The oldest Catholic lay educational society in America was founded on December 22, 1850 by Father Edward Sourin (later a member of the Society of Jesus). Named, Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute, it was organized as a fraternal setting in which young Catholic men could “cultivate and improve the minds… and aid in the diffusion of literature and education among men." Father Sourin was concerned about the lack of education of Irish and German immigrants and saw a lecture and discussion Institute as the means to improve it. On December 14, 1850, Father Sourin had a small meeting where he discussed the idea starting such a group. The following week, the first official meeting was held at Old St. Mary’s Rectory with 14 men in attendance. There they picked the name Philopatrian, meaning “love of one’s country” and the motto of “Revere the Church thy Mother and love thy Fatherland."

Today, the Philo's mission remains virtually the same. In addition to our educational mission, the group now also has a focus on charity work. No longer a fraternal society for Irish and German immigrants, our group welcomes members from all genders, ethnicities, and races.