PAULINES

PAULINES

By Daughters of St. Paul | Phil-Malaysia- PNG-Thai ProvinceReligion & SpiritualityReligion
Download on the App Store

PAULINES episodes

  • Mabuting Balita l Agosto 4, 2023 – Biyernes

    Mabuting Balita l Agosto 4, 2023 – Biyernes

    Biyernes sa Ika-17 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon

    San Juan Maria Vianney, pari

    Ebanghelyo:Mt 13:54-58

     Pumunta si Hesus sa kanyang bayan at nagturo sa mga tao sa kanilang sinagoga. Namangha silang lahat at nagsabi: “Saan kaya galing ang kanyang karunungan at natatanging kapangyarihan? Hindi ba’t siya ang anak ng karpintero? Hindi ba’t si Maria ang kanyang ina at sina Jose, Jaime, Simon at Judas ang kanyang mga kapatid? Hindi ba’t narito sa

    piling natin ang kanyang mga kapatid na babae? Ano’t nangyari sa kanya ang lahat ng ito?” At bulag sila tungkol sa kanya. Sinabi naman sa kanila ni Hesus: “Sa kanyang sariling bayan lamang at sambahayan hinahamak ang isang propeta.” At kaunti lamang ang kanyang ginawang himala roon sapagkat kulang sila sa pananampalataya.

    Pagninilay:

    Marami tayong nababasa o nababalitaan sa social media na mga

    inspiring stories tungkol sa mga karaniwang tao, na naging matagumpay sa buhay.  Katulad ng janitor na nagtapos ng pagka-abogado; o iyong security guard, na nagtapos ng pagka-guro sa mismong kolehiyong pinagtatrabahuhan niya.  Malamang, hindi tayo makapaniwala na ang isang janitor o security guard – matagumpay na makapagtatapos sa kolehiyo, at pagka-abogado pa! Lalo na siguro yung mga kasamahan nila sa trabaho at mga kapitbahay!  Normal po ang reaksiyon na ganito, tulad ng narinig natin sa Mabuting Balita.  Ang nakita ng mga taga-Nazaret – ang background ni Hesus. Hindi nila matanggap, na may kakaibang kakayahan at kapangyarihan si Hesus. Para sa kanila, kilalang-kilala
    nila kung sino siya, at nagmamagaling lang siya.  Mga kapanalig, bawat isa sa atin, pinagkalooban ng katangi-tanging galing at kakayahan. Minsan, dahil sa kahirapan o kawalan ng pagkakataon, nananatili itong nakatago. Pero madalas, hindi lumalabas ang ating galing, dahil walang gustong maniwala at magtiwala sa atin. Gaya ng mga kababayan ni Hesus, nagiging bulag sa ating tunay na pagkatao ang mga taong mas malapit sa atin. Nakalulungkot mang isipin pero ito ang katotohanan.  Kapanalig, sino ang pwede mong i-encourage o i-affirm ngayong araw na ito? Ipakita mo ang simpatiya at tiwala, sa isang nagsisikap na
    mapabuti ang buhay. Baka iyon lang ang kailangan niya upang lubusang magbago, o magpakita ng natatagong galing.  Manalangin tayo:  Panginoon, makita ko nawa ang posibilidad o kabutihan na maaaring magawa at makamit ng aking kapwa. Huwag ko sanang ipagkait ang aking tiwala sa kanyang kakayahan. Amen.

     

    - Fr. Eugene Hechanova – Archdiocese of Lipa

    5 min
  • Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. John Mary Vianney, Patron Saint of all Parish Priests | August 4

    Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. John Mary Vianney, Patron Saint of all Parish Priests | August 4

     



    In our study of world history, we heard about the French Revolution. Our saint for today was born three years before the outbreak of the French Revolution. So his life was very much affected by this event. St. John Vianney or Jean-Baptiste-Marie-Vianney was born from a pious farm family in Dardilly, France on May 8, 1786. When he was a kid, the family would travel to distant farms where the priests, who were hiding, celebrated Mass. Many priests and nuns were killed and the young boy admired them for their courage and heroism, and dreamed to become a priest himself. At eight, he was given the charge to lead their family cows and sheep into the fields. While the animals were grazing, he

