From A Year With Blessed James Alberione, Compiled by J. Maurus
A canticle of life
(Father James Alberione was born on this day, April 4, 1884 at San Lorenzo di Fossano, Cunei, Italy.)
I thank the Lord for my life, baptism, priestly, religious, and Pauline Vocation. I owe everything to God alone, in spite of my great unworthiness.
I adore the Supreme Good, the Beginning and End of all and everything. I offer Him the expiation of Jesus Christ and the sorrows of Mary, declaring my full trust: "I believe in the remission of sins."
May the grace of the Lord, His light, and His comfort be always with me, with each one of my brothers and sisters, throughout life, at death, and for all eternity.
Let us love one another well, and greatly. Night and day I keep you all, the living and the dead, in my prayers.
I thank the Lord who willed to give so many lovely persons to the Pauline Family.
Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed James Alberione: Lord, glorify in Your Church Your Priest, Blessed Father James Alberione. May he be for all of us an example and intercessor in the journey of our sanctification and of our apostolic commitment. Open the ways of evangelization so that the presence of Jesus Master, Way and Truth and Life may shine in the world, through Mary, Mother and Queen of Apostles, Grant me the graces that I ask for at this time...
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"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
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"Fear not, I am with you. From here I want to enlighten. Atone for sin."
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Why?
Why a blog? Why St. Paul? Why do I think I have any business doing this?
We are all on a spiritual journey. We all want that journey to lead us to heaven, to eternity with God. For this journey, we need one another.
The journey so far has led me to read and learn about so many forms of authentic Catholic spirituality - Ignatian, Benedictine, Carmelite, Dominican, Franciscan, etc. My biggest problem was that I came to love each one tremendously. I began reading more and more, spending more and more time at the Daughters of St. Paul bookstore on Watson Road here in St. Louis. Who would have thought my greatest conversion story would take place in a bookstore? Mine was not quite as sudden or dramatic as St. Paul on the road to Damascus, but getting to know the Daughters of St. Paul affected me no less significantly.
The sisters are Eucharistic by nature. The first time I entered the chapel in their bookstore, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and one of the sisters was on her knees, gazing at Christ, with an indescribably beautiful smile on her face. I had a glimpse of heaven. I knelt at one of the other kneelers and noticed on the wall behind the monstrance the words: "Fear not, I am with you. From here I want to enlighten. Atone for sin." I had that brief moment of absolute certainty that I was on the right path.
Over the last several years I have worked my way through as many books, CD's, DVD's and conversations with the Daughters of St. Paul that time has allowed. Time is at such a premium for all of us. Years ago we were told that with advances in technology we would have much more free time on our hands. We all know this has not been the case. Our lives are busier and more hectic than ever. Even if we are unable to find time to read good books, see enlightening movies or attend lectures and discussions, maybe we could all spend a little time on the internet supporting one another on our faith journeys. Many of you know more about many aspects of Catholic spirituality than I do.
Pope John Paul the Great called us all to a New Evangelization, to share the Gospel with the world. I am hoping we can all be St. Paul in this blog space by sharing Christ with one another and with others. St. Paul travelled to many foreign and often hostile regions to evangelize the world; we are fortunate to be able to use the internet to reach even farther and more quickly.
The idea of using today's means of social communication to spread the Gospel was given to Blessed James Alberione on the night between the centuries (December 31, 1900 - January 1, 1901). He was a 16 year-old seminary student adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament when a special light came to him from the Host. Following this, Blessed James Alberione became the founder of the Society of St. Paul priests, the Daughters of St. Paul, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Sisters of the Queen of Apostles, and numerous institutes that are also part of the Pauline family.
So what is Pauline spirituality? In my experience, Pauline spirituality encompasses all the teachings of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and love of all the other spiritualities and Saints of the Church. It is the members of the Pauline family who are the happiest people I know! It is loving God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with all our hearts and souls, through the intercession of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and St. Paul.
