Caritas Socialis

Caritas Socialis (CS) is a Catholic society of apostolic life for women, founded in Vienna in 1919 by Hildegard Burjan. It is a pontifical-right society whose members, known as the Caritas Socialis Sisters, commit themselves to social charity, youth protection, family assistance, and parish work. The community was first conceived in 1913 when Burjan expressed to Cardinal Friedrich Gustav Piffl, Archbishop of Vienna, her intention to establish a religious family dedicated to charitable works; the outbreak of World War I delayed the plan. In 1918 she succeeded in creating the Caritas Socialis union, and on 4 October 1919 ten members officially gave birth to the society. Although married, Burjan was appointed superior for life. The institute was canonically erected as a society of common life without vows on 19 June 1936 and received the decree of praise on 4 October 1963. The mother house is in Vienna. As of 31 December 2005, the society counted thirteen houses and one hundred three sisters. It is present in Europe (Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy) and in Brazil. The official website, cs-schwestern.at, publishes news of the community, including commemorations of Hildegard Burjan, jubilees of sisters, and activities in Brazil such as the 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Guarapuava in 2026.

Caritas Socialis was founded by Hildegard Burjan (1883–1933), an Austrian social politician and Catholic activist. In 1913, Burjan expressed to Cardinal Friedrich Gustav Piffl, Archbishop of Vienna, her intention to establish a religious family dedicated to charitable works, but the outbreak of World War I prevented it. In 1918, she finally succeeded in creating the Caritas Socialis union, and on 4 October 1919, ten members of the society officially gave birth to the group. Although Burjan was married, she was named superior of the society for life. The institute was canonically erected as a society of common life without vows on 19 June 1936 and obtained the decree of praise on 4 October 1963. The sisters dedicate themselves to works for the protection of youth, assistance to families, and parish works. They are present in Europe (Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy) and in America (Brazil). The mother house is in Vienna. As of 31 December 2005, the society counted thirteen houses and one hundred three sisters. The official website continues to report on the community's activities, including commemorations of Hildegard Burjan, jubilees of sisters, and missions in Brazil such as the 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Guarapuava in 2026.

• 2005

  As of 31 December, the society counts thirteen houses and one hundred three sisters.

• 1963

  The society obtains the decree of praise on 4 October.

• 1936

  The institute is canonically erected as a society of common life without vows on 19 June.

• 1919

  On 4 October, ten members officially give birth to the society.

• 1918

  Hildegard Burjan succeeds in creating the Caritas Socialis union.

• 1913

  Hildegard Burjan expresses to Cardinal Friedrich Gustav Piffl her intention to establish a religious family dedicated to charitable works.

Catholic society of apostolic life dedicated to social charity and pastoral care.

1. 1Caritas Socialis / CS Schwesterngemeinschaftcs-schwestern.at
2. 2Caritas Socialis - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Sœurs de la charité sociale - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org