INSTRUCTION XII
THE PAULINE FAMILY AND ITS PARISH
The Exemplar: the Triune God
There is a straight line running between in principio erat Verbum; et Verbum erat apud Deum1 and the end of time and our eternity in God through Jesus Christ. This line (or way) is Jesus Christ, Way, Truth and Life.
In God there is one nature and three Persons. To these three Persons we attribute power to the Father, wisdom to the Son, and love to the Holy Spirit.
What God does ad extra2 is the work of the three Persons. God said: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness [Gen 1:26]. But each one of the three Persons communicated something of his attribute. God's design is attributed to the Son: Per [quem] omnia facta sunt.3 As God is one so is man one; but man is gifted with three faculties which reflect the Father's omnipotence (the will); the Son's wisdom (intelligence); the Holy Spirit's love (feelings).
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God raised man to the supernatural order; he conferred grace on him; it is a gratuitous gift, precisely because it is grace. This grace, reflected on man's intelligence gave rise to faith; reflected on his feelings it communicated a supernatural love; reflected on his will it communicated a special strength. God erat simul condens naturam et fondens [infundens] gratiam.4
Adam sinned. He lost the grace that made him a friend of God, and was in deterius commutatus,5 as also were his mind, feelings, and will. He needed to be restored to his primitive state through grace and the benefits connected with grace. The Son of God came to repair the original construction, and to restore man and his faculties.
Thus the Son of God restored man's mind (He is Truth), his will (He is the Way), and his feelings (He is Life).
Jesus Christ lives in the Christian who is refashioned in the image and likeness of the Triune God; the Christian lives in Jesus Christ in heaven, in Jesus Christ of whom he is a member; and through Christ he will be immersed in the Triune God. All three divine Persons contribute to the blessedness of man and his three faculties. So that this happiness will be complete each faculty will achieve its pinnacle.
It is the beginning of eternal happiness; the way was Jesus Christ; the straight line has reached its goal.
The whole world is a complete exemplar6 of the Triune God.
* * *
Art. 73. At the end of the Novitiate the Novice makes Profession (in the same Novitiate House) of the
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vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty, and fidelity to the Roman Pontiff, to be in force for one year, the prescript of article 68 being observed; when the year of vows has expired, he renews his Profession for a second year in a house designated by the Superiors, and afterwards for the third year or for a longer time if he has not arrived at the age required for perpetual Profession.
Art. 74. At the completion of the three years of temporary vows, a Professed clerical member may be admitted to the perpetual Profession, unless, because of the necessity of a longer period of probation, the time of temporary Profession must be prolonged; this prolongation, however, may not extend for more than three years.
Art. 75. At the expiration of the three years of annual Profession according to the norm of article 73, the Disciples are required to make a new temporary Profession for a two year period. This time can be extended, but not beyond another year, provided the temporary Profession has been duly renewed.
Art. 76. If it is a case of the first temporary Profession, the Superior who is competent in deciding on the admission to the religious Profession is the Superior General with the consent of his Council - the Provincial making the presentation of the candidate after having obtained the consent of his Council. In the case of perpetual Profession, it is the Superior General, having consulted his Council - the Provincial making the presentation after having likewise consulted his Council. If it is a case of renewing or extending other temporary Professions, it is the Provincial Superior having consulted his Council,
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the Superior General having been informed.
Art. 77. For the validity of the religious Profession in the Society it is required that:
1. The candidate have the legitimate age according to the norm of article 79; - 2. A legitimate Superior admit him to the Profession according to the norm of article 76; - 3. A valid Novitiate has been made; - 4. The Profession be made without duress or grave fear or deceit; - 5. The Profession be explicit; - 6. The Profession be received by the major Superior or his legitimate Delegate. In the renewal of vows the Delegate ex officio is the local Superior, who may also subdelegate.
Art. 78. For the validity of the perpetual Profession it is required in addition that it be preceded by a period of three years of temporary Profession. The two year period for Disciples is not required for validity, but it can be dispensed with in whole or in part only by the Holy See.
The immense parish of the world
The whole world (euntes in mundum universum)7 can be likened to an immense parish; the Pope's parish. This is your field, in which the gospel workers continue to sow good seed during
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the light of day; but the prince of error and evil sows weeds in abundance during the hours of darkness. Thus good seed and weeds grow together; until, that is, the dies Domini8 when the angel harvesters will separate the wheat from the weeds. And the separation will be eternal. In the Church militant good and bad are mixed together; in the Church triumphant there will only be the good.