So why St. Paul? I can relate to St. Paul. We first meet him in the New Testament as a sinner. He has a thorn in his side that God decides is best not to take away. I sometimes wish I knew what that thorn was, but it's probably better I don't know. I like to pretend it is one of my many weaknesses or faults. If St. Paul could go from persecuting Christ and His Church to becoming the person responsible for spreading the Gospel and establishing the Church in foreign lands, the least I can do is start a blog. I have been especially inspired by my two favorite bloggers, Sr. Margaret Charles Kerry, fsp, and a Pauline Cooperator named Rae Stabosz. I believe Sr. Margaret and Rae are doing just what St. Paul and Blessed James Alberione would be doing with the internet.
In future blogs (which will be shorter than this first post!), I would like to share writings of St. Paul, Blessed James Alberione, and many others. I look forward to others sharing writings from other Catholic spiritualities and writers. An especially Pauline way of sharing is to point out to one another what aspects particularly speak to each of us.
Another Pauline trait is to pray for one another. My prayer is that we support one another on our path to holiness. Our goal is to glorify God in all that we do - so let's do it!
We are all on a spiritual journey. We all want that journey to lead us to heaven, to eternity with God. For this journey, we need one another.
The journey so far has led me to read and learn about so many forms of authentic Catholic spirituality - Ignatian, Benedictine, Carmelite, Dominican, Franciscan, etc. My biggest problem was that I came to love each one tremendously. I began reading more and more, spending more and more time at the Daughters of St. Paul bookstore on Watson Road here in St. Louis. Who would have thought my greatest conversion story would take place in a bookstore? Mine was not quite as sudden or dramatic as St. Paul on the road to Damascus, but getting to know the Daughters of St. Paul affected me no less significantly.
The sisters are Eucharistic by nature. The first time I entered the chapel in their bookstore, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and one of the sisters was on her knees, gazing at Christ, with an indescribably beautiful smile on her face. I had a glimpse of heaven. I knelt at one of the other kneelers and noticed on the wall behind the monstrance the words: "Fear not, I am with you. From here I want to enlighten. Atone for sin." I had that brief moment of absolute certainty that I was on the right path.
Over the last several years I have worked my way through as many books, CD's, DVD's and conversations with the Daughters of St. Paul that time has allowed. Time is at such a premium for all of us. Years ago we were told that with advances in technology we would have much more free time on our hands. We all know this has not been the case. Our lives are busier and more hectic than ever. Even if we are unable to find time to read good books, see enlightening movies or attend lectures and discussions, maybe we could all spend a little time on the internet supporting one another on our faith journeys. Many of you know more about many aspects of Catholic spirituality than I do.
Pope John Paul the Great called us all to a New Evangelization, to share the Gospel with the world. I am hoping we can all be St. Paul in this blog space by sharing Christ with one another and with others. St. Paul travelled to many foreign and often hostile regions to evangelize the world; we are fortunate to be able to use the internet to reach even farther and more quickly.
The idea of using today's means of social communication to spread the Gospel was given to Blessed James Alberione on the night between the centuries (December 31, 1900 - January 1, 1901). He was a 16 year-old seminary student adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament when a special light came to him from the Host. Following this, Blessed James Alberione became the founder of the Society of St. Paul priests, the Daughters of St. Paul, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Sisters of the Queen of Apostles, and numerous institutes that are also part of the Pauline family.
So what is Pauline spirituality? In my experience, Pauline spirituality encompasses all the teachings of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and love of all the other spiritualities and Saints of the Church. It is the members of the Pauline family who are the happiest people I know! It is loving God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit with all our hearts and souls, through the intercession of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and St. Paul.
