It was founded by the Servant of God Maria Teresa Ledó-chowska (v.) in 1894 and was first approved by the Holy See provisionally (1901) and then definitively on March 7, 1910. On December 18, 1920, the Constitutions were modified to bring them into conformity with the Code of Canon Law, and again changed on April 29, 1948. It has a special organization because its core is formed by the religious congregation of the Sisters of St. Peter Claver, who take the usual three vows. They do not go on missions themselves but collect funds and oversee the printing of materials for the missions of the Dark Continent. It publishes the journal *Eco dell'Africa* in various languages.
BIBL.: M. and G. Magnocavallo, *Vita della fedel serva di Dio Maria Teresa Ledó-chowska*, Rome 1940; G. Papasogli, *M. T. Ledó-chowska*, ibid. 1950. Saverio Paventi