Deepening of roots at home to assure the future mission
During the leadership of Libermann from 1842 to 1852, 47 Spiritans were sent to Africa: of these, 20 died, 15 returned to France and 12 continued to work in Africa. These statistics made the Congregation look to its policies of recruitment, formation, and whatever was necessary to assure sufficient personnel who could survive in a hostile climate. It was, above all, the climate and recurring fever that made the whole undertaking so fragile and unpredictable; seven out of the first thirteen missions had to be closed for lack of personnel.
Fr. Schwindenhammer, the successor of Libermann, slowed down the sending of missionaries to Africa in order to consolidate the Congregation in France and implant it in other parts of Europe. Those already in Africa cried out for more helpers but not many were forthcoming. Mgr. Kobès made many unsuccessful demands for more personnel, and protested against the diversification of works being undertaken in France. From 1860 onwards, the Congregation spread into other parts of Europe and started again to send men to Africa.
France
For the first ten years as his period as Superior General,
Fr. Schwindenhammer was consolidating the Congregation in France. He started social and educational works, orphanages and trade schools.
French overseas territories
Starting in 1851, the Spiritans opened colleges, and charitable works, and took on the responsibility for parishes in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana and Reunion.
Ireland
Libermann was very keen to make a foundation in Ireland, but when he learnt that a Mr. Hand had just started the missionary seminary of All Hallows in Dublin, he shelved the idea. But he did receive the first Irish brother in 1849.
In 1859, the Spiritans opened a school at Blanchardstown which was transferred to Blackrock the following year. A second school/seminary was started at Rockwell in 1864.
Germany
Libermann himself travelled in the Rhineland and recruited seven German aspirants. In 1864, the Congregation bought the Abbey of Marienstatt and, close by, an old Franciscan convent at Marienthal. Spiritans opened a school/seminary, a novitiate, and schools for young people with learning difficulties. They took over the pastoral care of two sanctuaries and twenty surrounding villages. After the war of 1870, Bismark expelled the Spiritans from Germany.
Australia
A group of missionaries of the Holy Heart of Mary went to the south-west of the country in 1845, but as a result of disagreements with the Bishop, they withdrew in 1848. Another attempted foundation came with the opening of a school in 1888 at Ballarat, but this again was abandoned three years later.
Trinidad
A college was opened in Trinidad in 1863
Haiti
In 1865, the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince asked the Spiritans to open the college of Saint Martial.