So why St. Paul? I can relate to St. Paul. We first meet him in the New Testament as a sinner. He has a thorn in his side that God decides is best not to take away. I sometimes wish I knew what that thorn was, but it's probably better I don't know. I like to pretend it is one of my many weaknesses or faults. If St. Paul could go from persecuting Christ and His Church to becoming the person responsible for spreading the Gospel and establishing the Church in foreign lands, the least I can do is start a blog. I have been especially inspired by my two favorite bloggers, Sr. Margaret Charles Kerry, fsp, and a Pauline Cooperator named Rae Stabosz. I believe Sr. Margaret and Rae are doing just what St. Paul and Blessed James Alberione would be doing with the internet.
In future blogs (which will be shorter than this first post!), I would like to share writings of St. Paul, Blessed James Alberione, and many others. I look forward to others sharing writings from other Catholic spiritualities and writers. An especially Pauline way of sharing is to point out to one another what aspects particularly speak to each of us.
Another Pauline trait is to pray for one another. My prayer is that we support one another on our path to holiness. Our goal is to glorify God in all that we do - so let's do it!
"I thank the Lord who willed to give so many lovely persons to the Pauline Family."
ReplyDeleteJeff, this is an awesome blog - I thank you and I thank the Lord for your Pauline presence! I am grateful on this day of our dear Blessed Alberione's birth to have found "love of Saint Paul".
As a consecrated Pauline in the Holy Family Institute, I truly appreciate your love for the Church, your posts, Pauline Spirituality and use of media to proclaim the Good News.
I encourage you Jeff, in the Presence of our Eucharistic Lord, to prayerfully consider the the Holy Family Institute. Please check out hficoncord.com and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_vows(see HFI "In the Roman Catholic Church today")
Church sanctioned and regulated, the gift of HFI confers on those married and widowed, the blessings of consecrated life. This is an incredible grace, a tremendous gift of great value in the Church today and fruit of our Baptism - to live the fullness of our life in Christ.
Our Decree states that "Blessed James Alberione, moved by the desire to promote the spiritual good and sanctity of the Christian family, founded in 1963 the Institute called 'Holy Family', for husbands and wives who wish to commit themselves to seeking evangelical perfection in marriage by means of the vows of conjugal chastity, poverty and obedience" and with a special promise of fidelity to the Pope.
"The Pauline Family strives to fully live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Way, Truth and Life, in the spirit of Saint Paul, under the gaze of the Queen of Apostles...There are not many details, or unusual devotions, or excessive formalities. The aim is to live in Christ the Master and in the Church."
From "Christ lives in Me":
"Fill all our powers with yourself. Live in us, so that we may radiate you."
The heart of Pauline spirituality is life in Christ, a life that is transformed by the truth, power, and grace of Christ who lives always more fully in us. Everyone is called to live this holiness, this profound union with Christ; everyone is called to the fulfillment, joy, and self-giving that true union with Jesus brings about in our lives. Holiness is defined by the Church as a profound living out of faith, hope and above all, love. This doesn't mean that the saint is one who is disconnected from daily life. On the contrary; for Alberione, sanctity is associated with integration and maturity. The saint is the person who is completely engaged in his or her life, because he or she knows that this is where God is found, and this is where Jesus can act through, with, and in us, thus transforming not only our own lives, but the world in which we live.
Alberione: "Consider the whole span of our life: from the time our soul left the creative hands of our heavenly Father to the time when we shall sit at that table of eternal happiness, 'That you may sit and drink in the kingdom of my Father' (cf Lk 22:30). Reflect always on the whole of life - time and eternity. Many things seem useful and helpful to make life easier and more satisfying in this world. But we always have to ask whether they are useful for eternal life: 'What use has this for eternity?' Our way of thinking will then become quite different...Our human planning is turned upside down, because reasoning starts from other principles and leads to new and different conclusions:
'I AM DESTINED FOR ETERNITY'
May the grace of this Holy Week and Easter joy draw you ever closer to..."I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me..." Gal 2:20.
I assure you of my prayers at the Tabernacle, please keep me in yours as well. God bless you Jeff.
In Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life,
Tami