The Pauline Family, inserted in the Church with its apostolate following definitive approval, has the duty of rendering a most humble and devout service to the Pope in his immense parish, joining forces with the gospel sowers with the use of its own technical means. It occupies a place of great responsibility, participating in the mission of the apostles, and carrying out the divine mandate: docete omnes gentes.9
[I wish] to clarify several points in this instruction: What is the task of the Pauline Family? What is its make-up? What means does it use? To whom does it address itself?
The Pauline mission is universal as regards mankind:
It is not a mission for just a group or a sector of mankind as are, for example, social works, migrant groups, the protection of young women, or youth education, to which various praiseworthy institutes dedicate themselves exclusively. Nor is it simply for charitable works, to take care of orphanages, the elderly, the sick and the handicapped, or public elementary schools, or mission work among unbelievers.
Through the use of technical means, our mission is, instead, addressed to some degree to everyone: to every class, condition, age, nation and continent; preferably and realistically to the masses, so as
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to bring to all the message of salvation which is contained in the Bible, in Tradition and in the teaching of the Church.
Our mission is universal as regards the technical means. What is said in the second article of the Constitutions is to be noted: that whatever advancements, by divine disposition, the progressing age shall introduce… be utilized and truly made to serve the glory of God and the salvation of souls in spreading Catholic doctrine. Thus in our time much use is made of filmstrips, records, tape recorders, and so on; as well as the present-day's four most widely-used means: press, movies, radio and television.
Our mission is universal as regards the times: because the Constitutions tell us to use the means required by the circumstances of the times. Thus not just for a century or for a period of history as, for example, the Orders founded to free the Christian slaves of the Turks or those of the Negro slave traders (Mercedarians, Trinitarians, and the like). The military Orders have had their day, as have the Institutes created to aid the plaguestricken. Still, as long as there are people in this world, the Bible began by Moses will be reproduced for every age, in various technical ways to be sure, but right up to the end of the world.
Our mission is universal as regards the object, since it is concerned with christianizing everything: philosophy and art, literature and music, sociology and morals, history and law, governments and the legislature, school and work, and so on. Saint Paul writes: And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if
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there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Phil 4:7-8).
The hand of God upon me
The hand of God has been upon me,10 from 1900 to 1960.11 The Lord's will is accomplished, despite the wretchedness of the one who was to be its unworthy and unsuitable instrument. Both at the outset and along the way everything came from the Tabernacle: light, grace, warnings, strength and vocations. There is something in Mi protendo in avanti:12 but paper conveys what is written on it. However, every priest goes towards two judgements: one by men, the other by God. For the latter, which is the only one that actually counts, I beg everyone to obtain for me in good time the mercy of God; that God to whom in the nobis quoque peccatoribus of the Mass we say, non aestimator meriti, sed veniae quaesumus, largitor admitte13 into the company of the saints.
Before God and man, I feel the gravity of the mission entrusted to me by the Lord who, had he found a person more unworthy and unfit, would have preferred him. Nevertheless, for me and for everyone, this is the guarantee that the Lord has willed and has done everything himself; just like the artist who picks up a paintbrush worth a few coins and is unaware of the work to be executed, were it even a beautiful picture of the Divine Master Jesus Christ.
We are founded on the Church and on the Vicar of Jesus Christ. This is the conviction that gives cause for security, joy and courage.
No matter what: Fr Alberione is the instrument chosen by God for this mission. This is why he worked for God and in accordance with the inspiration and will of God. This is why everything was approved by the highest Authority
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in this world, and why he was followed by so many generous people. As for the future? Fr P. Colin replies: When an institute with its rules has been approved the Superior or the Founder (unfortunate expression) must be obeyed and must demand obedience.
As an individual, instead, Fr Joseph James will present himself at God's judgement with the enormous responsibilities he has faced in life.
It has pleased the Lord to continue to give me the health and the possibility of being able to complete the Pauline Family with the three Secular Institutes begun after the 1957 General Chapter. They are making headway, with Aspirants, Novices and professed members.
Our life began in Jesus Christ and, like Jesus Christ's, it began in the crib: Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. I can assure everyone that everything has been done, only and always, by the light of the Tabernacle and in obedience. The approval then of the Church is an assurance that the Institutions are good, can lead to holiness, and conform to the needs of the times.
