THE CHARISM OF THE PAULINES IN BRIEF
The Society of St. Paul is a religious congregation of priests and brothers who live a vowed life of poverty, chastity, obedience and fidelity to the Holy Father They proclaim God's Word through the media and by using modern instruments of communication in our changing world.
The Society of St. Paul was founded in 1914 in Italy by Fr. James Alberione. It is part of a large family called the ‘Pauline Family' which has over 17, 000 members and is present in 62 countries over the world. Its members are also known as the ‘Paulines'.
Blessed James Alberione was deeply convinced that the Pauline Family was the answer to St. Paul Apostle prayers. This is why the Paulines feel their vocation as being called to be St. Paul who lives today.
St. Paul the Apostle wrote: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel" (1Corinthians 1,17). Under the auspices of St. Paul the Apostle, the Paulines preach the Holy Gospel all above with the most efficacious means which have been invented by people. They do not serve as priests within the parish. This is why the Paulines very often connect the passion of preaching with Bible studies, journalism, literature, films, music, photography, IT, electronics, economics, etc. Every skill and ability may be used as a tool of preaching the Gospel and can be developed in the life as a religious priest or brother.
The Paulines carry out their apostolate by running the publishing house called ‘St. Paul's Editions' which has its headquarters in Częstochowa. They prepare a lot of publications such as: books, gifts, films, press and mini-media, i.e., postcards, calendars, bookmarks and so on. Their content is directly distribution of Gospel's words or comes from the Gospel or comment on it giving the opportunity to think as Christian do.
The Pauline charism, like charisms of others religious congregations, is a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. In the Society of St. Paul, every apostolic work comes from prayer and above all from the Holy Mass and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Prayer for the apostolate flows from the whole St. Paul Family. It helps to choose the right topic and its compilation to be consistent with God's will and thus effectively interact with their recipients.
The efficaciousness of this apostolate is confirmed by the testimonies given by people, who thanks to these means, have come close to God. There in the places where the priest or the catechist cannot arrive, the Word of God lives on through the various means of social communication.
It is noticeable in today's mass media that Jesus and His Church are often laughed at, insulted and fought against. All this mobilizes apostles to make use of the same instruments to use them for good by prayer, work and a holy life and compensate God for any disrespect.
Blessed James Alberione greatly desired that his spiritual daughters and brothers aim to be perfect in love, as only a holy apostle can bring fruit of his service. This is the way to know and follow Jesus Christ, Divine Master who is the Way, Truth and Life. The Pauline priest or brother, by modeling their life on St. Paul Apostle who wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2,20), aims towards holiness by forming his thoughts, desires and feelings on those of Jesus the Divine Master.
tłumaczenie: Barbara Sawczyk
Adres:
Kuria Prowincjalna Towarzystwa Świętego Pawła
ul. Św. Pawła 13/15
42-221 Częstochowa • Polska
