Apostolic Spirituality

Spirituality is the living, vibrant, personal encounter with the living God. It is a wide road open to everyone who desires to participate in the Church's rich spiritual heritage.

Responding to the human and spiritual needs of their times, many of the great religious founders and foundresses in the Church emphasized particular values in their work, teaching and mission. These values formed a spiritual vision, or a spirituality, which in turn "colored" every aspect of the life of a religious congregation. Oftentimes, this spiritual vision was shared not only by the members of a religious community, but also with lay men and women who found this particular spirituality, or way to God, helpful and life-giving in their own seeking of union with God and service to others.

The spirituality of the Daughters of St. Paul is called "Pauline," and it reflects the spiritual values and vision of Father James Alberione. In the Pauline spirituality, Father Alberione offered the Daughters of St. Paul and the other nine institutes he founded (all together called the Pauline Family), an integrated vision of Christ and the human person: "The whole Christ, Way, Truth and Life for the whole person, mind, will and heart." The unifying center of our lives is Jesus Christ the Master who invites us to become one with him in love. In Jesus Master every human heart finds complete fulfillment.  

Fr. Alberione rooted the Pauline spirituality in the life and teaching of St. Paul, the apostle who lived in intimacy with Christ and spent his energy and his life to proclaim the Good News to all peoples. St. Paul's spirit of love for Jesus Master, of energy for the kingdom, of thanksgiving and of tireless dedication inspire every Pauline with the same sentiments.

The presence of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in the life of the Paulines inspires the same total availability to God that was Mary's lifelong attitude. Mary is the model of faith and love who leads all to Jesus Master, and forms us for the mission of communicating God's Word to the world.

Pauline prayer is nourished at the living fonts of the Word of God and the Eucharist. It is from here that the Paulines derive the strength needed to spend their lives seeking holiness of life in the service of the Gospel. As Father Alberione put it, speaking to the Daughters: Paulines are to "... live in the Eucharist, in the reading of the Gospel, in the contemplation of the examples of Jesus Master."

Pauline prayer is characterized by the daily Hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. In fact, Alberione's inspiration to begin the Pauline Family of congregations and institutes was the fruit of his own Eucharistic prayer.

At the Center: Jesus Master | Prayer to Jesus Master
Why St. Paul | Getting to Know Paul the Apostle
Mary, as Mother, Teacher and Queen
Apostolic Spirituality and Holiness | Communicating Christ