The Institutes of the Pauline Family
1. The Pious Society of Saint Paul is made up of priests and brothers; it represents the leadership: Parish Priest, Assistants, Brothers. While each one has his own role, all work together in a close and ordered way. This is the hub from which radiates the spirit, the organization of the various activities, the word of God that enlightens the component parts. It exerts a widespread influence; it consoles and encourages; it points to the way of salvation and holiness; it coordinates and encourages the work of all the parts.
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The overall idea is to impart with technical means what the pastor preaches orally.
The Pious Society of Saint Paul and the other parts of the Family have each their respective government and administration; but the Pious Society of Saint Paul is ALTRICE14 as regards the others.
Before it was started a book entitled Appunti di Teologia Pastorale was published.15 It is a pastoral work.
What we mean by pastoral spirit is to communicate to people the Jesus Christ that he defined in his own words: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is to uplift and sanctify the whole human being - mind, feelings, and will - by way of dogma, morals and worship.
2. The Sisters, in general, characterize the Donna associata allo zelo sacerdotale. This book was also published before 1914,16 which was the year when the first aspirants were assembled and the first small printery opened.
The Daughters of Saint Paul have a parallel apostolate; they use the same technical means, they undertake distribution; their work depends on their situation. Their apostolate is addressed in a special way to women across their whole age range and status in society.
The pastor has his lady catechists who carry out a much appreciated, quite effective and almost indispensable apostolate in educating children.
3. The Pious Disciples of the Divine Master Jesus. They have three roles in the Church and in the Pauline Family. It is to be hoped, therefore, that Divine Providence will supply plenty of vocations. These roles are eucharistic adoration, service or assistance to priests, and liturgical apostolate. In the Pauline Family their Congregation
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goes to the root of the vine to obtain the sap that will nourish the plant so as to produce fruits of holiness and apostolate. This is not only useful, it is a necessity in what we call our parish. Their presence in our vocation houses and religious communities is worth more for their daily two hours of adoration than for their household apostolate.
4. The Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd. These Sisters carry out a direct contact apostolate with people and families; they are the bearers of what the Pious Society of Saint Paul wants such people to have. They do this attending to and undertaking parish works, in accordance with their condition. As angels of light and comfort they have to deal with everyone: from the new-born child to the dying man or woman. They are, as it were, a bridge, a motherly intermediary between the people and the pastor by means of their prayers, works and words of comfort.
That this Institute is answering a need of our times is shown by the many requests from pastors seeking their help. Up to now there have been over one hundred every year.
5. People from all sides have asked me to start institutes for the missions, for studies, for the contemplative life, for charitable works and so on. They would be a repetition. Those who are so inclined will easily find institutions to their liking.
Insistence has come, instead, from our higher Authorities. Since I had worked with Fr Federico Muzzarelli for the setting up of the Pontifical Work for Religious Vocations, a start was made on the Regina
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Apostolorum Institute. It is in its youth, with only a few members, but they are developing well. However, the Vocational Guidance Correspondence Course has been successful, and likewise their little magazine Se vuoi, vieni e seguimi. Their means are prayer, instruction and activities.
6. Secular Institutes. This has been a great step forward in the states of perfection. Previously, in the history of the Church, only Orders were classified as religious. This was the contemplative life. Then, a few centuries ago, the members of many Institutes, of both men and women, took up apostolic activities. Under Leo XIII they were considered to be in a state of perfection. Now the state of perfection extends also to those who are consecrated to God, live under legitimate authority, dedicate themselves to the apostolate in the world, and are guided by a Rule approved by the Church, even though they have no particular habit or material common life. The Apostolic Constitution of Pius XII Provida Mater Ecclesia sanctioned such a state and then it was regulated with its own rules.
There are now three Pauline Secular Institutes: Jesus the Priest, reserved to diocesan priests; Saint Gabriel the Archangel, for men; Our Lady's Annunciation, for women.
The general purpose is always God's glory and the sanctification of the members, through the observance of the three vows of obedience, chastity and poverty, and the ordering of one's life in accordance with a specific Statute. A requirement in the Statute is an imitation of our religious life.
