It was never intentionally meant to be a "secret society." However, in the early days of the association, there was considerable "anti-clericalism" in France. This and the fact that its members there have endured several world wars meant it was prudent to keep one's religious practices to oneself. Even in the United States, there have been some members who did not want their affiliation widely known because of anti-Catholic sentiment. It has taken many years to develop a more open, public culture, but that is gradually happening, as we "open the doors of Madame Carre's parlor" to all the world with this website.