FOUNDERS
Blessed
James Alberione
4 April 1884 – 26 November
1971
"...the
first apostle of the new evangelization."
Pope John Paul II
On December 31, 1900, during a special night of prayer before the Eucharist, the young seminarian James Alberione felt himself called to serve God and the people of the new century.
During that night, he resolved to do something new and wonderful for the Church of the Twentieth Century. At the time, many were complaining about the "evils" of the bad "press" and an idea gradually arose in his fertile mind that the press should be utilized for good and the human spirit nurtured by the truth and wisdom of the Gospel. From then on, this invitation transformed and gave specific direction to his future life as a priest, apostle, and communicator of Christ.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, his call gradually became clearer, and a group of young boys under his direction began publishing the the diocesan newspaper in Alba, Gazzette d'Alba. It was the beginnings of the apostolate of the press to spread the gospel.
Thus in 1914 the Society of St. Paul was born.
A year later, he founded a similar group for women, the Daughters of St. Paul.
His ideal, like that of St. Paul, was universal – all the means of modern communications were to be used so that all people would hear the Gospel.
For this extraordinary mission, new apostles were needed (both men and women) who could dedicate themselves entirely to this service.
By the time of his death in 1971, Fr. James Alberione had founded ten institutes that are known today as the Pauline family.
On December 20, 2002, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree for the beatification of Fr. James Alberione. His beatification took place on April 27, 2003 at St Peter’s Square in Rome.
Alberione on the day of his ordination
Prayer
through the intercession of Blessed James Alberione
Lord, glorify Blessed James Alberione
in Your Church.
Let him be for all of us light.
Guide and support the work of
our sanctification and in our apostolate.
Open the way for evangelisation
so that the presence of Jesus Master,
the Way, the Truth and the Life
may shine on the world through Mary,
Mother and Queen of the Apostles.
Grant me the grace I am praying for….
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be….
Jesus Master, the Way, the Truth and the Life, have mercy
on us.
Mary, Queen of the Apostles, pray for us.
Saint Paul the Apostle, pray for us
From all sin, deliver us O Lord.
Those who obtain graces and favours through the intercession
of Blessed James Alberione, are kindly asked to
contact us.
"In the morning, therefore, let us place ourselves at the Master's feet and say to Him, 'Jesus, you are the Way, I want to walk in Your footsteps; You are the Truth, enlighten me, You are the Life, give me grace.' "
"Master, Your life maps out the path for me, Your doctrine confirms and makes steady my footsteps, Your grace sustains and upholds me on the journey to heaven."
"How many times have you considered the question: "Where is humanity going? How is it going? Toward what goal is humanity headed? This humanity that is continually renewing itself on the face of the earth?" "
"No greater wealth can be given to this poor and proud world, than Jesus Christ. The world has need of Jesus Christ Way, Truth and Life."
For
more on Blessed James Alberione and his thoughts, visit
www.alberione.com
Venerable
Thecla (Teresa) Merlo
20 February 1894 – 5 February 1964
Teresa Merlo met Fr. Alberione June 27, 1915, and agreed to collaborate with him in giving life to his apostolic vision.
From that time on, with tremendous faith and untiring trust, Teresa, who took the religious name of Thecla, (after St. Paul's first female disciple) assisted him not only in the foundation and formation of the Daughters of St. Paul, but with the other Congregations of the Pauline Family and his many other apostolic works.
Her deep faith and trust in God, her example and courage, her close collaboration with Alberione and her loving guidance of the sisters won for her the respect and love of all who knew her.
She helped to shape the particular spirit and new mission of the Daughters of St Paul dedicated to evangelization with all the means technology would provide.
Nothing was ever enough for her when it came to communicating the Good News of Christ the Lord to the people: “Our field of apostolate is the entire world.”
She died on February 5, 1964, and the Church proclaimed her "Venerable" on January 22, 1991.
More on Venerable Thecla Merlo
A Call To Love - ebook on Ven Thecla Merlo
HOW
TO BE HAPPY
“Our heart, our soul is too big to be happy with things which
end. Only God can make us happy, serving God, loving God, sacrificing
ourselves for Him. Then one is always happy. Let us unite ourselves
intimately to God and we will be happy any place, with anyone, in any
work.”
Venerable Thecla Merlo
Most holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we thank You for having,
created, redeemed and sanctified Your humble and faithful servant, Sister
Thecla Merlo and for having constituted her Mother and Co-Foundress of
the Daughters of St. Paul who are consecrated to the apostolate of the
Mass Media of Communication.
Deign now to glorify her even here on earth, granting us, through her
intercession the grace we ask of You….
O Mary, Mother, Teacher and Queen of the Apostles, support our plea with
your maternal intercession. Amen.
Glory be….Hail Mary…..
Those who obtain graces and favours through the intercession of Sister Thecla Merlo are kindly asked to contact us.
13 June 1896 - January 24, 1948
Blessed Timothy Giaccardo, the first member of the Pauline
Family to be raised to the altars, has a special place in each Pauline's
heart. As a young boy, Fr. Alberione picked him out and sent him to the
seminary. Eventually he became not only Alberione's right hand man and
a primary figure in the interpretation of the Pauline charism, he was
also in a special way instrumental in the life of the congregation of
the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, the third community founded
by Alberione.
Father Timothy Giaccardo was proclaimed "blessed" by Pope John
Paul II on October 22, 1990.
More
on Blessed Timothy Giaccardo
Feast
Day October 22
History of the Daughters of St. Paul
The story of the Daughters of St Paul runs parallel to the story of the extraordinary development of the media in the 20th century, and to the story of the Church in this period.
It began in Northern Italy in 1915, when Fr James Alberione first gathered
around him a small group of young women and girls whom he prepared to
carry out the printing apostolate. He asked Sr Teresa Merlo to be our
first Superior General.
It was through the faith and guidance of these two remarkable leaders that we received firm foundations and continued to grow.
Humble
beginnings
Our congregation started out by printing and distributing Bibles and catechisms
at a time when the Bible was not well known, nor its prayerful study encouraged
among Catholics. The editorial and publishing aspect of our ministry quickly
developed and soon afterwards our radio ministry evolved. In time we opened
book centres so that people could easily find good Christian reading material
and resources. The criteria for choice of content were always made with
the view to promote the human and spiritual growth of the person.
Spreading
out
In the early 1930s the Sisters began to move out from Italy so that, following
the example of St. Paul, we could continue our mission in every corner
of the earth. Today, our sisters can be found on five continents and in
50 nations with a total of 260 communities worldwide.
The Pauline Institute has 2,560 members and about 300 young women in formation.
This international aspect of our Institute encourages a great love and
respect for the diversity among cultures, and an emphasis on inculturation.
Over the years our ministry has continued to develop and change as society
itself has progressed. Our founder encouraged us to learn and make use
of the new forms of media as they emerge.
This spirit
of change and adaptability is essential to the character of our Institute.
It gives us a very positive outlook on the future, and the courage to
welcome the challenge of speaking about God in new ways to the people
of each new generation.