The special end is the apostolate which parallels that of the other
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Pauline institutions, as results from articles 3-4 of the Statute:
Art. 3. The special end consists in exercising the apostolate in the world and cooperating in the particular activities of the Pauline Family. Besides their prayer and good example, members shall:
1. collaborate in the editorial or distribution phase of the Catholic press and, in a special way, of books and magazines of the Pauline Congregations; solicit subscriptions; promote libraries in parishes, homes, schools and places of business; set up distribution centres for good literature; help organize Gospel Days, Bible Weeks, good literature exhibitions, catechetical days, liturgical days, and so on;
2. foster the distribution of good films; publicize and uphold the C.C.C. film classifications; open, operate, or work to increase the number of Catholic film halls, and so on;
3. in countries where it is possible, prepare programs for radio and television, or help Catholic broadcasting stations; support everywhere efforts to make these powerful means instruments of human and Christian formation;
4. commit themselves to atone for the sins committed through the misuse of these modern technical means of communicating human thought: radio, cinema, television, press and shows;
5. organize Eucharistic adoration, give
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assistance to priests, take care of sacred furnishings, foster initiatives for the liturgy;
6. develop and help as much as possible parish and diocesan projects, especially those of an international stamp;
7. pray for the clergy and religious; seek out and assist vocations for the Pauline Family and for the diocesan clergy; promote and foster vocation days and exhibits, as well as others projects in connection with the recruiting of vocations.
Art. 4. The members of the clerical branch, Jesus the Priest, in accordance with their status, shall specifically regard as their first and principal apostolic duty the one assigned to them by the Ordinary of the area. To this end they shall:
1. accept it willingly and in a spirit of obedience;
2. carry it out in a spirit of generosity, following the directives and wishes of the Ordinary;
3. give it up, even at the cost of sacrifice, while accepting a less pleasant duty, if the Ordinary judges it opportune.
It could be that such a duty takes up all their energies and time. In this case it suffices to carry it out to the best of their ability. If, instead, they do have the time and energy, they can add an apostolate of their own, according to their aptitudes and the local and general needs. Among such works are, primarily, the apostolate of the press, cinema, radio and television.
Nonetheless they can also undertake their own apostolates,
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such as social work, catechetical classes, charitable works, and so on.
Members' vows are recognized by the Church; the Institute has its definitive pontifical approval with a Decree of 8 April 1960. They are extern members of the Pious Society of St Paul.
7. Then there is the Union of Pauline Cooperators. These are ordinary Christians who wish to live better lives than many Christians. They are like a Third Order but they cannot be called that since we are not an Order (as are the Benedictines) but a religious Society. They must be started off to practise the virtues (not the vows) of poverty, chastity and obedience, in accordance with their state of life. Thus they will be in harmony with the Pauline apostolic life by their prayers, offerings, and works carried out in the Pauline spirit.
Diversity and unity
These institutions are, as it were, the steering committee, just as in a big parish you have the pastor, assistant pastors, Catholic Action, counsellors for catechetics, the movies and the press; leaders for youth activities, sodalities for men, those in the arts; groups for the sick, vocations, church music, social and political action, charitable works, the conversion of the separated brethren, atheists, unbelievers, and the like.
These Institutes find their link in:
1. their common origin;
2. their general purpose;
3. their same Pauline spirit, albeit in the diversity of their tasks;
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4. their converging, interacting and dynamic activity which is nourished by the one sap.
Who are the parishioners?
The whole plebs Christi; and aliae oves quae non sunt ex ovili et illas oportet ad Christum adducere, et fiet unum ovile et unus Pastor:17 a single parish around a single pulpit, the Pope; around a single table, the Eucharist; around a single authority; all conformes imagini Filii Dei; haeredes Dei, cohaeredes Christi.18
Three practical principles:
1. The various institutions of the Pauline Family will draw nourishment and vitality from the Pious Society of Saint Paul. The more fervent the latter, the more so will be the other parts.
2. What counts today, more so than in times past, is organization, especially at international level, in every sector and in a particular way for the apostolate. Be more 'catholic' [universal] as beloved sons and daughters of the Catholic Church. Be united for the apostolate.
3. Mutual understanding and love: Congregavit nos amor Christi unus;19 mutual exchange of prayer and help. Individual selfishness destroys community life; social, political and familial selfishness can even destroy institutes, or at least condemn them to impotence.
