They have San Antonio Maria Claret as inspirational and spiritual father, and together with the institutions founded by him, constitute the Claretian family.
It was born in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, on July 8, 1983 during his first General Assembly.
It was built as an international association of the faithful of private law by the Pontifical Council for the Laity on April 20, 1988.
The decree of erection was signed by the President of the Congregation, Cardinal Bishop Eduardo Pironio.
Currently there are regions of Argentina, Uruguay, Andalusia (southern Spain), Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, Northern Spain and Venezuela, although there are also communities in Angola, Canada, Congo, England, United States, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Poland, and Russia.