Congregation of the Holy Spirit

What Congregation of the Holy Spirit does

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) is a Catholic religious congregation founded in France in 1703 by Claude Poullart des Places and merged in 1848 with the Congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary founded by Francis Libermann. The U.S. Province, established in 1872, is headquartered in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 53-0259602). The congregation operates in 60+ countries through a global network of 2,500+ priests, brothers, and lay members, with nearly 100 Spiritans serving in more than 20 U.S. parishes across Arkansas, California, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia. Core programmatic offerings include parish ministries, educational institutions (notably Duquesne University, founded 1878, serving 10,000+ students, and Holy Ghost Preparatory School, founded 1897), international missions spanning Africa, Latin America, and Asia, the Spiritan Center for retreats, and the Lay Spiritan Associates program.

The underlying operational infrastructure is canonical and relational rather than technological: Spiritan services are delivered through physically present clergy, brothers, and lay members in parishes, schools, and mission sites. The congregation's digital presence runs on the eCatholic CMS platform, with donor engagement via Constant Contact email, and active social channels on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter. Healthcare delivery is exemplified by the Flying Medical Service in Tanzania, which treated 17,554 patients and flew 84 emergency flights in a recent year. The Center for Spiritan Studies, established at Duquesne University in 2005, anchors scholarly research on the congregation's heritage.

The revenue model is donation-driven: the Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA), based in Houston, Texas, coordinates fundraising through annual appeals, a Day of Giving, Required Minimum Distribution gifts, Corporate Match programs, and Planned Giving. There is no commercial pricing structure; the organization has no investor backing, no funding rounds, and no equity ownership. Governance rests with elected leadership including the Superior General (Fr. Alain Mayama, based in Rome) and the U.S. Provincial (Fr. Donald McEachin), supported by a Provincial Council. The U.S. Province was reunified in 2009 after 45 years of division, and flagship educational ministries have transitioned to lay administration (Duquesne University in 2016, Holy Ghost Prep in 2015) as the congregation adapts to a smaller ordained member base.

Name

Congregation of the Holy Spirit

Legal name

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit Province of the United States

Website

https://spiritans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1703

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) is a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1703, operating in 60+ countries through 2,500+ priests, brothers, and lay members. The U.S. Province delivers parish ministries, education via Duquesne University, and international humanitarian missions, funded primarily through charitable donations via SOMA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Faith-Based & Nonprofit Hospital Systems (HLAFAAAE)

Keywords

• Catholic religious congregation
• Parish ministry services
• Missionary education programs
• International mission work
• Refugee and healthcare ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethel Park, PA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The congregation relies on donations from supporters to fund their ministries throughout the world. The Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) leads fundraising efforts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) is a Catholic religious congregation that provides pastoral ministry through parish networks across the United States, operates educational institutions including Duquesne University and Holy Ghost Preparatory School, and runs international missionary programs in more than 60 countries spanning Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Its ministries include sacramental services, retreat programs, refugee services, healthcare delivery (such as the Flying Medical Service in Tanzania), and lay associate formation, all funded primarily through charitable donations.

Product overview

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) is a Catholic religious congregation founded in France in 1703, offering a portfolio of ministry programs rather than a commercial product. The core offerings include Parish Ministries serving communities across the United States, Education Programs through affiliated institutions (notably Duquesne University and Holy Ghost Preparatory School), and International Ministries spanning Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Supporting programs include the Spiritan Center for retreats, the Lay Spiritan Associates Program for lay participation, the Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) for fundraising, and Justice and Peace initiatives including racial justice advocacy. These programs are interconnected through the Spiritan charism of evangelizing the poor and marginalized.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parish Ministries A network of Spiritan parishes across the United States (Arkansas, California, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia) providing pastoral services, sacraments, community outreach, and social justice advocacy to underserved populations.
• Duquesne University A Catholic university founded by Spiritans in 1878 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serving over 10,000 students across ten schools of study with commitment to excellence in liberal and professional education, moral and spiritual values, and ecumenical openness. Distributes $30 million in financial aid annually.
• Holy Ghost Preparatory School A private Catholic preparatory school for young men founded by Spiritans in 1897 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, emphasizing academic excellence and service to the poor in the Spiritan tradition.
• International Ministries Global missionary operations spanning Africa (Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana), Latin America (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Puerto Rico), and Asia (Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam), providing pastoral services, education, healthcare, and refugee ministry.
• Spiritan Center A retreat ministry providing spiritual renewal and formation experiences based at the Spiritan Provincialate in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
• Lay Spiritan Associates Program A lay ministry program enabling Catholic lay men and women to participate in Spiritan spirituality, community, and mission through structured formation programs, with expressions including Spiritan Friends (group-based association) and Lay Spiritans (formal covenant commitment).
• Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) The fundraising arm of the Congregation based in Houston, Texas, supporting charitable works in health, education, social services, and religious mission in the United States and worldwide through donor engagement and volunteer coordination.
• Evangelization, Justice, and Peace Initiatives Advocacy and action programs addressing racial justice, environmental justice (Care of Creation/Laudato Si'), and participation in networks including Africa Faith and Justice Network, Conference of Major Superiors of Men JPIC Committee, Vivat International, and USCMA Mission Committee.
• Spiritan Refugee Service Tanzania Ministry to refugees in Tanzania (from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda) including sacramental ministry, trauma recovery, spiritual healing, and support services, as well as refugee resettlement assistance in the United States.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,554 patients treated by Flying Medical Service in Tanzania in one year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered significant, flagship, core and supporting.