Let there be, at all times, the Divine Master's prayer ut unum sint.20 It is to be focused not on one institute alone but experienced throughout the whole Pauline parish whose confines are the world's bounds and whose flock is just as much those who are already in the fold as those we wish to lead there.
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The army of Religious
The Holy See has communities of religious at its service for works of general interest. The great vision is to have an ever more numerous army, ever more spiritually and scien-tifically trained, ever more closely joined to the Vicar of Je-sus Christ, ever more prompt to respond to a call, ever more tenacious in carrying out the work given to the institute within the framework of its particular goals… We spend our lives well when we serve the Church, the Pope, and Jesus Christ in this way. Jesus Christ is the author, comfort, model and reward of religious. Our affection for the Pope, our sub-mission and dedication to him testify to everything: we are the Pope's, so as to be Jesus Christ's, so as to be God's.
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1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God” (Jn 1:1).
2 “Outside” (of the intratrinitarian life itself).
3 “Through whom all things were made.”
4 “He was at the same time creating nature and infusing grace.”
5 “Changed for the worse.”
6 Exemplar. Cf. E. DUBOIS, De Exemplarismo Divino seu doctrina de trino Ordine exemplari et de trino rerum omnium ordine exemplato, Typis Societatis sancti Johannis Evangelistae, Desclée, Lefebvre et Soc. Pont. Edit. 1897; E. DUBOIS, De Exemplarismo Divino seu doctrina de trino Ordine exemplari et de trino rerum omnium ordine exemplato, in quo fundatur speculativa et practica Encyclopaedia Scientiarum, Artium et Virtutum, Cuggiani, Romae, t. I, 1899; t. II, 1899; t. III, 1900; t. IV, 1900. In a “Study Outline on Jesus Master”, published in the August-September 1959 issue of San Paolo (CISP 1230-1237), Fr Alberione had already espoused this teaching of Dubois' Trinitarian Exemplarism. Along the same lines was a project concerning an encyclopedia (cf. T. DRAGONE, Maestro Via Verità e Vita, 3 volumes, Edizioni Paoline, Ostia Lido [Rome], 1961-1964). In UPS cf. II, 150ff.
7 “Going into all the world” (cf. Mk 16:15).
8 “The day of the Lord” (Judgement Day).
9 “Teach all nations” (cf. Mt 28:19).
10 A profound expression of a special assistance on God's part, recurring in the prophets and psalms; frequent in Ezekiel (from 1:3 onwards). In Fr Alberione it indicates an awareness of his charismatic vocation.
11 For a personal history of Fr Alberione, at least until the 1950s, see also SAC. GIACOMO ALBERIONE, Abundantes divitiae gratiae suae. Storia carismatica della Famiglia Paolina. Text and notes edited by Fr Giuseppe Barbero ssp. [Rome] Edizioni Paoline, 1971, 164 p., 19.5 cm. (hardbound). [English version, FSP Boston]. It corresponds to the work entitled Io sono con voi. Two successive drafts of the original notes have come down to us: one manuscript and the other typewritten. This second appeared in Io sono con voi but, according to Fr Barbero (Foreword, p. 7), this was a “rushed and quite defective” edition. The title, which is a key to the reading of the work, comes from Saint Paul (Eph 2:7). - A further critical and enlarged edition of Abundantes divitiae was published, (ed.) E. Pasotti and L. Giovannini, E.P. 1985, 272 p. [English version, FSP Boston].
