| Missionaryness and the spreading of the Institute |
| The Institute has taken root in various countries in the world. In some zones there are numerous groups, and in others missionaries live in diaspora, present on their own or in very small numbers in their respective surroundings and daily situations in order to be the salt, light and leaven of truth and charity wherever they may be. Where even one missionary may be living, present there is the Institute. It has spread throughout many dioceses in Italy, where it saw the light of day, and in France. There are also members in Belgium, Germany and Poland.
The Institute is aware that its missionary commitment consists of working together with the Church in other countries, and, with formation and fraternity, supporting those laywomen in such countries who may be called to consecrated secularity, according to this charism, in their daily lives. In 1962 the Institute began to spread overseas, and we are now present in Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Colombia), Asia (Taiwan and Vietnam), and Africa (Madagascar and Cameroun). This constitutes the Institute's direct contribution of service to the various local churches, and represents a concrete way to acknowledge the action of the Spirit who is at work wherever and however. He so wishes, and who brings forth vocations in any country, people and ethnic group. Some missionaries have served and continue to serve in distant countries with international secular volunteer associations along side other laypersons who have made the same choice. They stand forth as direct witness of universal fraternity and readiness to share their time, energies, and money with the peoples most in need. They are a sign of the love of the universal Church, and of the awareness of unity in the diversity of culture, language and ethnic background.
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