The Daughters of St. Paul: 109 Years of Spreading Light Through Media
In 2024, the Daughters of St. Paul, also known as the Media Sisters, will be celebrating 109 years of dedicated service. Following the vision of their founders, Blessed James Alberione and Sr. Tecla Merlo, these sisters have been exemplifying the teachings of Christ in the modern world.
Written By Sr. Roselyne Wambani Wafula, fsp
Blessed James Alberione was a visionary who recognized the power of media even in the early 20th century. He understood the influence of the press and emerging technologies in shaping public opinion, and saw an opportunity to utilize these tools for good. Alongside him, Mother Thecla Merlo became the first Superior General of the congregation, standing as a beacon of leadership and faith.
Inspired by the tireless communication of the Apostle Paul, Alberione founded the Society of St. Paul Missionaries and the Daughters of St. Paul in Italy in 1915. Their mission: to use all available forms of social communication to spread the message of Christ to the world.
Following Blessed Alberione’s words, “You must be St. Paul living today,” the Daughters of St. Paul strive to embody this spirit in all their undertakings.
A Spirituality Rooted in Christ, Inspired by St. Paul and Mary
The spirituality of the Daughters of St. Paul centers around their devotion to Jesus Christ, drawing inspiration from the teachings of St. Paul and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles. Daily Mass and adoration are integral components of their spirituality, providing them with the strength to carry out their mission.
Operating book and media centers worldwide, the Daughters of St. Paul create spaces for people to engage with faith resources and have meaningful conversations. These centers, each equipped with an Adoration chapel, serve as beacons of light and truth in their communities.
“From prayer comes the mission, and from mission we draw strength from prayer,” emphasizes the congregation’s website, highlighting the significance of prayer in their work.
Prayer, apostolate, study, and community life form the pillars of their vocation, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the modern world and effectively share the Gospel through various media platforms.
Celebrating Growth and New Beginnings
June holds special significance for the Daughters of St. Paul, as they commemorate Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 and celebrate the Solemnity of St. Paul as a congregation on June 30. This past June, several sisters marked significant religious anniversaries, with some celebrating their 25th, 50th, and 60th jubilees.
The month was particularly joyous as a sister from Argentina professed her Perpetual Profession, while nine young women from Africa and Asia made their First profession on June 30, invoking God’s grace upon their vocations.
Witnessing and Inspiring
Prior to their Perpetual Profession, the Daughters of St. Paul engage in various activities to raise awareness about their congregation and inspire young women to consider a life devoted to religious service.
An Adapting and Innovating Congregation
The recent restyling of the Pauline Books and Media logo, along with a new logo for the congregation, reflects the sisters’ commitment to embracing change and responding to the evolving media landscape. Sister Anna Caiazza, the Superior General, encourages the sisters to see change as an opportunity for growth, emphasizing their role as innovators in the contemporary world.
Marking their 109th anniversary, the Daughters of St. Paul introduced “scrollytelling,” a new digital storytelling tool that incorporates text, images, videos, and audio to create immersive experiences, catering to the demands of today’s audiences. This initiative was lauded by Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect for the Dicastery for Communication, for its modern approach in spreading the message of Christ.
Sr. Caiazza acknowledged the global reach of the congregation, present in over 50 countries and on all continents, and expressed gratitude for the vocations within the congregation and the Church as a whole.
