History of Our Community

The Beginning

In 1973, two married couples in France who were Protestant and part of the Charismatic Renewal began a communal life together. Seeking to follow the example of the first Christian communities, they were inspired by friends like Lanza del Vasto, the first Western disciple of Mahatma Gandi, and Venerable Marthe Robin. Quickly, others joined them. A transformative encounter with the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, as well as a deeper understanding of apostolic succession and the papacy, eventually led them to enter the Catholic Church.

The community started to grow. Soon, men and women joined who wanted to consecrate themselves totally to God and the Church. In 1978, the first sisters and brothers were clothed in religious habit and took the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Priestly and diaconal ordinations followed. The Community thus quickly included all states of life in one spiritual family. In the early years, the Community was primarily devoted to contemplative prayer. Hospitality held an important place, too. But its houses also frequently became a refuge for the poor and for those wounded by life.

Apostolic outreach and apostolates of mercy thus came into being. A central moment in this new missionary movement to go out into the world was when the Community took on a hospital in Kabinda, Congo, in 1981. The first apostolates followed, such as the distribution of audio tapes, a magazine, a radio station, as well as a publishing house, youth gatherings, pilgrimages, retreats, and schools of life. As the community grew in the 1980s and 90s, further foundations were established in Europe as well as in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The Community became truly global, being present on all the continents.

While the original name was Community of the Lion of Judah and the Slain Lamb, it was replaced in 1991 by Community of the Beatitudes.

A Time of Crisis and Maturing

From the very beginning, the Community was accompanied and nurtured by the Church. Over time, however, it also became clear that the Community’s charism, with its communion of states of life, requires a clearer structure. A restructuring process lasting several years helped it to understand more deeply the distinct and uniquely important roles of the laity, priests, and consecrated members.

At the same time, cases of abuse by members of the Community, including its founder, came to light. The Community has been working to address and come to terms with these cases.

An Ecclesial Family

This process of maturing culminated when the Community was erected as an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life in 2020. This new institutional stage profoundly changed the governance of the Community, and has enabled the particularities of each state of life to be honored while being united in one family.

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary in 2023, a delegation of the Community went to Rome and had the joy of meeting Pope Francis. In his address recounting the many blessings God has granted to the Community and those that have participated in its apostolates, the late Pope encouraged us “to go forward and persevere in your mission with zeal and without fear, to bear witness to faith with joy and hope, and always to remain open and obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.“

Arriving in Denver

After the Community attended the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver, several members felt called to serve in the United States. Fernand Sanchez, General Moderator of the Community, met Cardinal James Francis Stafford at the 1998 Congress of Ecclesial Movements in Rome. He shared the Community’s hopes with the former Archbishop of Denver. Cardinal Stafford then called Archbishop Charles Chaput, and a door opened.

On August 22, 1998 we founded our Denver house, and have been gratefully serving here since under Archbishops Chaput, Samuel Aquila, and now James Golka.