Two Pillars to Remember

I once met an enthusiastic 6th grade religion teacher who prayed regularly to St. Paul. "Sister," she declared as she bought herself a new copy of her beloved Novena to St. Paul, "I taught religion to sixth graders for all my life. With St. Paul's help I was able to succeed!" I was delighted to see someone who was not in the Pauline Family so devoted to our Patron and spiritual Father.

On the devotional popularity list, I am afraid that St. Anthony and St. Jude seem to be top scorers! One day I hope to see many more people devoted to St. Paul. Blessed Alberione, our Founder, called his religious men and women and dedicated laity "Paulines," since he wanted us to be "St. Paul living today." We Daughters of St. Paul are in the midst of praying a solemn Novena in honor of St. Paul. We often sing much of it, recalling passages from the Letters of St. Paul and some from the Acts of the Apostles. One of the refrains in the Novena goes like this: "O St. Paul, the Apostle, preacher of truth and doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God who chose you." I promise you my faithful readers that I do ask St. Paul to intercede for you too. Friday is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. We continue our Novena on Friday the 29th of June. On Saturday, we members of the

Pauline Family will celebrate the Commemoration of St. Paul. Because Paul is our Patron Saint, and our spiritual inspiration, the Church grants this privilege to us to celebrate our own day in honor of St. Paul. For many of us, including myself, our anniversary of professing our vows falls on June 30th, So please rejoice we us as we celebrate here in Boston the anniversaries of three Sisters who are "golden" jubilarians; four who are celebrating 60 years of religious profession; and one Sister, Sister Lorenzina celebrates 70 years of vowed life!The Sister in the white veil is from Youngstown, Ohio. She is home from from Kenya, Africa where she has served for about 40 years. She is one of the 60th anniversary Sisters.

However, we cannot forget Saint Peter, head of the Apostles. It was he who on Pentecost Sunday began to speak boldly about Christ, and eventually made his way to Rome, the Capital city of the Roman Empire. It was a dangerous occupation: preaching that Jesus Christ is Lord in a world where a Roman Emperor took it upon himself to be "Lord" of his domain. In prison or out of it, Paul preached about this Lord and Savior who died and rose again to win salvation for all. When you travel to Rome and other parts of Europe, you will often see statues of Peter and Paul together, or one on each side of an altar. The pair of ardent apostles appear many times in Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the (ancient) walls of the city. Pray for Pope Francis on the 29th of June especially, since he is successor of St. Peter. Have a blessed rest of this week of joy!