A New Branch on the Tree of the Order of Preachers
The Community of the Lamb was founded in France by Little Sister Marie, together with Brother Jean-Claude, O.F.M., who served as its co-founder. The Community is composed of two Public Associations of the Faithful in itinere, that is, associations ” “on the path toward becoming Institutes of Consecrated Life”: the Little Sisters of the Lamb, founded in 1981, and the Little Brothers of the Lamb, founded in 1990.
Consequently, both the Little Sisters and the Little Brothers are subject in Rome to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (DICLSAL), which accompanies and supports their ecclesial journey. Their respective canonical seats are located in Vienna, Austria.
A New Branch on the Tree of the Order of Preachers
On 17 December 1981, Bishop Michel Kuehn of Chartres, France, officially recognized the Community’s foundation, which at that time consisted solely of the Little Sisters. On 6 February 1983, the Community was received into the Diocese of Perpignan by Archbishop Jean Chabbert, then Archbishop-bishop of Perpignan, France.
On 16 July 1983, the Community of the Lamb was recognized by Father Vincent de Couesnongle, O.P., then Master of the Order of Preachers, as “a new branch on the Tree of the Order of Preachers.”
On 8 August 1990, the Little Brothers of the Lamb were in turn recognized officially by Archbishop Jean Chabbert.
In 1996, the canonical seats of both the Little Sisters and the Little Brothers were transferred from the Diocese of Perpignan to the Archdiocese of Vienna, Austria, following the exchange of the requisite dimissorial letters. At that time, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, O.P., became the bishop responsible for the Community. Today, it is his successor, Archbishop Josef Grünwidl, who serves as its Ordinary.
Today the Community is made up of one hundred and seventy-five little sisters and around forty little brothers coming from various countries. The little brothers and little sisters share a common purpose in life and may gather together for liturgical prayer. However, their daily life remains separate.
When Pope Francis was Elected
In 1994, Bishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio invited the little brothers and sisters to found small fraternities in Buenos Aires. And so many years later, we are still counted among the sheep of his spiritual flock.. He truly knows each of them by their name, for two days after his election he called all of the little brothers and sisters of the Lamb who were in Rome, with Cardinal Christoph Schönborn to Santa Marta. It is truly a joy to share with you the fatherly encouragement and affection that he poured out on us that day: “Thank you for what you do in the Church. John Paul II and Benedict XVI have emphasized: more than teachers, what are needed are witnesses. You have a great capacity to be witnesses. It’s pure grace. Hold on to that. The testimony of your life, through prayer, the liturgy, begging for your daily bread, hitch-hiking; it’s a testimony of poverty and joy. That’s why people love you, and I want to thank you very much for this.” (Pope Francis – March 15th, 2013) The exchange that ensued is engraved on our hearts of “children of the Church.” It resounds today as an evermore urgent call to live the Gospel… “the joy of the Gospel!” May his blessing be upon each and every one of you.
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¹ cf. Mt 11:25