Today, the the Prado’s spiritual family consists of several branches, the Sisters, the Priests and the Consecrated laity, joined by the related family which includes the Lay people, the Deacons and their wives, the’IFP (Prado Women’s Institute), as well as the Prado Education (in France).
Priests and consecrated laypeople
The Priests of the Prado
The Prado Priests« Association 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 relating to seminarians and priests. The Priests of the Prado are mainly present in working-class communities and amongst the most disadvantaged.
After two years’ training, without leaving their ministry, they deliver a fixed-term contract then a perpetual commitment. They may also be eligible for a A year of training at Pradosienne.
Diocesan priests through and through and consecrated members of the Prado Priests’ Institute, the figure of Blessed Antoine Chevrier continues to illuminate our paths on a daily basis through the simplicity of the Nativity scene, 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 the charism of Father Chevrier, the consecrated laity of the Prado are full members of the Association of Prado Priests. Together, they form a Fraternity, with its own distinctive structure. Although still small in number, they are mainly found in France and India.
We lead a joyful and fulfilling apostolate at the heart of the world amongst the people whom life brings us into contact with, whether in our neighbourhoods, our working lives or our retirement, trade unions or various other commitments. We lead an active life by sharing in all aspects of everyday 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 practising poverty and humility, obedience and chastity in celibacy in the service of the poor as part of the Church’s mission.»
To download the presentation on Consecrated Laity of the Prado in French, click here.
The leaflet 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 wish to follow Jesus Christ, who proclaims the Good News to the poor. We live in community in working-class neighbourhoods or rural areas and share in the simple lives of the people, paying particular attention 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 ensure that the Gospel is accessible to all. We long to know Jesus Christ – ever more deeply – to grow closer to Him and to make Him known with simplicity. Prayer, studying Jesus Christ in the Gospel and sharing our lives 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 their First Communion, had a few women ready to assist him. And so the The Prado Sisters. Among them, Marie Boisson (15 August 1836 – 20 November 1902), who would go on to become the First Superior of the Sisters of the 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 further 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 at the heart of the world, in a life of consecrated laity, following the Gospel 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 seek to ensure that every person is recognised and treated with dignity. With a presence in nine countries, the IFP is organising an international session of deepening and formation on consecrated secularity on 26 and 27 July 2026. This session will be followed by the General Assembly, which will take place from 29 July to 2 August, with the theme: «God is faithful and will strengthen us to the end» (cf. 1 Cor 1:8–9)
The IFP at a glance:
- Place of foundation: Lyon (France).
- A secular institute governed by diocesan law since 2 March 1992.
- Number of members: 43.
- 9 countries where the company operates: France, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Belgium, South Korea, Lebanon, Egypt and Colombia.
The principles of the IFP:
- The grace of the Prado constantly invites and calls us to follow Jesus Christ more closely, so that we may work more effectively for the salvation of humankind and the transformation of the world in accordance with the Gospel.
- In response to this call, we devote ourselves entirely to God, living out the evangelical counsels so that we may bear witness, in our daily lives, to the Kingdom that Jesus came to proclaim to the poor and which He continues to proclaim to people today.
- In the midst of everyday life, we wish to play our part in the Church’s mission of evangelisation – «To know Jesus Christ and to make him known…». Particularly 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 Lay People of the Prado
As lay people, we wish to take our baptism seriously and follow Jesus Christ more closely, taking Antoine Chevrier as our guide and role 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. Groups meet regularly for Gospel study, as well as for times of reflection, formation, retreats or to celebrate 10 December as a family.
As lay people, we wish to take our baptism seriously and commit ourselves to it more wholeheartedly by responding fully to the universal call to holiness and to the evangelical life as lay people. In our own state of life, we wish to resolve to follow Jesus Christ “more closely” by choosing the path of simplicity and closeness to those in precarious circumstances and in various forms of poverty. Within the Prado Family and following the example of its founder, Father Antoine Chevrier, we find strong guiding principles and a fraternal environment 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 follow, but we are all called to accept this call: to step out of our comfort zones and have the the courage to reach out to all those on the margins who need the light of the Gospel.
Evangelii Gaudium, no. 20
Lay people: a variety of ways of getting involved
To obtain the text Guidelines for the Prado Laity in France (Approved at the General Assembly on Sunday 10 November 2024), Please contact the Prado by telephone on 04 78 72 41 67, or by email or visit 13 Rue du Père Chevrier, 69007 Lyon. You can also get in touch with a Laïcs group near you and organise yourselves as 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 workers, we seek to identify and propose missionary initiatives in response to the needs of the poor. We wish to help the whole People of God to experience more fully Christ’s preferential love for them.
The 3rd General Assembly of the Fraternity of Deacons and their Wives of the Prado in France took place in Limonest on 8, 9 and 10 November 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 in greater depth together: «My friends, always be attentive to Christ’s call in 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, in the footsteps of Antoine Chevrier.
This Assembly also provided an opportunity to re-elect 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 session of testimonies from the Prado family.
Contact: Jean Delarue diacres@leprado.org – jd.delarue@gmail.com or by telephone 06 74 43 75 25.
The Friends of Antoine Chevrier: Then and Now
The association The Friends of Antoine Chevrier – Then and Now Its role is to act as a link between the The Prado Spiritual Family and the women and men of our time. Active throughout the world, it aims 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 aim is to promote the thought and work of Antoine Chevrier through a variety of events designed to foster a better understanding of his message and legacy in today’s world.
Initiatives to help spread the message
With this in mind, the association wishes to engage with a wide variety of cultural, educational and social contexts: youth centres, cultural venues, schools, universities, informal groups, as well as any organisation with an interest 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 centre of its work.
As such, it is authorised to raise funds to support the organisation of exhibitions, symposia, conferences, seminars and cultural trips, as well as any initiative that contributes to the dissemination of the ideas and work of Father Antoine Chevrier.
His commitments
- To facilitate access to archives, manuscripts and documents relating to Father Chevrier;
- To work closely with the Commission for the Canonisation of Blessed Antoine Chevrier (see Article 2 of the association’s articles of association, under the 1901 Act).
News, projects, membership… Find out more.