    would take time to pray, sometimes aloud, many times in silence. He was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin and to St. Philomena. At age 13, he was able to make his First Communion, from two nuns who were hiding in the kitchen of a farm house. The Revolution ended in 1799 and in 1802, the Catholic Church was re-established by Napoleon Bonaparte. John was 16 years old and he was thinking of his priestly vocation. He went to the nearby village to study, but his studies was interrupted when he was drafted into Napoleon’s army to fight against Spain. However,
    two days before the army left, he got sick and was hospitalized and was left behind by his unit. After being released from the hospital, he was sent to another unit to join the battle. But, miraculously, a young man came to him and led him to a mountain where many soldiers who deserted the army were hiding. He lived in that place for 14 months and had much time to pray and make penances. In 1812, an amnesty was granted to the deserters and he was able to go back to where he was studying. In 1813, he went to the major seminary. John Vianney was
    a slow learner and was sent for tutoring to Abbe’ Balley, who convinced the seminary Rector that his piety is more than enough to compensate for his poor intelligence. He was ordained priest on August 12, 1815 and became assistant to Abbe’ Balley in Ecully. He was afterwards assigned as parish priest of an obscure village called Ars, and it was here where he exercised his priesthood in converting people and bringing them closer to God. He encouraged people to confess and he spent 11-16 hours in the confessional. Due to his piety, penances and zeal in saving souls, the devil was said to have attacked him by burning his bed, throwing raw potatoes at him, and often disturbing his sleep. He intensified his prayers and mortifications and the Lord protected
    him. In 1827 he was already known as a holy priest so, people from all over Europe began to travel to Ars to confess to him. In a period of 30 years, it was recorded that 20,000 pilgrims came to Ars every year. He wanted very much a solitary life, so he run away from Ars to become a monk, but he was persuaded to return. In 1859, he died at the age of 73. The Bishop presided over his funeral, 300 priests came, and 6,000 people were in attendance. He was beatified in 1905, was canonized on May 31, 1925, and became popularly known as the CURE’ OF ARS. In 1929, he was proclaimed Patron of Parish Priests and of all Priests.

    Virtue: piety, courage, humility, sweetness, generousity

    Prayer: Let us try to be good, avoid displeasing God, and often pray with St. John Vianney: “I love You, my God, and my only desire is to love you until the last breath of life. Amen.”

    Reflection: Do I give the due respect to priests, pray for them and follow their guidance?

    6 min
  • A Thought A Day | August 4 2023

    A Thought A Day | August 4 2023

    You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp
    This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our
    mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and
    images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A
    DAY”.
    #pray #withme #gospel #reflection
    #Paulines #DaughtersOfStPaul #GospelPower #aThoughtaDay
    For more spiritual nourishment please visit: https://store.paulines.ph/
    HELP US MAINTAIN THIS PROGRAM
    Send your donations and love offerings to:
    G-CASH: 09686313280
    METROBANK (Dollar Account)
    BRANCH: Skyland Plaza, Makati
    ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc.
    ACCOUNT NUMBER: 514-2-51400590-1
    SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
    METROBANK (Peso Account)
    BRANCH: Skyland Plaza, Makati
    ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc.
    ACCOUNT NUMBER: 514-3-51430769-6
    SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
    BDO (BRANCH: Leveriza-Libertad)
    ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc.
    ACCOUNT NUMBER: 002620011465


    7 min
  • A Thought A Day | August 3 2023

    A Thought A Day | August 3 2023

    You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp

    This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A DAY”.

    #pray #withme #gospel #reflection #Paulines #DaughtersOfStPaul #GospelPower #aThoughtaDay

    For more spiritual nourishment please visit: https://store.paulines.ph/ HELP US MAINTAIN THIS PROGRAM Send your donations and love offerings to: G-CASH: 09686313280 METROBANK (Dollar Account) BRANCH: Skyland Plaza, Makati ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc. ACCOUNT NUMBER: 514-2-51400590-1 SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM METROBANK (Peso Account) BRANCH: Skyland Plaza, Makati ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc. ACCOUNT NUMBER: 514-3-51430769-6 SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM BDO (BRANCH: Leveriza-Libertad) ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc. ACCOUNT NUMBER: 002620011465

