Upon hearing that the Founder, Fr. Alberione, had chosen her to “carry out silence, silence, silence,” you might think that Mother Scholastica’s life was thoroughly still, calm, and safe from all surprises. But in reality, her life was anything but predictable!Born in Guarene, Italy on July 12, 1897, Ursula Rivata was raised in a loving family. Her childhood suffered a major heartbreak, however, when her mother passed away suddenly after a short illness. The little Ursula misse...

These days, Fr. Timothy can be seen only in the old photographs, sitting stoically with hands properly folded, draped in his black cassock.  His camera-shy posture belies his daring spirit and gentle heart, which have had such a profound influence on the lives of so many.Born Giuseppe Giaccardo on June 13th, 1896 in Cuneo, Italy, he was the eldest of five children.  As a boy, the young Giuseppe had a great love for God, a devotion to the sacraments, and a Marian heart – three qua...

It may seem rather strange to have included in the family of Pauline saints a man who had taken no Pauline vow, and yet as Fr. Alberione’s spiritual advisor, Canon Chiesa is fondly considered the “godfather” of the Pauline family by her members.Francesco Chiesa was born in Monta d’Alba, Italy, on April 2, 1874.  He proved to be a keen student who wanted to devote his life to God and His Church.  Francesco Chiesa entered the seminary in Alba, and was ordained a p...

“James!” A farm woman in the field called to her little boy who, small and frail, was lagging behind the rest with the lantern.  “James, bring the light!”  He hurried to bring that one essential source of light to his family as fast as his little feet would carry him.It was a simple memory, but later it would come to punctuate James’ entire experience as he navigated an unprecedented calling in the midst of a suffering humanity.James Alberione was born Apr...

Saint Paul's love for Jesus was so great that he yearned to tell everyone about him. Let’s see how he carried out this mission!We begin with the words the Lord spoke to Ananias, who baptized Paul, “‘Go, for he (Paul) is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name’” (Acts 9:15-16). We will see how Paul fulfilled these words.About...

It was June 28, 1932 when Sister Paula Cordero first stepped foot onto the shore of America.She spoke no English.She had no money.She had no experience.And she was just 23 years old.Yet she planted her feet on American soil with lively determination to spread the Gospel to the people of this new land.Adele Cordero was born Feb 16, 1908 in the Piedmont region of Italy.  When she entered the Daughters of St. Paul, she brought with her a nature not unlike St Paul’s himself: strong and de...

Every religious congregation has a particular Marian devotion. The Pauline devotion to Mary is Queen of Apostles. When as a teenager I first got to know the Daughters of St. Paul, I was wildly unfamiliar with this devotion. Honestly, I didn’t understand Mary in general, but I especially didn’t understand her as Queen of Apostles…. She sounded too majestic, too far out of reach for me. However, the Lord works in mysterious ways, so as I continued to discern my vocation with the...