Our History

Pax Christi was officially founded on 13 March 1945. At that time, Southern France was already liberated from the grasp of the Nazis. Pierre Marie Théas, bishop of Montauban in Southern France gave Marthe Dortel Claudot his full support to start a Christian movement for reconciliation and peace. On the evening of March 13th this movement was baptized as Pax Christi in a flat in Montauban.

Pierre Marie Théas

Pierre Marie Théas, Bishop of Montauban (1940-1947), opposed the Vichy regime and Nazi collaboration, raising awareness against Jewish deportation. Arrested by the Gestapo, he was liberated after the Normandy landings. Upon his return to Montauban in 1944, he advocated for reconstruction and reconciliation.

Marthe Dortel-Claudot

Marthe Dortel-Claudot, a lecturer from Alsace-Lorraine, opposed the Vichy regime and aided Jews during World War II. She joined the Resistance in 1942. Her deep spirituality, revealed posthumously, led her to start a small praying group for German priests and people at the end of 1944.

Marthe Dortel-Claudot

Marthe Dortel-Claudot, a lecturer from Alsace-Lorraine, opposed the Vichy regime and aided Jews during World War II. She joined the Resistance in 1942. Her deep spirituality, revealed posthumously, led her to start a small praying group for German priests and people at the end of 1944.

1945

March 11: Marthe Dortel-Claudot meets with Bishop Théas in Montauban.

March 12: Cardinal Saliège in Toulouse gives his encouragement to the prayer initiative.

March 13: Pax Christi is officially founded in Montauban as a crusade of prayer for Germany.

Easter: First Pax Christi circular letter is issued by Bishop Théas, emphasizing reconciliation and Christian love.

1946

July 19-22: Pax Christi supports the “crusade of prayer for peace” in Vézelay, bringing together pilgrims from various countries.

November 1: Pax Christi’s mission is expanded from a crusade of prayer
for Germany to a crusade of prayer for all nations.

1946

July 19-22: Pax Christi supports the “crusade of prayer for peace” in Vézelay, bringing together pilgrims from various countries.

November 1: Pax Christi’s mission is expanded from a crusade of prayer
for Germany to a crusade of prayer for all nations.

1947

Bishop Théas is appointed bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, enhancing Pax Christi’s international reach.

An international pilgrimage for peace is held in Lourdes, attended by 18,000 participants from 12 countries.

1948

April 1-4: First international Pax Christi Congress takes place in Kevelaer, Germany, leading to the official establishment of the German Pax Christi section.

1948

April 1-4: First international Pax Christi Congress takes place in Kevelaer, Germany, leading to the official establishment of the German Pax Christi section.

1952

Pax Christi gains status as an official international Catholic peace movement under Pope Pius XII. The 1st International Route for Peace takes place from Assisi to Rome, Italy.

1969

July 8: Bishop Théas is recognized as one of the “Righteous among the Nations” by Yad Vashem for his courageous actions during the war.

1969

July 8: Bishop Théas is recognized as one of the “Righteous among the Nations” by Yad Vashem for his courageous actions during the war.