    7 min
  • Mabuting Balita l Agosto 3, 2023 – Huwebes

    Mabuting Balita l Agosto 3, 2023 – Huwebes

    Ika-17 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon

    San Pedro de Anagni


    Ebanghelyo: MATEO 13:47-53

    Sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: “Naihahambing din ang Kaharian ng Langit sa isang malaking lambat na inihagis sa dagat at nakahuli ng kung anu-ano. Nang puno na ang lambat, hinila ito papunta sa pampang. At saka naupo ang mga tao at tinipon ang mabubuting isda sa mga timba

    at itinapon ang mga walang kuwenta. Ganito rin ang mangyayari sa katapusan ng mundo. Lalabas ang mga anghel para ihiwalay ang masasama sa mabubuti; at itatapon sila sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pagngangalit ng mga ngipin. Nauunawaan n’yo ba ang lahat ng ito?” “Opo.” Kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Kaya bawat guro ng Batas na tinuruan tungkol sa Kaharian ay katulad ng isang ama ng tahanan na may tabihan, at laging may bago at luma sa tuwing
    kukuha siya.” Nang matapos ni Hesus ang mga talinghagang ito, umalis siya sa lugar na iyon.

     

    Pagninilay:

    Mga kapanalig, madaling maunawaan at maintindihan ng mga mangingisda ang pagbasang ating narinig. Alam nila kung ano ang isdang maaaring ibenta o kainin, at alam nila ang isdang itatapon, dahil hindi ito maaaring ibenta o kainin. Ito ang talinghaga na ginamit

    ng ating Panginoong Hesus, upang ipaalam sa ating lahat, na darating ang panahon na tayo'y hahatulan. Paghihiwalayin ang taong gumawa ng mabuti, at taong gumawa ng masama. Mga kapanalig ang mga pagbasa na inihahatid sa atin araw- araw tulad ng Mabuting Balita, ay isang tulong at gabay. Harinawang patuloy tayong paliwanagan ng Banal na Espiritu, na maunawaan at maisabuhay ang mga aral ng Mabuting Balita upang magkaroon tayo ng pagkakataong makasama ng ating Panginoong Hesus pagkatapos ng maikling buhay natin dito sa mundo. Nauunawaan ko po at karanasan din, na hindi madali ang magpakabuti, maraming tukso at hamon ang buhay. Idalangin natin at magtiwala tayo sa ating Panginoong Hesus. Siya lamang ang nakababasa ang ating puso at isipan. Ang Diyos lamang ang
    huhusga sa atin. Mga kapanalig, manalig tayo na ang Diyos ay pag-ibig. Ang kanyang hatol ay hatol ng pag-ibig. Kapag naranasan natin ng personal na pag-ibig ng Diyos, maluluha tayo, kung masasaktan natin Siya. Marami ang nagsasabing, life is short. Kung maikli ang buhay, harinawang pawang kabutihan na lamang ang sikapin nating gawin, upang ang pangakong langit, ating kamtin. Amen.

    -Sr. Edith Ledda, fsp l Daughters of St. Paul

    5 min
  • Mabuting Balita l Agosto 20, 2023 – Linggo

    Mabuting Balita l Agosto 20, 2023 – Linggo

    Ika – 20 Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon

    Ebanghelyo: Mt 15:21-28

    Pumunta si Hesus sa gawing Tiro at Sidon. May isang babaeng Kananea noon na nagpunta sa dakong iyon at sumigaw: “Panginoon, anak ni David maawa ka sa akin! Pinahihirapan ng isang demonyo ang anak kong babae.” Ngunit hindi siya tinugon ni Hesus kaya lumapit ang kanyang

    mga alagad at hiniling ng mga ito. “Paalisin mo na siya’t sigaw s’ya nang sigaw sa likod natin.” “Sa nawawalang tupa ng bayan ng Israel ako sinugo.” Ngunit lumapit ang babae at lumuhod sa harap ni Hesus at sinabi: “Ginoo, tulungan mo ako!”   “Hindi tama na kunin ang tinapay
    sa mga bata at itapon ito sa mga tuta.” “Totoo nga, Ginoo, pero kinakain naman ng mga tuta ang mga nalalaglag mula sa hapag ng kanilang mga amo.” “Babae, napakalaki ng iyon pananalig! Maganap sa iyo ayon sa nais mo.” At nang oras ding iyon, gumaling ang kanyang anak.

