A Brief Narrative on the Pauline Family

 

One hundred years ago this month, on August 20,1914, a young priest gathered some small boys before the Blessed Sacrament for an Hour of Adoration before blessing a tiny typography...a few small rooms, a handful of people, a giant dream to respond to the desire of Jesus that all people be brought to him, the Way, and Truth, and Life of humanity: "Come to me.... Come and I will refresh you.... Do not be afraid of me, for I am meek and humble of heart and your souls shall find rest."

The Pauline Family began in times not so different from our own. The date was August 20, 1914, less than one month after Austria declared war on Serbia. The first years of the Pauline Family's life were lived under the shadow of war. I have been reading a history of the 20th Century and at each turning point I wondered what our Founder had been thinking about as the Pauline mission developed. He often told us to ask ourselves: "Where are men going...this vast river of humanity marching into eternity.... Will it be saved?" In fact it is this question that spurs the entire Pauline Family on around the world, as it seeks in many different ways to bring humanity to Jesus, the one and only Way to the Father who alone can bring peace, the Truth and true reflection of the Father's glory, the Master who bends lovingly over us to heal us and bring us back to life with the gift of his body and blood in the Eucharist.

The Pauline Family is made up of five religious congregations, four institutes for priests, families, single women, and single men, and the Pauline Cooperators. Together, religious, priests, and laity who follow Blessed James Alberione, we are thousands strong and stretch across the world, making St. Paul alive again...that lover of Jesus who proclaimed the mercy of God to the whole known world.

Learn more about the Pauline Family here, and enter into the heart of Blessed James Alberione by looking through his "unauthorized autobiography" here, written by one of our novices who wanted to retell Alberione's story with fresh language and new insight.

When I was an Aspirant (during my high school years in the convent), I often prayed the prayer of Elisha. When Elijah asked what he could give Elisha before he left the earth, Elisha asked for a "two-fold portion of his spirit." It has been my constant prayer, as I am sure it is for many Paulines. Even though our Founder died in 1971, his spirit and his burning love for the world is still alive in our Family today.

Feel us close to you in prayer!
Sr. Kathryn J. Hermes, FSP

From the writings of Blessed James Alberione as he recalled the first steps of the Pauline Family: 

On 20 August 1914, with an hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament followed by the blessing of the tiny typography, the Pauline Family began under the title of “The Little Workers Typographical School.” [The initiative] consisted of a few rooms, a handful of young people, a small chapel…and was preceded by a long preparation while waiting for the light of God to clarify and concretize everything and for divine Providence to prepare the means…. Under the hand of the Lord, nature and grace worked together so wisely and smoothly that it was not possible to distinguish the two parts: knowledge of things and persons, divine light, the advice of his spiritual director, the approval and encouragement of the bishop…. This day is dedicated to the memory of St. Bernard, a Doctor of the Church who dominated the political and religious spheres of the century in which he lived. In him, the heights of contemplation fused with an extremely active apostolate. He was a mellifluous writer and fearless to the point of reprimanding the powerful of the earth and of instructing the Pope. Thus the [Pauline] program to be carried out was placed under the patronage of this auspicious name. (From Discourse of Fr. James Alberione printed in the Alba Gazette, 20 August 1954)

In 1914–the beginning of the Pauline Family–generous souls, aware of what they should do, offered their lives and this was pleasing to the Lord. Young boys and girls, with proper orientation, lived in a spirit of faith and dedication, and some of them are still doing so. Among those who have already passed to their heavenly reward I would like to mention Fr. Giaccardo, (our first Vicar) and Sr. Thecla Merlo (Prima Maestra). God accomplished his purpose in spite of the fact that I was a useless servant instead of a builder…
As concerns my poor person: here too the Lord followed his usual style, which is divine: “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God.” (Cf. San Paolo, n. 3, March-April 1964, in CISP, pp. 539-540)

The life of each of us, and the life of the whole Institute, is an ongoing story of grace upon grace: the religious life for sanctification and spirituality in Christ; an apostolate suited to the needs of the times, and always more shining vistas of heaven, if we are always striving for perfection.
A reminder to everyone: the works of God are performed by people of God. (Fr. James Alberione’s Homily for the 50th Anniversary of Foundation of the Pauline Family; From: San Paolo, n. 6, July-August 1964, in CISP, p. 207, 210)