The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, also called the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, was first organized on December 8, 1841, making it one of Xavier University’s first student organizations. The Sodality organized events, raised funds, sponsored a library, conducted service work, and engaged with other Catholic societies through the work of its various sections.

The 1850 Sodality record book states the name of the Sodality as the “Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the 1868 book names it as “Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the letter of Auxilium Christianorum.”

The first listing of the Sodality appears in the 1886-1887 University Catalog with its purpose as “the promotion of filial love toward the Mother of God, and the practice of virtue and piety among its members. The director is appointed by the Faculty, the other officers are elected by the members. It has a library of 800 books.” There was a “Senior Sodality” with 116 members and a “Junior Sodality” with 108 members (pages 41-42).

The 1903-1904 catalog mentions two Sodalities of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Sodality of the Immaculate Conception for senior students and the Sodality of Our Lady, Help of Christians, for junior students. The 1917-1918 catalog refers to just one Sodality and the description is changed to the following: “The purpose of the Sodality is to develop Christian character under the protection of the Mother of Christ and to cultivate the lay apostolate. The College Sodality endeavors to obtain this twofold purpose by conducting weekly meetings in the chapel at which the office of the Blessed Virgin is recited and instructions are given by the director and by organizing sections for the promotion of special activities” (page 81). By 1929-1930, the catalog adds that “The Sodality was established and affiliated to the First Sodality in Rome on December 8, 1841.”

Over time, the Sodality organized itself into sections: The Entertainment Section, the Goerres Literature Section, the Ozanam Section, and the Mission Section. The Entertainment Section organized lectures and assisted other Catholic societies with recitations and musical selections in programs. The Goerres Literature Section worked on the “cause of Catholic Literature” (Athenaeum, Vol. VI, No. 2, December 1917). The Ozanam Section engaged in social work (for example, working with boys in the Juvenile Court and the Detention Home). The Mission Section promoted “interests of the missions” by “weekly collection and the regular distribution of mission literature.” In 1916, the Sodality reorganized and added Eucharistic, Federation, and Acolythical sections.

The 1970-1971 University catalog says that the Sodality has been renamed “Students for Christian Community” and describes it as follows: “This organization, formerly known as the Sodality, is affiliated with the International Sodality Movement, headquartered in Rome. The Sodality was established at Xavier in 1840 [sic]. Today Students for Christian Community offers Catholic students a social program, a spiritual program, participation in Catholic actions, and personal counselling” (page 51). The catalogs from 1971 to 1976 contain the same description of Students for Christian Community. The 1976-1978 catalog omits any mention of the Sodality or the Students for Christian Community. Neither is mentioned in any subsequent catalog.

This historical sketch was informed by the research of Thomas Kennealy, SJ.