VATICAN CITY, OCT. 4, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged the members of the Pauline religious family and their collaborators to proclaim the Gospel through the media, in line with their charism.
In an audience on Saturday in the Vatican, the Pope expressed his appreciation for the services provided by St. Paul’s Society, headed by its superior general, Father Silvio Sassi, inviting them to follow the example and teachings of their founder, Blessed Giacomo Alberione.
«Your vanguard apostolate, in a broad and complex field, offers many opportunities and entails, at the same time, not a few problems,» the Holy Father said in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace.
«It is an activity that calls for preparation, specific competencies and constant updating, if you are to respond effectively to the challenges of the present-day world, perceived increasingly as ‘global village,'» Benedict XVI added.
However, to proclaim the Gospel one also needs a «firm personal adherence to the Divine Teacher,» noted the Bishop of Rome, recalling Don Alberione’s particular attention to the Eucharist, listening to the Word and prayer.
Interior life
«Enamored of God as Don Alberione was, he asked his disciples, priests and lay people to cultivate a robust interior life, rich in balance and discernment,» the Pope recalled.
«To all he presented the Apostle Paul as model, who in the Areopagus of Athens, led by the Holy Spirit, was able to adapt his proclamation to the cultural context in which he found himself, but at the same time he did not cease to present with courageous frankness the absolute novelty that is Christ,» added the Holy Father.
«May each one of you make his own the spirit and style that characterized the Apostle of the Gentiles, updating the missionary endeavor in our postmodern age, […] sharing with the Successor of Peter and the pastors of the particular Churches the incessant yearning to make the Redeemer’s salvific message reach the hearts of so many of our contemporaries,» Benedict XVI concluded.
The Pauline family, founded by Blessed Alberione, is made up of a men’s religious congregation — St. Paul’s Society — and four congregations of women — the Daughters of St. Paul, Disciples of the Divine Master, Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd, and Sisters of Mary Queen of Apostles.
In addition, it has four affiliated institutes: Jesus Priest, St. Gabriel Archangel, Mary Most Holy Annunciation and Holy Family. It also has the Association of Pauline Cooperators.
The Pauline family boasts 18,000 members, distributed in 673 communities scattered over 62 nations. Their apostolic work includes managing bookstores, promoting the liturgy, vocations, education and mass media.
The Pauline family publishes 87 newspapers and magazines, including the Italian weekly Famiglia Cristiana.