12 For this expression of Saint Paul cf. Phil 3:13-16. Instead, for the book, see: Vv. Aa., Mi protendo in avanti. Ed. Paoline 1954; 571 p. + illus., 24 cm. This work was published to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Pious Society of Saint Paul Institute and the 70th birthday of the Founder. [The unpublished passages - except for the first three - are to be found in the article by Fr Federico Muzzarelli, “Ad pedes Petri”, pp. 493-566]. - On p. 106: In a letter to the bishop of Alba, Fr Alberione summarizes the stages of his foundation (21/11/1921); - p. 121: ReReport to the Holy See on the profession of first vows and the Constitution of the Pious Society of Saint Paul (23/11/1921) (cf. G. Rocca, La formazione della Pia Soc. S. Paolo, doc. n. 31, p. 568f.); - pp. 138f.: Letter program sent to the first two Pauline missionaries, Fr Saverio Boano and Fr Benedetto Trosso, who had set out for South America (Alba, 4/8/1931); - pp. 408-410: The Prima Maestra (Thecla Merlo) (cf. Abundantes divitiae 1985, pp. 159-162); - pp. 504f.: Letter to Cardinal Laurenti on the purpose of the PSSP (no date. Cf. Rocca, o.c., n. 42, pp. 591f.); - p. 506ff.: Letter, with attached sheets, sent to the Congregation of Religious, on the nature of the PSSP (14/1/1923); - p. 509: Declaration concerning the goods of the PSSP (26/1/1923); - p. 513: Three letters to Fr Timothy Giaccardo who, in Rome, was pursuing the practices for the approval of the Institute (14, 18, and 26 April 1926); - pp. 514f.: An appeal addressed to the Holy Father to obtain the approval of the Institute (10/5/1926); - p. 518: Formula of Profession and proceedings of erection of the PSSP (13 and 14/3/1927); - pp. 521f.: Draft of the Rule of the Daughters [of Saint Paul] (1916); - p. 522: Report to the Holy See on the transfer to Susa of a part of the Daughters [of Saint Paul] (31.12.1921); - p. 533: Letter to Bishop Ermenegildo Pasetto, new Secretary of the Congregation of Religious (29/12/1935); - p. 545: Letter to Bishop Pasetto regarding the Pious Disciples (27/8/1946); - p. 547: Letter to the Holy Father on the Pious Disciples (22/2/1947); - pp. 553f.: Letter to Cardinal Giuseppe Pizzardo for the approval of the Pastorelle Sisters (10/6/1953); - pp. 561f.: Letter to the Congregation of Religious regarding the Cooperators Union (January 1923); - p. 562: Notification to the Cardinal Vicar of the transfer to Rome of the Cooperators Union (March 1937). In UPS, cf. II:12.
13 “To us sinners, also… Admit us into the company of the saints not through our merits but through the richness of your pardon” (Missale Romanum, Ordo Missae: “Nobis quoque…”).
14 The term “altrice” applied to the Society of Saint Paul in reference to the Pauline Family appears for the first time in 1953, in the San Paolo bulletin, in an article by Fr Alberione, “Towards a social conscience”, and thus in the context of a sociological, religious and ecclesiological discourse. Cf. San Paolo, November 1953 (CISP 1069f.); cf. also Abundantes divitiae, nn. 25, 33-35 (of 1953). “Altrice”, from the Latin, is rare in Italian and used poetically. Cf. S. Battaglia, Grande dizionario della lingua italiana, Turin, UTET, 1961: “Altrice”, noun, feminine, poetic. Nourisher, nurse; generatrix, mother (in a translated sense). Cf. also paper by F. Pierini “Ruolo della Società San Paolo 'altrice' della Famiglia Paolina secondo Don Alberione” in Il Ministero dell'unità nella Famiglia Paolina (5th Meeting of the General Governments, Ariccia, 12-20 September 1987), Rome 1987, pp. 135-159, and the concluding document (“Concetto e funzione di 'altrice' nella Famiglia Paolina oggi”) on pp. 161-165.
15 G. ALBERIONE, Appunti di teologia pastorale. Turin, lit. Viretto, 1912; xiv, 484 p., 25 cm. - First edition typewritten photostat printing. In the Foreword (To the Reader) the Author himself sets out the origin of this book: “In the 1911-12 scholastic year thought was given to set down some practical suggestions of pastoral theology for the Students of the second year of moral conferences in our seminary. The aim was to set out for them some practical suggestions on how best to make use of their prayer life, knowledge, and zeal for the benefit of people's souls. They themselves had forwarded the request. However, since the person who was to do this lacked that practical knowledge which in these matters is better than any teacher, he turned to and picked the brains of some eighteen of the more zealous and senior pastors of the diocese. He examined a number of tracts of pastoral theology, as well as booklets, magazines and newspaper articles regarding this subject. A number of other priests helped him to collect the material, select items, catalogue and correct them… The summary of these notes is now published for three reasons: to comply with the advice and wish of many good people; to give the young priests who graduate from the seminary each year a remembrance of the priestly instruction they received; to solicit from the priest-specialists who read this book any observations, corrections, and additions they deem necessary” (Alba, 1 August 1912). Its rich and vast content matter, its clear and simple style, the unction which impregnates it, all help to merit it every praise. It is divided into three parts: Basis of Zeal, Practice of Zeal, Works of Zeal. The first part includes further useful teachings regarding prayer life, the priest's knowledge, followed by an appendix regarding the care of temporal goods. The second part deals with the pastoral action of various people: vicar forane, pastor, chaplain, teachers. Interesting too are the norms that regulate relations between pastors and different people: neighboring pastors, assistant pastors, chaplains, teachers, officials, relatives, hired help, the sacristan, the sick, families in general, sisters, the kindergarten, the hospital, the doctor, municipal authorities, enemies. The third part deals with particular works based on a priest's fervor and here there is a wealth of suggestions and lively considerations. Very useful are the observations regarding forms of preaching: instructions and meditations, spiritual exercises, gospel explanations, as likewise on certain particular subjects as dancing, amusements, and the like… Quite original is the part regarding the Catechism and the preparation of catechists, as likewise that of the principal devotions to be promoted. Catholic Action is given a clear and summary treatment, as regards both its general principles and its particular projects: tasks relative to the question of education, male and female oratories, schools of religion, evening and winter schools; mobile libraries, culture circles, leagues against obscene language and blasphemy, and the like. To round off there are three quite original chapters on vocations, organizing feast days, and church building. This book was a handbook for the clergy. Above all it bears the inestimable mark of practicality.
