Before the Founder died, there were 300 Holy Family consecrated seculars living discreetly in the world. He founded, then, a sort of Secular Institute at a time when such a group was not known. There is nothing to indicate, however, that he thought of this as an entity, an autonomous group. There was no distinct government for the Ladies of the Holy Family, and the feasts they were called to celebrate applied to the entire Association.

In 1947, Pius XII published the Apostolic Constitution, 'Provida Mater Ecclesia' which gave status to Secular Institutes. In the light of Roman documents and regulations, the General Chapter of 1957 declared that it was not possible for The Ladies of the Holy Family to remain in the status quo, if they were to be revitalised. This resulted in the creation of a Secular Institute, called The Auxiliaries of Nazareth. Canon Law did not allow the combination of laity, consecrated seculars and religious into one group. Eventually, in March 1984, the members chose the juridical structure of a Secular Institute, to be henceforth known as 'The Holy Family Secular Institute'. This decision was taken while retaining a close link with and being an integral part of the Association of the Holy Family. Archbishop Maziers of Bordeaux canonically established the Holy Family Secular Institute on May 1, 1988.

The Constitutions of the three groups of consecrated life - Contemplative, Apostolic and Seculars as well as the Statutes of the Lay and Priest Associates - contain articles in common, which affirm officially the nature and aim of the Association of the Holy Family. All the members of the Holy Family have the same apostolic aim and live the same spirituality.

The Secular Institute has members in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Cameroon, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Sri Lanka (Colombo and Jaffna) South Africa, and Spain.