Our Founders
BLESSED JAMES ALBERIONE
Founder of the Pauline Family
‘First Apostle of the New Evangelisation’ (St John Paul II)
Father James Alberione (1884-1971) was one of the most creative apostles of the 20th century. He was born in San Lorenzo di Fossano (Cuneo), Italy, on 4 April 1884.
Inspired by the universal spirit of St Paul, Father Alberione recognised that the media could be used to reach the whole world with the message of the Gospel, and that this mission did not have to be limited to the ordained. He envisioned a community of priests, brothers, sisters, lay men and women: all committed to evangelising through every form of communications. Toward the end of his life, he promised: ‘From heaven,
I will intercede for those who use these most effective modern means in holiness, in Christ and in the Church.'
“There he is: humble, silent, tireless, always vigilant, recollected in his thoughts, which run from prayer to action; always intent on scrutinising the ‘signs of the times.' - St. Paul VI
VENERABLE THECLA MERLO
Co-Foundress of the Daughters of St Paul
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Teresa (1894-1964) was born in Castagnito (Piedmont), Italy, on February 20, 1894 to Hector Merlo and Vincenza Rolando. She was the second of four children. On June 27, 1915 when she was 21, she met Fr. James Alberione for the first time who spoke to her of his plans to establish a new community of sisters ‘for the Good Press.’ She devoted the rest of her life to the Pauline mission, becoming not only the mother and Co-Foundress of the Daughters of St Paul, but a real mother to the other institutes of the Pauline Family as they came into being.
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Click here for a reflection on "Maestra" Thecla (as she was known by the first sisters).
The Daughters of St Paul are one branch of the worldwide Pauline Family, founded by Blessed James Alberione.
The five religious congregations, four secular institutes and branch of Pauline Cooperators all share the same Pauline spirituality, seeking to live Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth and the Life, in the very spirit of St Paul.
The Pauline Family
Society of St Paul: priests and brothers dedicated to evangelisation through communications media
Daughters of St Paul: sisters dedicated to evangelisation through communications media
Sisters Disciples of the Divine Master: sisters who contribute to the beauty of the liturgy and the service of the priesthood; the Sister Disciples also make a special commitment to support the entire Pauline Family with their prayer
Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd: sisters engaged in pastoral care, especially in areas where priests are lacking
Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles: sisters who work in youth ministry, especially helping young people discover their unique vocation
Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation: single women who consecrate their lives to Jesus Christ living the evangelical counsels in the midst of their daily work and activity (secular institute)
Institute of St Gabriel the Archangel: single men who consecrate their lives to Jesus Christ within the Pauline Family, living the evangelical counsels in the midst of their daily work and activity (secular institute)
Institute of Jesus the Priest: diocesan priests and bishops who add the evangelical counsels to their priestly commitment, living the Pauline charism in their priestly ministry (secular institute)
Holy Family Institute: married men and women who add the evangelical counsels to their marriage vows, living the Pauline charism in the heart of the family (secular institute)
The Association Pauline Co-operators: a Vatican-recognised association of the faithful who share in the Pauline mission and spirituality to the extent possible to them.