The following reflection was written by Sr. Teresa Beltrano, a Daughter of St. Paul serving in our bookcenter in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. She shares what it was like to close the bookcenter, what it has been like to be closed these past two months, and how it has made her think about the value of books, of our bookcenters, and of the Pauline mission of evangelization. To see the bookcenter where Sr. Teresa serves, visit “Libreria Paoline Palermo” on Facebook. In this unexpected a...

This week, get to know Sr. Mary Stephen! Originally from Texas, and currently stationed in Boston, Sr. Stephen has been a Daughter of St. Paul for more than 60 years and has worked in many areas of the Pauline apostolate. And make sure you check out her three-part advice for discerners at the end! What is your name? Sr. Mary StephenWhere are you from originally? South Central TexasHow long have you been a Sister? 65 yearsBriefly, how did you meet the Daughters of St. Paul? Through my parish...

The first week of the month is special in the prayer life of a Daughter of St. Paul. Why? Each day in the first week of the month is dedicated to a different Pauline devotion. These devotions are a regular part of our lives and of our prayer life, but as each month starts we remind ourselves of this by praying special prayers. I want to share some of them with you, so that maybe you can create your own devotions for the first week of the month! Monday: Monday is dedicated to St. Paul. He is...

From the many writings that Blessed James Alberione left to the Daughters of St. Paul, here are the three things that he encouraged us to think about during Lent. As you enter into your Lenten journey, may these thoughts help you to draw closer to Jesus and to receive his love—which is what Lent is all about! “Let us draw encouragement from three things. First: Jesus crucified. Let us picture the sufferings Jesus endured during his passion: the scourgings, the spits of the soldi...

February is "Mother Thecla Month" for the Daughters of St. Paul—the month when we remember the birthday (February 20) and the anniversary of death (February 5) of our co-foundress, Venerable Mother Thecla Merlo. Mother Thecla has much to teach us about drawing close to God, about listening to him and following his will for our lives, and about living in love. In her own words…. Trust: By myself I can do nothing, but with you everything is possible. You are my All. I h...

Wow! We're almost a whole month in to 2020 already! There's been a lot happening around our convents, and lots more coming up! What's Been Happening:January 1: We brought in the New Year, as we always do, with Eucharistic Adoration until midnight on New Year's Eve. Bl. James Alberione received the inspiration to found our community in Eucharistic Adoration on New Year's Eve, 1900-1901. Around the world, Daughters of St. Paul gather in adoration to thank Jesus the Divine ...

This Saturday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. This feast calls us to live like St. Paul---in utter honesty and transparency with God, in untiring gift of self toward others, and with our eyes always on Jesus who has both emptied us and filled us. St. Paul calls us to live like Jesus! Here is a meditation by Sr. Emily Beata on St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. St. Paul the Apostle, pray for us! Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in ...

Today (January 16), the Daughters of St. Paul begin the novena in preparation for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25). This novena prepares us to celebrate the Conversion of our spiritual father, St. Paul, with hearts that are ready to be converted just as his was. This is the hymn that we will be praying every day. It is part biography of St. Paul, part prayer that we can follow his example of proclaiming the Gospel with his life and remaining attached to Jesus in his heart. We...

Reflecting with the “O Antiphons” From www.usccb.org: The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Thei...

Our Sisters are often called upon to appear on podcasts, radio, and TV, or to be interviewed by various news outlets and social media personalities. We’re always happy about this for a few reasons. First, it gives us an opportunity to share the good news of God’s love in our life and in our community. We love getting the Good News out there!Second, it also gives us an opportunity to personally meet, interact with, and pray for those who work in the media. This is a key part of o...

Recently, I received a reminder that my spiritual life is--surprise, surprise!--NOT about me! I was talking with a Sister, and she shared this insight with me: the spiritual life is not so much about looking at ourselves as it is about looking at God. If we start by looking at Him and listening to Him, then we can be sure that we are on the right path. Likewise for discernment--we are not at the center of our discernment, God is! The Holy Spirit is! So, the discernment tip of the day is--lo...

Welcome to the month of October—the month of the rosary! The rosary is one of the most powerful prayers that we have. Through the rosary, we can intercede for others, ask Mary’s intercession for us, and draw closer to Mary and to Jesus. The rosary is also a powerful prayer for vocational discernment. The reason for this is simple: the mysteries of the rosary lead us through the life of Christ, from the annunciation of his birth, to the crowning of his mother in heaven. And it is...

This week, meet Sr. Mary Margaret! Currently stationed in Boston, Sr. Mary Margaret has LOTS of experience as a Daughter of St. Paul. She has traveled all over the country (and the world!) and has great advice for living a life of prayer and discernment. She is a woman of deep prayer, and among her Sisters, she is famous for her love of popcorn!What is your name? Sr Mary MargaretWhere are you from originally? Rochester, NYHow long have you been a Sister? I have been in the convent for 63 years, ...

“Arise, go on your journey, trusting in the Promise.” This is a very special month for us. From September 5 to October 5, 2019, our 11th General Chapter is taking place in Rome. The General Chapter is a congregation-wide meeting that takes place every six years. It reflects on the past six years, sets goals for the upcoming six years, and elects the new Mother General and General Government for the congregation. Needless to say, it’s pretty important!Sixty Sisters are part...

June is a month full of beautiful celebrations for us Daughters of St. Paul. Our Founder, Blessed James Alberione, told us that June should be the “Month of St. Paul.” He even wrote a book with that title! With the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29 (and for the Pauline Family, the feast of St. Paul all by himself on June 30!), the whole month is an opportunity for us to pray to St. Paul, learn from him, and commit ourselves to imitating him in his following of Jesus.But before ...

On May 18, 2019, in Nyeri, Kenya, Sr. Jackie Jean-Marie made her perpetual profession of vows as a Daughter of St. Paul! Sr. Jackie is originally from Kenya, but entered the Daughters of St. Paul in the United States. At her perpetual profession, she received her mandate from Sr Donna, our provincial superior, to serve in our community in New Orleans, Louisiana!Perpetual profession is the commitment to live the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience as a Daughter of St. Paul forever. It is the...

St. Paul Summer Program 2019!We invite young women entering, currently in, or just finishing high school who want to learn more about the vocation to the religious life to consider our St. Paul Summer Program! This year’s summer program will take place Thursday, July 25-Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at our Novitiate House in Boston. The program includes daily Mass and Adoration, Morning and Evening Prayer with the community, an experience of our mission in our publishing house, writing and art tr...

We love introducing you to our Sisters! This week, meet Sr. Diane Leonard! Originally from San Diego, currently stationed in Hawaii...she has lots of experience and lots of stories! 1.     What is your name?  Sr. Diane Leonard Kraus  2.     Where are you from originally? San Diego, CA 3.     How long have you been a Sister? 42 years 4.     Briefly, how did you meet the Daughters of St. P...

May is the month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Mother.This May, I’m really looking forward to journeying more intentionally with Mary and asking her to bring me closer to Jesus. But my relationship with Mary hasn’t always been so intentional. For a long time, I had trouble relating to Mary. I prayed to her, and I always felt a connection to her total surrender to God at the Annunciation, but I never really related to her as a mother, or as a woman.Looking back on my life, I ...

Happy Easter Season from the Daughters of St. Paul! We wanted to share with you an Easter letter from our Founder, Bl. James Alberione. He not only speaks of the joy of Easter, but also of what this joy moves us toward--becoming "great saints in Christ"! This Easter season, ask our risen Jesus to guide you to the path of holiness that He has in mind for you!The whole Church is feasting, as it celebrates the Spouse who conquered the battle against hell, death and his adversaries. The Ch...