June 7, 1968 Tydings, Difato and friends hold the first meeting of a tiny prayer group that includes charismatic practices.

1970s The community grows to several hundred members and begins to take on a more formal structure.

1972 The name Mother of God is chosen, reflecting the community's "total obedience to the divine purpose."

Mid-1970s Joseph Difato directs the community toward Montgomery Village, near Gaithersburg, and migration begins.

1974 Joseph Difato, Edith Difato's eldest son, takes a leadership role in the community.

Late 1981 Mother of God begins publishing a devotional magazine called The Word Among Us that eventually becomes the community's prime cash engine.

1980s The influx into Gaithersburg continues, and the community peaks at perhaps 1,200 members.

Late 1980s Privately, several people begin to question the way Mother of God operates.

Early 1994 The archdiocese undertakes an in-depth review of Mother of God's structure and operations.

Mid-1994 The nun leading the archdiocese's review of Mother of God invites people to meet with her. Many express reservations about the community's practices.

Late 1994 At Joseph Difato's request, other Orange Systems owners agree to pay $1.3 million to buy out his share of the company.

May 21, 1995 The dissent spills into the open when one of Mother of God's founders, Judith Tydings, reads a critical letter aloud in a prayer meeting.

Sept. 23, 1995 Cardinal James Hickey visits the community, outlines problems, asks the Difatos to step down and insists on reform.

Feb. 1, 1996 The Difato family formally leaves Mother of God after winning promises that they will be protected against lawsuits and that financial records will be sealed.

Feb. 14, 1997 The Mother of God community, much smaller and operating under new procedures and democratic leadership, wins formal approval from the Archdiocese of Washington.