Against the background of the secular traditions of other religious institutes, the history of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate – lasting only 170 years – is relatively brief. The Society as a community of priests and brothers was founded in Rome by Saint Vincent Pallotti in 1835. It is worth knowing that many other religious congregations and communities were also born in the 19th century (eg. the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood).In 1846 the community of priests and brothers which was gathered around Saint Vincent Pallotti received a new home at the church of San Salvatore in Onda.
Among the first collaborators of Pallotti were representatives of different nations (Italy, France and Portugal). This group of collaborators were the first to make their consecration as Pallottines.
The history of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate is an interesting example of how the ideas and intentions of founders take on the form of a social life within in the Church. The dynamic and uncertain history of the Society after the death of the Founder in 1850 can be summarised as follows:
1854 – the Holy See recommends changing the name to “the Pious Society of the Missions”. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Pallottines experience a rapid development and in that time new communities were born in Europe, Africa and the Americas.

1947 – at the request of the Pallottines the original name of “Society of the Catholic Apostolate” was restored.
1968 – the Extraordinary General Chapter deals with the rediscovery of the original idea of the Founder.