Pope Pius IX, by a brief of 18 July 1856, raised it to the rank of a canonical institution, gave it a Cardinal protector, and requested all bishops to introduce it in their dioceses.

Pope Leo XIII, in the encyclical letter Sancta Dei civitas (3 December 1890), blessed it and recommended it again to the bishops.

Rioting sparked by false rumors of the killing of babies led to the death of a French consul and provoked a diplomatic crisis.

On 1 January 1893, the work was concentrated into one central agency and confided to the Holy Ghost Fathers, with headquarters in Pittsburgh.

[6] In the United States, membership is largely made up of students in Catholic elementary schools and religious education programs, and those homeschooled.

[3] Through the financial contributions of children it carries out educational, medical and welfare projects in the poorest areas of the world.