The rich tradition of innovation, service, and community that characterizes the Salvatorian Family stretches back to its emergence out of the religious turmoil then plaguing Germany in the later half of the nineteenth century.

In the early 1870's, Bismarck led an attack on the Catholic Church that eventually left one third of the parishes in Prussia without a priest. The times clearly called for strength and flexibility from those dedicated to spreading the word of Christ. Such a person was a young priest, Father John Baptist Jordan.

Ordained in 1878, Jordan dreamed of establishing a flexible and innovative association of religious and lay people from all walks of life who were committed to spreading the word of God by any means possible. In 1881, he established the Apostolic Teaching Society with the support of the hierarchy and the blessing of Pope Leo XIII. By 1890, his missionaries were at work in India, China, and Latin America.

In these early years, Jordan was joined by Therese von Wuellenweber, a woman from the upper class of German citizens, who longed to do apostolic work among the people. She proved to be a progressive thinker and motivator in her own right, and with her example, the dream begun by Jordan flourished with more women and men joining in this new venture. Therese took the name of "Mary of the Apostles" when she professed her vows to God in this new community.

Jordan's plan proved to be too radical, however, and his society of priests, sisters, brothers, and laity bound by a common purpose was eventually reshaped by the Holy See into the norm of the traditional religious congregations. In the early 1890's, the priests' and brothers' group was renamed the Society of the Divine Savior. The sisters' congregation became the Sisters of the Divine Savior. Nevertheless, the original spirit of Jordan (who had by then taken the name of "Francis Mary of the Cross") continued to thrive in both branches of the community.

In 1892, Jordan sent Salvatorians to the United States. They established their first permanent institution in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where they took on the job of pastoring a community of men and women that had moved "en masse" from their village in Germany to escape the oppression of Bismarck. The pastor who had joined them had just recently died and Jordan was eager to establish his community in the States.

In 1895, the Salvatorian Sisters also came to the United States, taking on the ministries of nursing and education in several Wisconsin villages.

As their work became more successful and their numbers grew, Salvatorians spread their ministries throughout the world, serving in parishes, schools, hospitals, and in the missions.

Like Father Jordan and Mother Mary, today's Salvatorians seek always to read the signs of the times in selecting their apostolic involvements. Salvatorian ministries are marked by an unusual diversity, each one an expression of an individual's gifts, talents, and capabilities -- each one faithful to that original Salvatorian vision that, through Christ, all things are possible.

In the 1970's, in keeping with the original dream of Father Francis and Mother Mary, and in response to the call of Vatican II for all persons in the Church to respond to their baptismal call to bring Christ to the world, the Lay Salvatorians became an integral part of the religious organization. Through their commitment to the Salvatorian dream, lay men and women (married and single) live out their commitment to ministry, service, and love, in a direct and significant way. The Lay Salvatorians work in secular, ecumenical, and parish settings with the support and encouragement of the religious Salvatorian sisters, brothers, and priests.

As did Father Francis and Mother Mary, all Salvatorians seek to inspire the Catholic world with a sense of responsibility for the welfare of others. In their service, Salvatorians are characterized by generosity, simplicity, and hospitality. They seek to be one with those to whom they minister.

We Salvatorians are called to follow Jesus Christ, the Divine Savior, by living as community within the universal Church for apostolic service.

As with our Founder, Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, we proclaim to all people the salvation which has appeared in Jesus Christ, so that by the lives we live and in our apostolic activities, all may come "to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3), and have life in all its fullness. This mission compels us to share our call to be apostles with people from all walks of life.

We are ready to serve all people everywhere, by all ways and means which the love of Christ inspires. We trust in God's loving providence in discerning and courageously responding to the particular signs of the times in each place and age.

Today, these signs urge us to be a prophetic voice for the renewal of Church and world, by conveying in a contemporary way the values of the Gospel in dialogue with each culture; by animating lay people to live their baptismal commitment for Christian leadership, ministry, and service; by joining the poor in challenging contemporary evils which frustrate a fully human life, particularly social injustice, poverty and violence in all their forms.

We Salvatorians seek to fulfill our mission by being one with those we serve, manifesting to the world the goodness and kindness of God our Savior.