Our history

Following their arrival in Canada in 1865, it was in 1868 that the Brothers of Charity first came to the United States to Detroit, MI and then in 1874 to Boston (West Newbury), MA. Boston will operate till 1964.

In 1961 the Brothers in the USA were given total responsibility over their destiny—to fully implant the Charism of Father Triest in the American culture of the USA. They named their District Our Lady of Charity. The young District’s existence would be compromised by a serious blow but will survive. The novitiate and house of studies had been established in 1959 in Philadelphia. It will be in 1965 that the novitiate will move for an entity of its own on the premises of Gwynedd Valley.

Besides the orphanage of Boston, a teaching apostolate started at Bishop McDevitt High School would formalize at Cardinal O’Hara High School and a teaching community been established there. In 1970, the professed Brothers, novices and postulants numbered 32. The numbers maintained till 1985, also date of last entrance of a postulant. Afterwards, alike other congregations, we went through the religious crisis and several dispensations.

The other apostolates of OLOC were as follow. St. Vincent Mission - an apostolate to the poor in rural eastern Kentucky (still existing) was created in 1968, Gwynedd House child care facility in 1970, Laverock Triest Hall child care facility in 1972, Philadelphia Emeric Hall teaching community in 1973, Philadelphia Fintan Hall child care facility in 1975.

From the outset, Brothers from Canada, Belgium, England and Ireland have supported the implementation of Father Triests’s vision here on American soil. More than 75 Brothers served in Detroit and Boston. Our Philadelphia history nears fifty years and includes Brothers from Holland, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua and Peru who joined our community life and work.

The Brothers of Charity in the USA have worked with immigrants, homeless men women & families, drug and alcohol addicted families and youth in crisis, the frail elderly and the materially poor.

Today, Brothers of OLOC in Philadelphia live with and serve those with mental retardation in a shared living situation (similar to that of Jean Vanier’s L’Arche communities) support and assist in our Provincialate and International House of Formation in Washington DC. A brother is still involved part time in social work at St Francis Nursing Hall, Philadelphia.

Over the years, members of OLOC have also served as missionaries in South Africa, the Philippines and Brasil.

The three last Regional Superiors:

Brother Matthew Burns (1969-1976)

Brother Michael Lonsway (1976-1983; 1994-2006)

Brother John FitzGerald (1983-1994) (2006-   )