Founded at Salzburg, Austria in 1894 by Countess M. Theresia Ledóchowska to aid the African missions and to foster the work of freeing slaves. It includes members of a female religious institute who are entirely engaged in the work of the African missions (these lead a community life in civilized countries, and have their headquarters at Rome); laymen and women who devote themselves as far as their state in life permits, to the work of the sodality, especially by managing the succursals; and common helpers of either sex who foster the work by contributions and other means. There are also sodalities of this name in missions.