Today, the Prado spiritual family consists of several branches, the Sisters, the Priests and the Consecrated Laity, along with the related family which includes the Laypeople, the Deacons and Their Wives, the’IFP (Prado Women's Institute), as well as the Prado Education (in France).
Priests and Consecrated Laity
The Priests of the Prado
The Association of Prado Priests is a «secular institute» under pontifical law. It is therefore not a religious congregation. The Priests of the Prado remain diocesan priests. Some, however, may be incardinated into the Institute to serve the Mission and to carry out formation tasks, particularly those related to seminarians and priests. The Priests of the Prado are primarily present in working-class communities and among the most disadvantaged.
After two years of training, without leaving their ministry, they issue a temporary employment then a perpetual commitment. They may also be eligible for a Pradosian Training Year.
Diocesan priests through and through and consecrated members of the Prado Institute of Priests, the figure of Blessed Antoine Chevrier continues to illuminate our paths every single day through the simplicity of the Nativity, the central reality of the Cross, and the joy of a life that seeks to become ever more Eucharistic within the Church, for the sake of the world.
The Consecrated Laity of the Prado
Deeply committed to Father Chevrier’s charism, the consecrated laypeople of the Prado are full members of the Association of Prado Priests. Together, they form a fraternity with its own unique structure. Though still small in number, they are found primarily in France and India.
We live a joyful and fulfilling apostolate in the heart of the world among the people whom life brings us into contact with—in our neighborhoods, in our professional or retirement lives, in labor unions, and through various other commitments. We lead an active life by sharing in all aspects of ordinary life—"the same life as everyone else"—and a contemplative life through prayer, in which we entrust this life to Christ.
«Upon entering the Prado, we commit ourselves to living a life of poverty and humility, obedience, and chastity in celibacy in service to the poor as part of the Church’s mission.»
To download the presentation on Consecrated Laity of the Prado in French, Click here.
The brochure is also available in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Click on one of the photos below.
The Sisters
Sisters of the Prado: Sharing in the call of Christ received by Father Chevrier to "follow him more closely" and remaining faithful to his missionary vision, we seek to follow Jesus Christ, who proclaims the Good News to the poor. We live in community in working-class neighborhoods or rural areas and share in the simple lives of the people, attentive to those most in need. We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in our world, which is deeply searching for meaning, and that He invites us, together with others, to go out and seek to communicate God’s love. We work as part of the international Prado spiritual family and within the Church to make the Gospel accessible to all. We desire to know Jesus Christ—ever more deeply—to grow closer to Him, and to make Him known with simplicity. Prayer, the study of Jesus Christ in the Gospel, and sharing life with those to whom we are sent: this is our life and our joy!
It all began with Father Chevrier, who, in his work preparing children for First Communion, had a few women ready to assist him. That is how the The Sisters of the Prado. Among them, Marie Boisson (August 15, 1836 – November 20, 1902), who would become the First Superior of the Sisters of Prado.
Today, they are an apostolic society governed by diocesan law. They are present in France and in other countries around the world: Spain, Chile, Madagascar, India, South Korea, and Vietnam.
For more information: www.soeursprado.com
Email: conseil@soeursprado.com
The Prado Women's Institute
The IFP brings together women who wish to live out the spirituality of Antoine Chevrier in the heart of the world, in a life of consecrated laypersonhood, following the evangelical counsels of poverty, obedience, and chastity in celibacy. They live out their vocation within the ordinary circumstances of family, social, professional, or retired life. Believing that prayer and the Gospel can transform the world, they are attentive and strive to ensure that every person is recognized and respected in their dignity. With a presence in 9 countries, the IFP is organizing an international session of deepening and formation on consecrated secularity on July 26 and 27, 2026. This session will be followed by the General Assembly, which will take place from July 29 to August 2, with the theme: «God is faithful, and he will strengthen us to the end» (cf. 1 Cor 1:8–9)
IFP at a Glance:
- Place of founding: Lyon (France).
- A secular institute under diocesan law since March 2, 1992.
- Number of members: 43.
- 9 countries where the company operates: France, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Belgium, South Korea, Lebanon, Egypt, and Colombia.
The IFP's guiding principles:
- The grace of the Prado continually invites and calls us to follow Jesus Christ more closely so that we may work more effectively for the salvation of humanity and the transformation of the world according to the Gospel.
- In response to this call, we devote ourselves entirely to God, living out the evangelical counsels so that we may be witnesses in our daily lives to the Kingdom that Jesus came to proclaim to the poor and that He continues to proclaim to people today.
- In the midst of everyday life, we want to take part in the Church’s mission of evangelization—«To know Jesus Christ and make him known…» Especially to children, so that the Church may come to life with them and through them.
To contact the IFP:
- Email: institutfemininprado@gmail.com or Maïté LENHARD.
