Saint Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome on April 21, 1795, and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rome on May 16, 1818. He believed that the clergy, religious and laity, had a responsibility to proclaim the Good News. As a priest, he reformed clubs and religious organizations, organized evening trade school classes, and served as spiritual director of several Roman colleges. He served as Pastor of the Holy Spirit and the Neapolitan National Church, as well as promoting the apostolate of the press.
On April 4,1835, he founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate and initiated, through subsequent years, the Society of the Catholic Apostolate and the congregation of Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. He entrusted the members the task of instructing, animating, guiding, and supporting the unity of the Union of Catholic Apostolate. St. Paul’s saying, “the charity of Christ urges us on” (2 Cor. 5:14) became the motto of the Pallottines. Vincent Pallotti died on January 22,1850, at the Generalate of his community. Pope Pius XII proclaimed Pallotti “Blessed” on January 22,1950, and on January 20,1963, Blessed John XXIII proclaimed him a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church.