In Vic, on July 16, 1849, in a simple cell of the former diocesan seminary, the first Mission House of the Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was born, founded by Fr. Claret and five companions. Bishop Luciano Casadevall gave them some permanent housing in the old and abandoned convent of La Merced, where they lived with the Founder until his departure to Santiago de Cuba. The missionaries expanded their evangelizing presence throughout the world from this Mother House; nevertheless, they have always been journeying back to the Mother House  as a meeting place with their origins.