sensitive faith communities.

The Spiritans were founded in 1703 in France by Claude Poullart des Places, with the original mission of caring for poor seminarians and promoting missionary work. Later, in 1848, the work of Fr. Francis Libermann consolidated the missionary thrust of the congregation, leading to the formal establishment of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. The Spiritans expanded globally, with a strong presence in Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on parish ministry, schools, social projects, and the formation of local clergy. The congregation is known for its commitment to adaptation to local cultures, justice, and education as essential elements of evangelization.

Spiritans – Generalate / International Vocation Office (Rome, Italy) Email: vocations@spiritans.org Address: Via della Camilluccia 591, 00135 Rome, Italy spiritans.org/contact Spiritans – Tanzania Dar es Salaam Mission House: Email: spiritans.tz@gmail.com