- IFP Manager: Pilar QUERALT CAPDEVILA (Pim)
- Address: 13 rue du Père Chevrier – 69007 LYON (FRANCE)
The Laypeople of the Prado
As laypeople, we want to take our baptism seriously and follow Jesus Christ more closely, taking Antoine Chevrier as our guide and model. The Reference Text adopted at the General Assembly in November 2024 provides us with guidelines and points of reference on our journey as disciples and apostles. Teams meet regularly for Gospel study, as well as for times of reflection, formation, retreats, or to celebrate December 10 as a family.
As laypeople, we want to take our baptism seriously and commit ourselves to it more radically by fully responding to the universal call to holiness and the evangelical life as laypeople. In our state of life, we want to resolve to follow Jesus Christ “more closely” by choosing the path of simplicity and closeness to people in precarious situations and those experiencing various forms of poverty. Within the Prado Family and in the school of its founder, Father Antoine Chevrier, we find strong guiding principles and a fraternal setting in which to grow in our journey as disciples and apostles.
Every Christian and every community will discern the path the Lord is asking them to take, but we are all invited to accept this call: to step out of our comfort zones and have the the courage to reach out to all the marginalized communities that need the light of the Gospel.
Evangelii Gaudium, No. 20
Laypeople: A Variety of Commitments
To obtain the text Guidelines for the Prado Laity in France (Approved at the General Assembly on Sunday, November 10, 2024), Contact the Prado by phone at 04 78 72 41 67, or by email or visit us at 13 rue du Père Chevrier, 69007 Lyon. You can also contact a Laïcs team near you and organize a group to place a joint order.
To download the ORDER FORM, Click here.
Deacons and Their Wives
Deacons and their wives walk alongside those on the margins of our society through the Nativity scene, the Cross, and the Tabernacle. Within our local churches, together with other mission partners, we seek to identify and propose missionary initiatives in response to the needs of the poor. We want to help the entire People of God to live out more fully Christ’s preferential love for them.
The 3rd General Assembly of the Fraternity of Deacons and Their Wives of the Prado of France was held in Limonest on November 8, 9, and 10, 2025. It brought together 30 deacons and their wives, who came to experience a meaningful time of fellowship, prayer, and discernment.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, and under the watchful eye of Antoine Chevrier, the participants explored the theme together: «My friends, always be attentive to Christ’s call through the poor», taken from a letter by Alfred Ancel.
In an atmosphere of open dialogue and fellowship, the guidelines and recommendations for the years 2025–2029 were considered, discussed, and then voted on, in the presence of Guy Rougerie, head of Prado de France.
These guidelines call on the Fraternity to follow Christ more closely, in the footsteps of Antoine Chevrier, by resolutely placing the poorest at the heart of the mission, following the example of Antoine Chevrier.
This Assembly also provided an opportunity to renew the Fraternity’s Council: Jean Delarue (Head of the Prado Diaconal Fraternity), Philippe Soulmagnon, Alain, Dominique Frémont, and Raymond Kholer (New Treasurer).
There were several highlights during this meeting:
- a meditation on the icon of Father Chevrier,
- times of prayer and celebration,
- festive, friendly get-togethers
- as well as a time for testimonies from the Prado family.
Contact: Jean Delarue diacres@leprado.org – jd.delarue@mail.com or by phone 06 74 43 75 25.
The Friends of Antoine Chevrier: Then and Now
The Association The Friends of Antoine Chevrier – Then and Now Its mission is to serve as a link between the Prado Spiritual Family and the women and men of our time. Active around the world, it seeks to offer a human, cultural, spiritual, and evangelical approach to the thought and work of Blessed Antoine Chevrier, founder of the Prado.
An Open and Universal Mission
Bringing together the Prado Spiritual Family—believers and non-believers, young and old, men and women—the association aims to be a space for encounter and dialogue open to all. Its goal is to promote the thought and work of Antoine Chevrier through a variety of events that foster a deeper understanding of his message and legacy in today’s world.
Initiatives to Help Spread the Message
With this in mind, the association seeks to engage with a wide variety of cultural, educational, and social contexts: youth centers, cultural venues, schools, universities, informal groups, as well as any organization interested in history and integral human development. It pays particular attention to the development of «the whole person and every person,» placing the poorest members of society at the center of its efforts.
As such, it is authorized to raise funds to support the organization of exhibitions, symposia, conferences, seminars, cultural trips, and any other initiative that contributes to the dissemination of the ideas and works of Father Antoine Chevrier.
His Commitments
- To facilitate access to archives, manuscripts, and documents related to Father Chevrier;
- Work closely with the Commission for the Canonization of Blessed Antoine Chevrier (see Article 2 of the association’s bylaws, under the 1901 Law).
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