History Our Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, was moved by the Holy Spirit to form a "Tertiary Group" of lay people to share the spirituality of the Sons & Daughters of Charity from the very beginning of the Institute.  

The "Statutes of the Canossian Collaborators" was approved by the Church on 1st May, 1950. This is the first recorded name for the Lay Canossians. 

The new name "Lay Canossians" was initiated in 1990 after XII General Chapter of the Institute.

會祖在1808年創立嘉諾撒仁愛女修會之初，便培訓了一些有意分享她「那卑微修會」的神恩的平信徒，以同一的精神，將基督的愛帶到一些修女和神父未能踏足之處。這些在俗信徒，當時被稱為「第三會」，亦即今日的嘉諾撒在俗會。

Institute The "Lay Canossian Association" is part of the extended Canossian Family which includes the Sisters, the Fathers, the Secular Missionaries and the various Lay Canossian groups.  The "Lay Canossians" are an International Catholic Association; a group of lay persons called to share the charismatic gift of the "perfection of charity" according to the understanding that Magdalene of Canossa had of the Paschal Mystery. 

The "Lay Canossians" are scattered in all parts of the world, and they have their Central Office in Rome.