16 TEOL. G. ALBERIONE, La donna associata allo zelo sacerdotale (Per il clero e per la donna). Alba, Scuola Tipografica “Piccolo Operaio”, 1915; 342 [1] pages, 18.5 cm., L. 2.50. On page [7] the Dedication: To Mary, an ardent woman's loftiest ideal, and counsellor of apostolic zeal. On pages 9-11: A few introductory words: “I was quite struck by these words which Bishop Mermillod addressed to women and young girls: - You have a mission to fulfil in the world: to look after a family, to edify society, to serve and console the Church. You have to be apostles. - Reflecting on these words I experienced their profound truth and I have attempted to instil something of this belief in these pages, in order to communicate them to priests and to women. Alba” (Feast of Mary, the Immaculate Virgin). In Abundantes divitiae gratiae suae (n. 109), Fr Alberione states that he had started drafting the book in 1911. At the end of the book there is the imprimatur. There follows the approval of Abbot Molino. Contents: Part I: Women can and must be trained as helpers for zealous priests. Part II: The works women can undertake in our time to assist zealous priests. Part III: Training and direction of women in their mission. There follows a “Final advice” (a couple of ideas for an examination of conscience). It is one of the more original works of Fr Alberione. It was translated into other languages. In Italy it had the following editions: 2° in 1925; 3° and 4° were probably only reprints; 5° in 1928, Alba; 6° in 1932, Alba; 7° in 1937, Alba; 8° in 1940, Alba; 9° in 1954, Albano. Up to 1937 the text remained unchanged. One or two Daughters of Saint Paul, appointed by the Author, made corrections and variations to the eighth edition; as well, a scripture verse was added at the beginning of the 29 chapters, while, at the conclusion of each there was a biographical example entitled In margine alla storia [On the fringes of history]. The preparation of the ninth edition was entrusted by Fr Alberione to Sr Cecilia Calabresi fsp. This edition was considerably reworked. Following the express request of Fr Alberione many passages regarding women, taken from the writings and messages of Pius XI and especially of Pius XII were introduced. As regards the uptodateness of this work Fr Alberione himself, in a handwritten note (1/8/1966), humbly recognized the need to bear in mind the present times and Vatican Council II. “The principles are always from Scripture and Tradition; whereas their applications to the present times must be made wisely, in accordance with the age, place and social conditions” (cf. CISP 1284). A course of further study, dedicated to this work and its present-day implications, was undertaken by the Centre of Pauline Spirituality with the help of five specialists (Ariccia, Divine Master House, 20-27 September 1992). The result was a stimulating book: Donne e uomini a servizio del Vangelo, Rome, 1993, 259 pages. The Secretariat of Spirituality, FSP General House, published a booklet entitled La donna nel pensiero di G. Alberione e di Giovanni Paolo II, Rome, 1990, 80 pages.
17 “The people of Christ” and “other sheep that are not of this fold: they also need to be led to Christ, and there will be one fold and one Shepherd” (cf. Jn 10:16).
18 “Conformed to the image of his Son, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:29; 8:17).
19 “The sole love of Christ has brought us together.”
20 “That they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).