     

    Pagninilay:

    Sa ating Mabuting Balita ngayon, napakinggan natin ang pagtatagpo ni Hesus at ng isang babaeng Canaanita.  Bagamat siya’y hindi Judio, ipinahayag ng babae ang kanyang pananampalataya kay

    Hesus, na nauwi sa paggaling ng kanyang anak. Ang kwentong ito ay paalala sa atin na ang Diyos ay hindi nagdi-discriminate batay sa lahi, uri, o katayuan sa lipunan. Ang kanyang biyaya at kaligtasan ay para sa lahat ng mga taong may pananalig at pagtitiwala sa kanya. 

    Mga kapanalig, napakahalaga ng pananalig at pagtitiwala na

    ipinakita ng babaeng Canaanita.  Inaanyayahan tayo ngayon na tumulad sa kanya.  Kailangan nating patatagin ang ating pananalig at pagtitiwala sa Diyos.  Kailan ba natin masasabing tayo ay nananalig?  Kailan ba
    natin masasabing tayo ay nagtitiwala? Nagpapakita tayo ng pananalig at
    pagtitiwala kapag sa kabila ng maraming pagsubok ay isinasalalay pa rin natin ang ating buhay sa kamay ng Diyos at sinasabi natin, “Hindi ako pababayaan ng Diyos!” “Hindi natutulog ang Diyos!”  Tandaan natin:  Ang pananalig at pagtitiwala ay hindi lamang pananampalataya ng puso.  Ang pananalig at pagtitiwala ay ang puso ng pananampalataya!  Amen.

     

    - Fr. Rolly Garcia Jr. – Director of Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Manila

     

     

    5 min
  • Mabuting Balita l Agosto 2, 2023 – Miyerkules

    Mabuting Balita l Agosto 2, 2023

    Miyerkules sa Ika-17 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon

    San Eusebio de Vercelli, Obispo San Pedro Julian Eymard, pari

    Ebanghelyo: Mt 13:44–46

    Sinabi ni Hesus sa mga tao: “Naihahambing ang kaharian ng Langit sa kayamanang nakatago sa isang bukid. Kung may makakakita nito, ibabaon niya ito uli; at dahil sa kanyang kaligayahan, ipinagbibili niya ang lahat niyang ari-arian, at binibili niya ang bukid. Naihahambing din naman ang kaharian ng Langit sa isang negosyanteng naghahanap

    ng magagandang perlas. Pagkakita niya ng isang perlas na napakalaki ang halaga, umalis siya at ipinagbili ang lahat niyang ari-arian at binili ang perlas.


    Pagninilay:

    May kuwento tungkol sa isang mahusay at kilalang engineer. Carlos ang kanyang pangalan. Matalino, guwapo at mabuting tao si Carlos, at tinitingala siya ng mga kaibigan at mga katrabaho. Para kasing nasa kanya na ang lahat: magandang pamilya, mataas ang sweldo,

    mabait na kasintahan, may sariling bahay, mga latest gadgets, etc. Isang araw, hindi alam ni Carlos kung bakit siya nagpunta sa simbahan. Parang may nag-akay sa kanya pagpasok doon. Habang binabasa ng pari ang ebanghelyo ni San Markos 8:36: “Ano ang mapapakinabang ng tao na makamtan ang buong sanlibutan, at mapahamak ang kanyang buhay?” Nagulat si Carlos sa narinig at nanatili siyang nananalangin. “Ano nga ba ang saysay ng lahat ng meron ako?” tanong niya sa sarili. “Is this all there is to life?”  Isang taon siyang nanalangin, nagtanong, sumangguni sa mga taong makakatulong sa kanyang magpasya at humanap ng bokasyon niya. Makalipas ang isang taong paghahanap sa kahulugan ng buhay, napagtanto niyang tinatawag siya ng Diyos, at magiging lubos lamang siyang maligaya kung susundin niya ang kanyang bokasyon. Tinalikuran ni Carlos ang lahat, at pumasok siya sa seminaryo. Tulad ng tao sa ebanghelyo natin sa araw na ito, natagpuan ni Carlos ang Diyos at iniwan niya ang lahat ng kanyang ari-arian upang makamit ang
    kaharian ng langit.  Ikaw kapatid, may kailangan ka bang i-give up para lubusan kang maging masaya? O upang maging ganap ang iyong pagsunod sa Panginoon? Huwag kang mangamba, at alalahanin mong lagi, tanging ang iyong kasiyahan at kabutihan ang nais ng Diyos para sa iyo.  Panginoon, salamat sa lahat ng iyong mga biyaya. Buksan mo po ang aking puso at mga kamay upang matagpuan ko ang kaligayahan sa pag-aalay ng lahat sa iyo. Amen.

    5 min
  • A Thought A Day | August 2 2023

    A Thought A Day | August 2 2023

    You are listening to the daily gospel reflections with Sr. Cloth, fsp
    This podcast is brought to you by the Paulines Multimedia. It is our
    mission to Bring the WORD of GOD to all peoples, through sounds and
    images, voices and music. Come and join us as we share “A THOUGHT A
    DAY”.
    #pray #withme #gospel #reflection
    #Paulines #DaughtersOfStPaul #GospelPower #aThoughtaDay
    For more spiritual nourishment please visit: https://store.paulines.ph/
    HELP US MAINTAIN THIS PROGRAM
    Send your donations and love offerings to:
    G-CASH: 09686313280
    METROBANK (Dollar Account)
    BRANCH: Skyland Plaza, Makati
    ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc.
    ACCOUNT NUMBER: 514-2-51400590-1
    SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
    METROBANK (Peso Account)
    BRANCH: Skyland Plaza, Makati
    ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc.
    ACCOUNT NUMBER: 514-3-51430769-6
    SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
    BDO (BRANCH: Leveriza-Libertad)
    ACCOUNT NAME: The Provincial Superior of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul, Inc.
    ACCOUNT NUMBER: 002620011465


    6 min
  • Mabuting Balita l Agosto 1, 2023 – Martes

    Mabuting Balita l Agosto 1, 2023

    Martes sa Ika-17 Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon

    San Alfonso Maria Liguorio, Obispo at pantas ng Simbahan

    Ebanghelyo: Mt 13:36-43

    Pinaalis ni Hesus ang mga tao at saka pumasok sa bahay. Lumapit noon sa kanya ang kanyang mga alagad at nagtanong: “Ipaliwanag mo sa amin ang talinhaga ng mga trigo sa bukid.” Sumagot si Hesus: “Ang nagtanim ng mabuting buto ay ang Anak ng Tao. Ang bukid naman, ang

    daigdig; ang mabuting buto, ang mga tao ng Kaharian; at ang masasamang damo, ang mga tauhan ng demonyo. Ang kaaway na naghasik sa kanila ay ang demonyo; ang pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng mundo, at ang mga manggagawa ang mga anghel. Kung paanong tinitipon ang masasamang damo at sinusunog sa apoy, ganito rin ang
    mangyayari sa katapusan ng mundo. Ipadadala ng Anak ng Tao ang kanyang mga anghel at titipunin nila sa kanyang Kaharian ang mga iskandalo at mga gumagawa ng masama. At itatapon ang mga ito sa nagliliyab na pugon kung saan may iyakan at pagngangalit ng ngipin. At pagkatapos nito, magniningning ang mga makatarungan tulad ng araw sa Kaharian ng kanilang Ama. Makinig ang may
    tainga!”

     

    Pagninilay:

    Mga kapanalig, napakaraming bagay ang pinagdedebatehan sa panahon natin ngayon, na nagdudulot sa atin ng kalituhan, agam-agam at pangamba. Dapat bang gawing legal ang divorce? Ang abortion? Makakatulong ba talaga sa pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya ang Maharlika Investment Funds? Paano kung kurakutin lang ito at mauwi sa bulsa ng iilan?  Ano ang marapat gawin para mahinto na ang cyber bullying at online scamming? At napakarami pang ibang usapin.  Sa personal nating buhay, kadalasan hirap din tayong magpasya kung ano ang tama; at kung ano ang gagawin natin, sa gitna ng mga nakikita nating katiwalian. Magbubulag-bulagan na lamang ba tayo? O maglalakas-loob na magsalita. Paano kong manganib ang buhay ko?  Paano kung mawalan ako ng trabaho? Paano ko bubuhayin ang pamilya ko, kung hindi ako kakapit sa masama?  Mga kapatid, kapag nalagay tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon, sana’y sundan natin ang halimbawa ng mga apostol, na lumapit sa Panginoong Hesus. Humingi tayo ng Kanyang paggabay:

    “Ipaliwanag mo po sa amin, Panginoon, ang mga talinhaga sa aming buhay.” Makinig tayo sa sasabihin niya; dahil tanging sa liwanag ng kanyang Espiritu lamang natin makikita ang “bigger picture.” Hindi lang ito pagtatalo ng magkabilang partido sa politika, relihiyon at prinsipyo. Ito’y pagtutunggali ng kabutihan at kasamaan. Saan ka papanig at sino ang iyong susundan? 