• St. Katharine DrexelsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Katharine Drexel's vision and financial support enabled the establishment of Holy Ghost Preparatory School in 1897 and supported ministry to the African-American community in the U.S. Her contribution was instrumental in the early formation of Spiritan educational works in America.
• Duquesne UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Spiritans in 1878, Duquesne University is the flagship ministry of the Congregation. The Center for Spiritan Studies was established at Duquesne in 2005 as a collaborative venture to advance research on Spiritan history and spirituality.
• Holy Ghost Preparatory SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Spiritans in 1897 with help from St. Katherine Drexel, Holy Ghost Preparatory School has transitioned to lay administration but maintains the Spiritan tradition and mission.
• Center for Spiritan StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA collaborative venture between the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and Duquesne University founded in 2005 to advance research on Spiritan history and spirituality, disseminate findings throughout the Congregation, University, and public.
• Loyola School of Theology (Ateneo de Manila)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Jesuit-run Loyola School of Theology on the Ateneo de Manila University campus is utilized by Spiritans in the Philippines for theological education of their formation students.
• Maryhill School of TheologysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMaryhill School of Theology, run by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, provides theological education for Spiritan formation students in the Philippines.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Society of Jesus (Jesuits): The largest Catholic religious order of priests and brothers, similarly focused on education (dozens of universities), parish ministry, and international missions. Directly comparable as a missionary congregation with global educational assets.
• Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans): Major Catholic religious order with parallel missionary, educational, and parish ministry operations across multiple continents. Comparable as a global mendicant congregation with vow structure and worldwide footprint.
• Salesians of Don Bosco: Catholic religious congregation focused on youth education and serving the poor globally. Closely comparable in running schools, formation programs, and international ministries aimed at disadvantaged populations.
• Dominican Order (Order of Preachers): Catholic religious order of priests and brothers with parallel missions in preaching, education, and international parishes. Closely comparable in missionary charism, intellectual tradition, and global footprint.
• Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer): Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers dedicated to parish missions and evangelization of the poor, including in Africa and Latin America. Comparable in missionary outreach to marginalized communities.
• Marist Fathers and Brothers (Society of Mary): Catholic religious congregation with parallel international education and parish ministry footprint, including significant presence in the Pacific and Africa. Comparable in missionary outreach and educational ministry.
• Maryknoll Missioners (Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America): U.S.-founded Catholic missionary society focused on overseas missions, similar Spiritan model of sending priests, brothers, and lay missioners abroad. Directly comparable as a foreign-mission-focused religious congregation.
• Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines): Catholic religious congregation of priests and brothers with parallel focus on parish ministry, missions, and international evangelization. Comparable as a missionary society with global footprint and educational apostolates.

Others

• Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM): U.S. canonical organization of leaders of men's religious institutes, of which the Spiritans are a member. Comparable as the institutional ecosystem in which the Congregation operates and advocates for its policy priorities.

Broad incumbents

• Benedictine Order: One of the oldest Western religious orders, with parallel commitments to community life, education, and missions. Comparable in operating schools and parishes, though more monastic in orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/US_Spiritans
• Facebookfacebook.com/spiritans
• Instagraminstagram.com/us_spiritans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/congregation-of-the-holy-spirit

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Congregation of the Holy Spirit