Rekindle the gift you have received. - Societa San Paolo

Rekindle the gift you have received.Creative fidelity to hundred years of Pauline CharismGroup work of 26 th April 2010PROCEDURE OF WORKTheme: PAULINE CHARISM AS AN APOSTOLIC RESPONSE OF FR. ALBERIONE TO THECHALLENGES OF THE TIMEAim:To remind ourselves of the richness and diversity of the gift we havereceived which will help us to begin the chapter reflection on creative fidelitytoday.To be kept in mind: This group work is the first of a series of four meetings duringwhich we will try to outline the image of a Pauline, who lives and works in acommunity, and who is prepared for a specific a mission. During thesuccessive meetings, the first image, drawn on the basis of the reflection onthe charism transmitted by Fr. Alberione, will be completed with theapostolic model of Saint Paul, having in mind the changes in the world ofcommunication and with the reflection on evangelization of the congregationand of the world today.Group 5 — EnglishPlace of meeting: Hall Maria SS. Annunziata (D)Fr. Ruben Areño — Provincial Superior, Philippines‐MacauFr. George Chathanattu — Delegate, India‐NigeriaFr. Celso Godilano — Regional Superior, GB‐IrlandaFr. Joseph Javillo — Delegate, United States of AmericaFr. Francis Kochupaliyathil — Delegate, AustraliaFr. Thomas Manimalayil — Delegate, India‐NigeriaBr. Seiichi Oyama — Delegate, JapanFr. Michael Raj— Delegate, India‐NigeriaBr. Takahito Tokuda — General councillorI. Group meeting — Steps to be followedLavoro di gruppo del 26 aprile 2010 1

— Self‐presentation of the members of the group: each one briefly presents hisexperience as a Pauline and his experience in Pauline apostolate, and shareswith others his expectation from the IX General chapter.— The group elects a moderator who will guide the work and a reporter who willpresent the results of the group work in the assembly.— It follows the personal reading of the contribution prepared by the PreparatoryCommission. Reading the test, it is to be remembered that the contribution doesnot express all the dimensions of Pauline charism.— Each one tries to write certain phrases which characterises:1) The purpose for which God called Fr. Alberione;2) The manner in which Fr. Alberione responded to the call of God;3) The steps taken by Fr. Alberione to respond to the call of God.Note: Take care to finish the work in time so as to be ready for the inauguralMass which begins at 11.15.II. Meeting in the afternoonAt 15.00, the group will come directly to the hall assigned to them for discussion.The results of the discussion will be presented in the chapter hall at 17.00. It isrecommended to finish the group discussion around 16.30 so as to leave sufficienttime for interval and for the reporter to prepare his presentation.Steps to be followed:— After a suitable period of time which is necessary for a rapid personal reading ofthe contribution and of one’s notes, each member of the group will present thefruit of his reflection in the morning.— Discussion follows.— The group will try to form its response to the following questions:From the charism transmitted by Fr. Alberione,1) How could be described a Pauline?2) How could be described a Pauline community?3) How could be described Pauline apostolate?4) What are the necessary steps to reach Pauline ideal?III. INTRODUCTORY CONTRIBUTION1. IntroductionVatican Council II strongly urged the religious to find the original inspirationof their foundation and of their charism. This exhortation received a new vigour andvitality in our congregation after the Special General Chapter of 1969‐1971. Now, aswe begin the IX General Chapter with the theme: “Rekindle the gift you havereceived: Creative fidelity to hundred years of Pauline Charism”, it is necessary forLavoro di gruppo del 26 aprile 2010 2

us to remind and update ourselves of our charism so that we may rekindle it, live itand transmit it today with “Pauline” spirit.Considering Pauline charism as an apostolic response of Blessed JamesAlberione, it is opportune to remember the affirmation: “The Pauline Family hadseveral clear signs that it is willed by the Lord and of the supernatural intervention ofhis wisdom and goodness” (AD 32).2. “Pauline Charism”: Fruit of priestly zeal2.1. Charism is a functional gift given to a member of the Church by the HolySpirit for a common good. Charisms are present in the Church to continue its missionand to be means of salvation, i.e., the force that guides all the activities of an institute.Pauline Charism is the fruit of the priestly zeal of Fr. Alberione who tried to bring themessage of salvation to all to lead them to salvation. He was convinced that theChurch possesses a treasure of vital value for the whole world.The Church announces the truth that enlightens the mind of man and pointsout to him that God is the source and goal of his life; teaches the moral attitudewhich allows man to walk towards salvation; with the sacraments she instils divinelife and the necessary force for our journey towards faith. She has the duty tocommunicate to all people the treasure that is entrusted to her. Fr. Alberione,however, was aware that the traditional ministry does not correspond anymore tothis task and wanted to fill this emptiness with his foundations.2.2. During his priestly formation, the young Alberione was exposed to themany needs and the new challenges that the social and cultural changes of the timeposed before the mission of the church which revealed the insufficiency of thetraditional ministry concentrated on parish.Bad press was detected as one of the principle reasons for the flight of themasses from the Church. The press created an atheistic, agnostic and aggressivementality, therefore, the Popes Pius IX and then Leo XIII exhorted all the Catholics tooppose the bad press with good press. In response to the exhortation of the Popes, atthe turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries arose several Catholicorganisations dedicated to good press. The initiatives of Fr. Alberione can be insertedin these vast movements of the church for the good press.3. Pauline apostolate3.1. Apostolate with priestly heart. Fr. Alberione was convinced that for anefficacious action of Catholics, it is not enough to produce good press, but it isnecessary an apostolate of the good press. Apostolate of the good press does notconsist only in the dissemination of good work, but it is a priestly activity. To makegood press, “it is enough to have men who know; but for an apostolate, a heart, apriestly soul is necessary” (UCBS, 20 January 1926).Our founder, therefore, abandons his initial project of founding an associationof laity. The new mission requires commitment of “writers, technicians, progandists,who are religious” (AD 23). Apostolate of the good press is carried out by apostles;and an apostle is one who carries God in his soul and radiates Him through his verylife. He is a witness of all that he has seen and heard from the Divine Master; he is aLavoro di gruppo del 26 aprile 2010 3