    Manalangin tayo:  Panginoon, patatagin mo kami sa aming

    pakikipagtunggali laban sa kasamaan. Manalig nawa kaming lagi na sa katapusan, tanging kabutihan lamang ang mananaig.  Amen.

    5 min
  • Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Alphonsus De Liguori, Patron of Confessors and Moral Theologians| August 1

    Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Alphonsus De

    Liguori, Patron of Confessors and Moral Theologians| August 1

     


    St. Alphonsus de Liguori, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer or the Redemptorists.He was endowed with a well-rounded

    talents so much so that he was also a composer, musician, artist, poet, writer, lawyer, philosopher and theologian. St. Alphonsus was born, eldest of seven children, in Marianella, near Naples, Italy, of a noble lineage on September 27, 1696. His father sent him to study as a lawyer. Before entering the university he was taught by tutors. At 16, he graduated from the University of Naples with doctorates in civil and canon law. When he was 18, he joined the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy to assist in caring for the sick at the hospital. Meanwhile, he was also practicing law, which according to him was full of difficulties. After eight years of practice, losing for the first time an important case at
    age 27, he resolved to leave the legal profession. That was when he heard a voice saying: “Leave the world and give yourself to me.”

    Soon, he decided to become a priest and entered as a novice at the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, but his father allowed him as long as he would not become an Oratorian. He was ordained on December 21, 1726 at the age 30. He spent his first years as a priest with the homeless and marginalized youth of Naples. He became very popular due to his

    simple and down-to-earth preaching. He was heard saying: “I have never preached a sermon which the poorest old woman in the congregation could not understand.” That was why his sermons were very effective and they converted many who had gone away from the faith. He founded centers of prayer, preaching, community social activities and education for the youth. They called them Evening Chapels. There were thousands active members and participants.

    In 1729 Alphonsus left his family home and resided in the Chinese Institute in Naples and began missionary work in the interior regions of Naples. There, he found people who were much poorer and much more abandoned than those in his first missionary territory. In 1731, while ministering to earthquake victims in Foggia, Italy Alphonsus said he had a vision of the Virgin Mary who appeared as a girl of 14. This vision and his scruples about sin, led to a greater intimacy with God and an ardent desire to serve Him unreservedly. Thus, on November 9, 1732, he founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The charism of the congregation is to preach in the cities and the countryside, in the slums and other poor places. Besides preaching, the members of the newly founded congregation fought against Jansenism, the heresy that preached a very excessive and strict morality which did not consider forgiveness. The Redemptorists rightly believed that: “penitents must be treated as souls to be saved rather than as criminals to be punished.” The Redemptorists specialized in hearing Confession. In 1766, St. Alphonsus founded also the Redemptoristine nuns in St. Agatha.

    When St. Alphonsus was already sickly, he resigned his post as Bishop and he continued to live with the Redemptorist community in Pagani, Italy where he died. St. Alphonsus was beatified on September 15, 1816 by Pope Pius VII. He was canonized on May 26, 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI. He was named “Patron of Confessors and Moral Theologians” by Pope Piuys XII on April 26, 1950. His voluminous writings are still extant today and a famous Christmas song in Italian is still among the favorites: “Tu scendi dalle stelle” (From starry skies descending). In 1949,

    the Redemptorists founded the Alphonsian Academy for the advanced study of moral theology. St. Alphonsus is a Doctor of the Church and his greatest contribution were his writings on moral theology. The devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help was begun by his followers in 1923.



     

     

     

    7 min

About PAULINES

From the publisher's feed

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the birth to heaven of its co-foundress, Venerable Thecla Merlo and on the 30th anniversary of the Pauline trademark, the Daughters of St. Paul announces a restyling of the PAULINES PUBLISHING TRADEMARK and its new INSTITUTIONAL LOGO.