Louis-Joseph Antoine was born in Belgium in 1846 and became a coal miner at age 12, later working as a steelworker. His harsh but steady life as a laborer was disrupted when he was in his late 40s by the death of his son in 1893. Though Antoine had limited formal education, he had already been developing an interest in spiritual matters and was dissatisfied with the Catholic faith into which he had been born. His son’s death led him to turn his attention to Spiritualism.
Antoine formed a small group that he called “The Vine Growers of the Lord,” through which he shared his belief in the possibility for communication with the spirit realm and the importance of altruism and charity in personal spiritual development. He gained a reputation as a spirit healer and channeler, and his following grew. He published a short volume called Little Spiritist Catechism, which his first followers distributed widely in Belgium.
About a decade after his emergence as a spiritual teacher, Antoine’s teachings shifted away from an emphasis on spirit entities. He went so far as to destroy all known copies of a short collection of his earlier speeches, announcing a “New Spiritualism” in their place. He now touted the importance of individual faith as the chief catalyst for healing. He inaugurated a dedicate space for collective healing sessions that would become the first Antoinist temple. He also developed a theology that included the fundamental non-existence of matter and a belief in reincarnation. He introduced the laying on of hands as a conduit for transmitting healing energy, which would become central to Antoinism. Antoine would transfer a vital energy or “benevolent fluid” to followers through this ritual action.
Antoine died in 1912 and his wife Catherine Antoine became the leader of the Antoinist movement. Called “Mother” by followers, Catherine Antoine organized and codified her husband’s teachings into a coherent theology. She also created an organizational framework for the still-growing movement. In the years following the First World War, Antoinist temples sprung up around Belgium and France, appealing to spiritual searchers who had become dissatisfied with traditional organized religion. Antoinism spread to other countries in western Europe, but Antoinist communities would eventually also be founded in the Belgian Congo and in Brazil.
Though Antoinism was rooted in Christian belief, its focus was on healing through faith and the spiritual power of selflessness and compassion. Antoinist practitioners also focus on cultivating their ability to harness “benevolent fluid” in order to heal others. Antoinists believe that human suffering is largely due to one’s own negative actions and thought patterns and that true healing can only come through the cultivation of positive virtues such as love and forgiveness.
Antoinist temples do not accept financial contributions from followers. Members volunteer their time and skills to support the religion but are not expected to provide monetary donations. Antoinists also do not proselytize, relying on setting positive examples in the larger community that may have the result of attracting new members.
The color green and the symbol of the tree play key roles in Antoinism, representing growth and renewal. Antoinist temples are painted green, with the tree emblem usually displayed both on the exterior and interior.
Antoinism is designated as a religious association in France. In a 1995 parliamentary report, Antoinism was classified as a cult, a determination that was criticized by anti-cult activists and organizations as unrepresentative of the religion’s character.
Key Sources:
Boffy, J. (1997). Historique du Culte antoiniste. Louis Antoine et l’antoinisme.
Dericquebourg, R. (1993). Les antoinistes.
Elettra, E. H. (2025, March 26). The Last Children of Antoine. The Dial.
The New York Sun (1910, December 25). A New Sect and its Prophet — Antoinism Has 160,000 Followers in Belgium.
Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements 