SUMMARY OF JAMES ALBERIONE

INTRODUCTION

Blessed James Alberione is a diocesan turn religious cleric. He was originally a diocesan priest of the catholic diocese of Alba. Alberione, following the vision he had on the night between the 18^th and the 19^th century from the blessed sacrament, during his four hours of prayer and adoration, decided to do something different for the people of the new century; he intended to fight the bad press with the good press. As a result of his vision, he founded five religious congregations and four institutes for his mission. The religious congregations and institutes includes: society of St Paul, daughters of St Paul, sisters disciples of the divine master, good shepherd sisters, queen of the apostles sisters, St Gabriel the arch angel, annunciation of our lady, Jesus the priest, the holy family, and union of Pauline cooperators.

Blessed James Alberione as the founder of the Pauline family has a clear mission and his own spirituality. Spirituality and mission are two separate aspects that refer to one another. However, I propose to write a summary of the spirituality of blessed James Alberione as written by George Kaitholil.

WHO IS JAMES ALBERIONE?

Bl. James Alberione is the founder of the Pauline family, Born in 4^th of April 1884, into a peasant family in San Lorenzo di Fossano, north Italy. Alberione enrolled into the minor seminary of bra after his high school, and at his age of sixteen, in 1900, he entered the seminary of Alba. Alberione had an intense God experience during the cross over night of the 1900. It was a direct inspiration and intellectual illumination. With his experience, his mission was clear; living and giving to the world Christ the way the truth and life, with the aid of the fastest and most effective means of communication. As a result, certainty and conviction he had regarding his experience of the Eucharistic lord, he credits the birth of his foundations (the Pauline family) to the Eucharist.

Alberione was ordained on the 29^{th of} June 1907. He obtained a doctorate in theology as an assistant priest. Within 1908 and 1920, he was a professor and spiritual director in the seminary of Alba, his alma mater. Fr. Alberione exercised his work with love and care, and was entrusted the Gazetta d’Alba, the diocesan newspaper, in 1913.

HIS FOUNDATIONS

Spirituality is actualized in concrete expression and action, and is equally animated by the same spirit. The spirit units the founder and his institutes to Christ in one aspect of his life, mission and mystery. The mission of Christ is the source of every charism.

Regarding his vision, coupled with obedience to the call and will of God, Alberione opened a small printing school in 20^th august 1914, for a start. It was called the Typographical school of little workers. That was the foundation of the society of St Paul, being the eldest of the Pauline family for the apostolate of the mass media. It was founded under the patronage of Saint Paul. The institute earlier assumed the name “pious society of St Paul”.

Fr. Alberione has a total of five religious congregations and four secular institutes, each with a specific purpose and mission. They include: society of St. Paul (1914) and daughters of St. Paul (1915) for the mass media apostolate, disciples of the divine master (1924) for the liturgical apostolate, sisters of the good shepherd (1938) for pastoral animation in the parishes, sisters of queen of the apostles (1958) for promoting vocations with the church, St. Gabriel the arch angel (1958) for young men, annunciation of our lady (1958) for young women, Jesus the priest (1959) for diocesan priests, the holy family (1960) for married couples, union of Pauline cooperators (1917) for the good press. These foundations of Fr. Alberione are united in the same ideal of personal sanctity and apostolate through the media; giving Christ the way, truth and life to the world.

HIS INSPIRATIONS AND PURPOSE

St Paul was a great source of inspiration for Fr. Alberione. He advocated that every member of the Pauline family should be St. Paul alive. The imitation of St. Paul was Fr. Alberione’s recommendation, just as Paul imitated Christ. Fr. Alberione says that the scope of the society of St. Paul is the glory of God and the sanctification of its members. For Fr. Alberione, the fruitfulness of the apostolate is dependent on the knees bent in prayer rather than the pen or tongue.

Alberione dedicated his life to obedience unto the command of making disciples of all nations. He took it to himself to meet the needs of the church. According to Fr. Alberione, God the father gave the eternal word incarnate in human body; the publishers give the same word in paper and ink, tape and sound, film and image. Alberione’s secret of sanctity is his trust in God coupled with deep humility.

PAPAL APPRECIATONS

Fr. Alberione was conferred the honour of pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Paul IV, for his faithful and tireless work for God’s glory. He died in November 26, 1971, after a visit by Pope Paul IV, and was beatified on 27 April 2003 by Pope John Paul II. Alberione’s life presents an inspiring and challenging example of great love for the word of God, devotion to the Eucharist and zeal for the good news of Jesus.

WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY

Alberione’s way can be confidently followed; it leads to maturity in Christ. Spirituality covers the totality of a person’s physical, psychological, social and religious entity; it is the practical, basic, attitude of a person which is a consequence and expression of how the person grasps religious existence. For Christians, spirituality is life according to the life of Christ.

Piety, devotional acts and external performances are not necessarily indications of a flourishing spiritual life. Christian spirituality requires: 1. a personal element, emphasizing trust in God, making our selves persons of integrity and responsibility. 2. An interpersonal element, including love and forgiveness and a community style of life marked by participation; not dictatorship and slavery. 3. A social element, commitment to justice, solicitude for ecology, sensitivity to human problems etc.

True spirituality is existential and dynamic; it’s not merely static or minimalistic. Faith must be relevant for life. Spirituality consists in the integration of faith in life. Christian spirituality is essentially living by the teachings and examples of Christ. To live a genuine Christian spiritual life is to be like Christ.

According to Fr. Alberione, the spiritual journey should produce in us: growth in the spirit of faith, growth in hope, growth in love for God. There is need to reform what is deformed, conform what is reformed, confirm what is conformed and transform what is confirmed. For these purpose, there are needs for listening, meditation, discovery, prayer and renewal.

UNTIL CHRIST IS FORMED IN ME

Donec formetur christus in vobis, published in 1932 was a book prepared by Fr. Alberione as a manual for spiritual retreats and for a special use in the novitiate. The book is pedagogical by nature and deals with spiritual and religious life. The book is essentially an outcome of Fr. Alberione’s activity for human, spiritual and apostolic formation of his sons and daughters, around the year 1930. Alberione calls attention to the fundamental truths: the final goal of the human being, eternal destiny, the personal responsibility to prepare for one’s eternity. In response to these, Alberione modeled his youngsters directly on Jesus divine master seen in the totality of his person as the way, the truth and the life.

THE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE S OF Bl. ALBERIONE

Fr Alberione’s spiritual and pedagogical orientation was shaped by the domination of the person of the divine master in his existence and thought, prayer, work and aspirations. Alberione had prolonged and intense intimacy with the Lord during his spiritual exercises, he was enlightened and renewed.

Typical to St Paul, Alberione cannot think of spiritual apostolic growth of Pauline except in terms of conformity to the divine master, gradually and continuously. Conformity to Christ is the spiritual aspect most repeated by Fr. Alberione. Alberione adopted the most common lines taken by the spiritual guides of his time, which included the spiritual exercise of St Ignatius of Loyola. Also conforming to Ernst Dubois’ thought pattern, Alberione associated each way to the three persons of the Trinity: the purgative way with the Father, the illuminative way with the Son, and the unitive way with the Holy Spirit.

UNDERSTANDING HIS SPIRITUALITY

Alberione’s spirituality can be understood based on the comparison of Alessandro Manzoni about the Capuchin Friars; like a sea that receives water from everywhere and returns it to distribute it to all rivers. Alberione fulfilled three duties; he transmitted energy, warmth and light to priests, religious and lay people. All things worked in unison for the spiritual formation of James Alberione; he was unique in his personality.

Alberione inculcated any form of virtue anywhere he finds it; he found them all in revelation, tradition, sacred and profane doctrines, in people and human institutions. He gathered with discernment and intelligence. The elements he gathered were worked out, transformed, and absorbed into life and thought, activity and personal work; his earthly pilgrimage.

Abundantes divitiae gratiae suae is Alberione’s title to his notes written in 1953; there he tells the charismatic history of the Pauline family. The title was taken from Eph. 2:7. It is the charismatic history of the Pauline family.

HIS EXPERIENCES OF PURIFICATION

Alberione entered the minor seminary of Bra in 1896. He was there till April 1900. On October 1900, he entered the major seminary of his home diocese Alba. Indiscriminate reading really disturbed Alberione and he sought to save others from this danger. The actually formed the deepest root of his apostolate of the press. Alberione was more of a victim than guilty. Thus, he preached and wrote against all that affected him negatively.

ALBERIONE’S DAY

Alberione usually begins his day long before day break between 3 and 3:15 am and ends around 9 in the evening. He goes early to bed and wakes up early. He spent the early hours of the day in prayer including the celebration of the mass. He attends to his correspondence, and receives visitors after breakfast. Alberione was always occupied with his duties as the director, executive and father. He visits his children around the world and translates books. Alberione was so patient with his students. Alberione assumes activities of the house, to the extent of even cooking, disregarding how occupied he maybe.

PREPARED FOR A SPECIAL MISSION

Alberione’s mistakes were used not only to consolidate his soul in humility but also to form and prepare him for a specific mission. He experienced disorder and confusion at his younger age which imprudent reading introduced into his soul, the mind and the will. Alberione was charged with a charism that was necessary for realizing the foundation of different religious congregations, which is today the Pauline family.

Alberione as a young seminarian participated in different congresses which includes the one given by prof. Joseph Toniolo. What Toniolo said regarding the duty of being an apostle of times, of using the means abused by the adversaries, was clear to Alberione. He felt obliged to do something for God and the people of the new century. During the first four hours Alberione prayed in the cathedral of Alba, he asked the Lord that the new century might be born in the Eucharistic Christ. Form then Alberione’s reading, studies, prayer etc. was inspired by that thought of a better new century. He was confused at first, but it later became clearer and concrete as years pass by.

Along with his life, offices and duties, Alberione’s spiritual formation also progressed. He was vested, ordained a deacon and then a priest, in1902, 1906, and 1907 respectively. He was engaged in pastoral work at Narzole, till 1920 he held the office of the spiritual director and professor in the seminary of Alba. From 1913, he was the director of the diocesan weekly magazine. He occupied himself with multiple activities, and in 20^th august 1914 he founded the society of St. Paul.

HIS PERSONAL PREPARATION

Foreseeing the needs of time, Alberione advocates for the teachings that saves. He has interest in all subjects relevant to lifelike thought and activity; he understood everything in a Christian way. He prepared himself for his mission in all possible way. The idea of beginning what would later be the Pauline family was always in his mind. He held that the sanctity of mind is the initial step to the sanctity of life. The first boys of Alberione include: Guiseppe Giaccardo, Torquato Armani and Desiderio Costa, they were of good qualities.

Alberione had always insisted on the formation of the integral person and not of a particular aspect. He wanted to enrich the Pauline family with whatever that is useful. He wished to build a stable life on Jesus Christ as the corner stone. He advocated that we should work towards the formation of Jesus Master the way, the truth and life in ourselves.

HIS SENSE OF HISTORY

Alberione conceives history as a teacher that goes on teaching. For him, history has the creator as its key-player. He believes that it is a continual lesson of the divine master. Alberione went on studying the history of many things. His study of history confirmed his belief in the universality of salvation and of mission. This resulted to his corresponding commitment in action. He studied history to make himself a better person, and he lived concretely the fruits of his studies. Alberione attached so much importance to history. Alberione listened to the world and responded in accordance with the voice of God and his conscience. He intensified the effort to update the ways of teaching, training and preparing seminarians for whatever apostolate that is required of them.

MOMENTS OF GRACE

·         The felt impulse of becoming a priest

·         The conviction that he had to do something for the salvation of the people of the new century

·         The introduction of the apostolate of the good press

·         The approval and permission to venture into an apostolate that reaches out to the whole world.

Other moments of grace includes his healing through the intervention of St Paul in various critical situations. In times of great difficulties, it appeared to him that the Divine Master wanted the institute to start a few years earlier, and in dreams he was given answers: “do not be afraid, I am with you, from here I will enlighten, be sorry for sins”.

SOURCES OF ALBERIONE’S SPIRITUALITY

The two major sources of Alberione’s spirituality are the Holy Eucharist and the word of God. Alberione drew treasures from his spiritual growth and that of the people under his care. He was a specialist in gathering the more significant things. His books were written in view of practical action and aimed at life. He gave no importance to empty and useless things. He was a man of action and contemplation.  From his youth, Alberione was active in many pious associations and organizations. Alberione was equally inspired by Don Bosco, and he drew influences from various sacred and profane sciences which he encountered either as a student or as a teacher.

HIS PRAYER AND PIETY

Alberione took nothing to be more urgent than the concern of his soul, and he resolved to pray more for the good of his soul. Alberione used to dedicate long hours in prayer and often alone in the chapel, on his knees. Alberione created a genuine atmosphere of prayer around him. Alberione had always gone to church to pray in times of special difficulties. He often does the pious exercise of the way of the cross. He conserved all that was valid from his seminary experience to the Pauline family. Alberione was a model of piety, he used to be in the chapel very early in the morning and had always spent nothing less than three hours in prayer; he prays the breviary, makes his meditations and celebrates mass. He concludes his day with a Eucharistic visit. Alberione says that prayer is the first and greatest duty for a person. One cannot make a greater contribution to the world than prayer. His intimacy and trust in Jesus was remarkable. He made sure that his project was not the fruit of human ambition. Alberione was emphatically a man of prayer all his life, from prayer he drew light and strength for action. His apostolic initiatives originated mostly from the tabernacle. During his last days, the rosary was constantly in his hands.

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS

On January 6^th, Alberione taught his boys the secret of success. As at that time it is called the pact. It is a prayer of agreement one makes with the Lord, asking for the multiplication of the fruits of one’s effort. This prayer was first composed by Alberione for the student s of the typographical school. Alberione wrote and rewrote this prayer at least 20 times. The secret of success is a true jewel of spirituality. Alberione composed the prayer with great faith, hope, love and care. It reveals his trust in divine providence; the prayer is a vital fruit of experience of faith nourished by the word of God. Alberione advocates that we should study half the time and learn twice as much. Alberione wanted the Pauline to pray the secret of success daily of at least twice a week without fail.

The secret of success is thoughtfully written and its structure is taken from the pacts or bilateral contracts made between people, bible personages and God himself.

WORK AS A COMPONENT OF ASCETICISM

The little external mortification in the Pauline life requires continual sacrifice, it demands serious hard work. Work is a duty springing form the condition of every individual in himself as a member of a society. It is a means to provide for what is necessary for life and to make overall progress. This is the Pauline spirit; it is Christian, common and universal, with elements of common Christian spirituality. For Alberione, training a young person is the greatest charity. When trained to work, a young person gets use to study, to lofty thoughts, to be energetic, to be creative to live as a true person and as a good citizen.

KNOWLEDGE AS A COMPONENT OF HOLINESS

Alberione indicated the way of presenting all natural, human, philosophical and theological sciences, in the light of reason subordinate to faith, keeping in mind that the church is the only sure way. There is nothing to fear provided we stay on the foundation. Every science is a chapter of creation, and disorder in science is caused by sin.

LOVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD

Alberione was dedicated to the word of God; his idea of life and central objective of his apostolic mission was the word of God. Alberione’s love for the word of God kept him moving, he sees the Bile as the book of God and book of humanity. For him, the Bible is a long hymn of praise to God. For Alberione, the Old Testament is not the only ancient book, but the Bible is more perfect and clear. The reading of the Bible for him is the favorite food of fervent souls and of those who want to grow in sanctity. He has a great veneration for the entire Holy Bible. He worked to see that in every family, there is a copy of the Bible and as such, he founded the international catholic biblical society. His foundations are meant to propagate the word of God.

THE CENTRALITY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Eucharist is the principal source and nourishment of the Pauline life and spirituality. It is the life giving spring of the Pauline family. Alberione gives the highest importance to the mystery of the Eucharist because of the supreme value of the body and blood of Christ. He sacrificed his comfort and convenience for the love of the Eucharist. He had always had an exceptional attachment to the church and sacred functions. The mystery of the real presence had attracted Alberione to the Eucharist. He sees Jesus in the Eucharist as the model of all perfection, and he sees the mass as the fountain of all spiritual life and of all graces.

THE EUCHARISTIC VOCATION OF THE PAULINE LIFE

Being born of the Eucharist, the Pauline family equally draws its nourishment and sanctification from the Eucharist. For the Pauline family, everything: holiness and apostolate comes from the mass, communion, and the Eucharistic visit. Alberione insisted on the word visit because it is a personal intimate meeting with the Lord. The Eucharistic dimension is fundamental to the Pauline life. The Eucharistic relationship is founded on the bond of Christ and the Eucharistic soul institutes and makes evident the reality of the Pauline institute as a family.

The day of the Pauline should have the Eucharistic celebration as its center. And all Paulines are urged to reciprocate the great gift of the Eucharist. The Eucharistic celebration is fundamental to a community because around the Eucharist grows the community and the communion within the community. The Eucharist is indeed the renewal of the Calvary sacrifice and also a banquet.

The Eucharistic visit is one of the pillars of the Pauline spirituality. It is a moment of living faith to the project of God in current history. The Eucharistic visit is an appointment that should never be missed in the Pauline family. It is the Pauline’s charismatic inheritance and is indispensable; the Eucharistic visit is an obligation. No apostolate, even the most urgent can substitute the visit.

Alberione used to knee long in Eucharistic adoration with head bent in prayer. He believes that the Eucharistic visit animates all our hours, occupations, thoughts and relationships. It is like a vital current that flows through everything and communicates the spirit both to the common and ordinary.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Alberione by his religious instinct and deliberate choice Was attuned to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He prayed often for enlightenment and guidance. He submitted his plans for divine approval. His relationship with the Holy Spirit is of love, dependence, trust, obedience, and adoration.

With simple faith and profound humility, Alberione confesses that it is only in grace and divine light of the Holy Spirit lays merits, strength, church, priesthood and religious state. Everything in our spiritual life is accomplished in the Holy Spirit. Alberione explains that the intellectual gifts of the Holy Spirit effects the perfecting of the faith. The Holy Spirit sustains the divine truth. The Holy Spirit communicates the light of faith.

Alberione usually opens his interior self, inviting the Holy Spirit to his faculties, to cleanse and purify all that he is and has, he prays for the grace to be the Spirit’s dwelling place. His relationship with the spirit is the same with his relationship with Christ. His relationship with the Spirit is graded according to the different stages of his interior life.

Alberione was fully convinced of the divine inspiration of the Bible, and be believes that the spirit who is the author, will help us to understand his Book. He will create every precious spiritual and supernatural blessing, as he did with the Apostles. Following his model St Paul, Alberione was fully convinced that all scripture is divinely inspired. He says that the Holy Spirit illumines, moves the will, guides and helps the authors of the Scriptures. Alberione had a great reverence for the liturgy and celebrated it with love and care. It is his believe that the liturgy is the book of the Holy Spirit.

SOME NOTABLE VIRTUES

Alberione was a man of all virtues. He possess a heroic level of the theological virtues of faith, hope and chastity, and other virtues which includes generosity, gratitude, joy, justice, self-denial, meekness, modesty, patience, prudence etc. the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit were visible in him.

Alberione had a great commitment for work. He believed and insisted on the belief of divine providence. Alberione was equally a man of delicate conscience; he holds the mystery of faith with clear conscience. Alberione refers all things to God. The secret of Alberione’s success was his lively hope and trust in God. The prime condition for success according to Alberione is to trust in God.

Alberione was extraordinary and he demanded same from others. Alberione was chaste and had always learnt that chastity is important for a Christian life, and to live a chaste life, one has to practice mortification, give up some pleasures and avoid laziness. Alberione was affectionate and caring but never through a natural expression of attachment. He was delicate, prudent, simple decorous and dignified in dealing with people.

Alberione equally practice poverty and humility. The spirit of poverty was greatly notable in the life of Alberione. Most of his virtue was learnt from his parents at home. Alberione was not materialistic; he wasted nothing and spent everything sparingly. He made great provisions for the apostolate and great visions the church. Alberione practiced his poverty using the goods which the Lord gives and in proper measure. His poverty was not miserliness; it was an expression of his love for God above all things. He has a spirit of sacrifice and humility. His poverty demanded an effective love from him. Alberione was genuinely humble and totally from all ostentation.

Alberione love obedience as the virtue which makes saints and the surest way to an uncommon sanctity. Alberione learned obedience through what he suffered. He promptly obeyed on receiving order form authorities. He obeyed and demanded obedience as well; he was a very fruitful preacher of obedience. He always demanded obedience as a condition for promotion.

Alberione as a founder, prayed for his children, cared for them and loved them with paternal solicitude. His home background was such that everyone had to work according to each one’s strength, and his was thankful to the Lord for his family background. For Alberione, work saves us from laziness, temptation and from all types of bad thoughts and feelings. He had always submitted his work for approval. For him, trust in God, steady work and orderly and balanced administration would ensure the flow of divine providence. Work should be done diligently and responsibly. He regarded catechetical work as the first and basic undertaking.

Alberione recommends that every Pauline should work and earn enough for oneself, for the needs of those under formation, for the care of the sick and for the progress of the apostolate.

THE SENSE OF REPARATION

The sense of reparation runs through Pauline offertory composed by Alberione, he was really convinced of the need to combat the bad press with the god press, organization with organization. He offered all his suffering in the spirit of reparation. He lived with the spirit of reparation and also was affectionate towards all.

SOME IMPORTANT CONCERNS

Alberione was dynamic and open minded in his vision and understanding. His interested extends to the whole aspect of the human person. He was careful about ecology and keen about cleanliness, environmental purity, avoidance of waste, conservation of natural resources etc. He was at home with everything that is of the interest of human progress. The motive of his foundations was to do something for the people of his time. He understands life in a way that led him to social concerns. He conceives life as not a feast for few or burden for many, but a commitment to personal perfection and good of neighbor.

Alberione had a social spirit and was keen on building up social awareness among followers. And he prepares well for social actions. Alberione, because of his social character, was appointed along with canon Chiesa by Bishop Re to work for the propagation of popular union, an association aimed at bringing Catholics of all classes together for unity in social teaching and action. Action and prayer led Alberione to social work for revitalizing government, education, laws, families and relationship between classes and nations.

He was equally an active animator of the liturgy and a conscious celebrant. He was a professor of liturgy in the seminary of Alba. In his meditations and preaching, Alberione kept on repeating teachings about the sacraments and the liturgy. Alberione was full of a liturgical spirit. He provided people with materials so that they may have a balanced and integrated understanding of the Bible, the liturgy and catechism. Alberione was a representation of the throbbing liturgical activity beyond the confines of traditional monastic liturgical centers.

Alberione was equally aware of the painful divisions in the church, and he desired an intense unity among all Christians. While he longed for the unity of all Christians, Alberione was convinced that there can be concessions of a disciplinary nature, or in non-essential liturgical forms, but not in matters of doctrine and unity.

Alberione was an original thinker and a creative activist especially concerning the dignity and role of women whom he respected. Alberione was enthusiastic about the cause of women, he studied deeply and systematically about it. Out of the five religious congregations founded by Alberione, only one is for men the remaining four are for women. Alberione was eloquent in expressing his appreciation of women, women in carrying out their sublime mission, have at their service loving concern, firm and sweet exhortations, reprimands that are full of tender gentleness, prayer spiced with burning tears, looks that are revelation, an inspiration, an intuition, a suggestion and enchanting smiles…

Alberione was a vigorous advocate of the apostleship of women. However the mission of evangelization is not exclusive to men. “The priest without women will lose three fourth of his influence on society; women without him will lose everything”.

DEVOTION TO JESUS THE MASTER

Authentic devotion regulates all of one’s life, thought and actions. Alberione has a special devotion to Jesus the Divine Master. It was a deep impression which Alberione had in the earliest and clearest moments of his spiritual life. Alberione explains, Jesus the way gives humans an example of all virtues. Jesus the truth teaches the truths of faith. Jesus the life restored the lost grace to humanity.

The title “Jesus Mater, The Way, The Truth and The Life” is the fruit of an itinerary of faith. Alberione lived in an intimate relationship of faith with the Master. However the Pauline friendship and intimacy with Jesus helps us in the acquisition of his thoughts, desires and sentiments. Devotion to Jesus dynamically directs and leads us to do the will of the father.

Alberione exhorted that piety must be particularly and continually fostered by the study of Jesus the Divine Master, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It should be done in a manner that all may grow in wisdom, grace and virtue, worshipping God in spirit and truth, and sincerely loving him with mind, will, heart and deeds.

DOCTRINAL BASIS

Jesus is the savior, the Life, he gives us a share in his own life; he is the vine and we are the branches. He offered his life so that we may live. As master, Jesus stands unique; he is the supreme self-communication of God to human beings. As Master, Jesus is the center of history, in him heaven entered earth and earth entered heaven. The history of humanity has its meaning in Jesus Christ. Alberione had an intuition of the devotion of Jesus Master, as the Way, the Truth and the Life.

CHARACTRISTIC ELEMENT

The devotion to Jesus Master is the most characteristic element of the Pauline spirituality. It penetrated and animated every aspect of the study, apostolate and spirituality of the Pauline family. The devotion of Jesus was oriented to the sacred heart and Holy Eucharist in the first years of the society of St Paul. Jesus is the true and only master, he leads by example. Alberione explains the introduction to the devotion of the Divine master saying that it sums up every devotion to Jesus, who is considered the baby in the manger, the worker at Nazareth, The Eucharist in the Tabernacle and loving heart that gives gifts to humanity.

Alberione was very specific about his charism and spirituality. Alberione urges that we should realize the life of Jesus in the most perfect possible way. Alberione insisted that the devotion to the Divine master must be accepted with humility, and love it ever more. Our studies must conform to the Devotion of Jesus the Divine Master.

Alberione explains that the Way, Truth and Life can be applied to the human person being composed of a soul and a body. They help in constructing an anthropological theology. The Way, Truth and Life is a divine title. Life in its essence is a preparation for eternity. Alberione forms a practical and concrete program of spiritual and apostolic life which is contained in his way true life method modeled after Jesus Christ.

ALBERIONE’S EXPERIENCE OF JESUS MASTER

Prayer is the seed ground in which Alberione’s spirituality sprout. Alberione lived his life in the reality of prayer. Alberione admits that he was saved by grace. After a period of 50 years, Alberione goes back to his interior turning point linked to the famous night. At that famous night, Alberione perceived all his life in front of God. Alberione felt enlightened, called, sure of his vocation, felt a need for an apostolate and captured the spirit of the church.

Alberione’s experience of Jesus Master has a biblical context which includes: the prayer of Jesus, the mutual belonging and reciprocal communion between the Father and the Son, the invitation etc. Alberione felt all his life and freedom in front of God and, in the depth of his being he decided to live everything for God.

Alberione developed his experience of 1900 and transformed it to an interior dynamism. It became an imitation and adhesion of life to the Divine Master. The decision for God led him to understand the ever more deeply the action of the Holy Spirit in his soul and to respond to it. in conclusion, Alberione came to the notice that we cannot do anything good or pleasing to God without doing it in Jesus, with Jesus and through Jesus. And Jesus Master is honored by imitating his examples and his virtues, and acting according to his words, and by going to the Father through him, knowing fully well that all what is for Jesus is ours.

Alberione developed spiritually in his growth in Christ through a harmonious dominion of himself, acceptance of his own insufficiency, choice of a consistence reference point, working exclusively for God in Christ and expecting everything from the Divine master.

THE WAY TRUE LIFE METHOD

Alberione had it in his plan that the Pauline is called to contemplate, imitate and re-live Christ in totality. Alberione’s treasure is his understanding of the Divine Master. The way truth life reminds every Pauline of the Eucharistic visit. The way true life is a spiritual method and the patrimony of the Pauline family. Alberione applied this method to all spheres of his activities. The way true life method is a theological synthesis.

Alberione was convinced the God is in support of him teaching the way true life method to the Pauline family. He was aware of the originality of the method he was teaching. Alberione sees his method as a compendium of all religion, all love and all that man owes to God with the mind, the will and the heart.

The way true life method is original, but not in its individual element. The elements are synthesis of different spiritual writings. The method is essentially rooted in the devotion to the Divine Master. The word Master to Jesus means a totality of all the Jesus is. The whole Christ for the whole person, and the whole person for the whole Christ. Alberione puts all the best means provided by human ingenuity for the service of salvation.

The way true life method operates at different levels in an individual: the logical level, the contents level, the spiritual level, the anthropological level, the psychological level and the religious level. Basically it corresponds to the simple and profound need to absorb the whole man in Christ. In reference to the three fold title of Jesus, Alberione divided the Holy mass and the Holy Hour into three. The three faculties of human being was corrupted by sin and Christ comes to redeem humanity; as Truth Christ purifies and elevates the mind, as Way he purifies and elevates the will, and as life he purifies man from devil and makes him participate in divine life.

Alberione intended that the way true life method is to be the guiding principle and a basic orientation of life for every Pauline. It should be the point of reference and of frequent return, and be the deep foundation of the Pauline structures and their fundamental manifestations. Alberione allowed the freedom of the individual application of the way truth life method, but does not allow a deviation from the basic orientation.

Devotion to the Divine Master, following the way truth life method brings the Christian personality to fulfillment. It is the secret of most profound spirituality. It means following  Jesus the Truth by knowing and believing his doctrine, Jesus the Way by imitating his examples and Jesus the Life by living by his grace and responding to his love.

The way truth life method is the pedagogy of Alberione’s spirituality. The Christology of Alberione was formed from the encyclical Tametsi future prospicientibus of Pope Leo XIII where he exhorted all Catholics to follow Jesus the redeemer as the way truth and life. Christ is the way of the great return. Every devotion which Alberione inculcated in the Pauline family manifests Christ-centeredness.

The three parts of the mass corresponds to Truth, Way and Life respectively. Jesus the Truth strengthens our faith in the liturgy of the word, Jesus the Way strengthens our will in the liturgy of the Eucharist and Jesus the Life becomes our food and unites us with himself in Holy Communion.

Alberione received his inspiration from the tabernacle and he divided the Eucharistic visit into three parts in honour of Jesus the Truth, the Way and the Life. In substance, the three parts corresponds to the meditations on the revealed truth, examination of conscience and resolutions, prayers and affections. Alberione applied this method to spiritual exercises and to meditations.

In the examination of conscience the mind, the will and heart are not just examined but they are equally made to be in active participation. It is a search for truth to see how right we are in our spiritual life. The sacrament of reconciliation requires an examination of our thoughts, behaviours, words and actions, and our affections.

In order to be an apostolic organism, the Pauline should bring the unique Master to everything. The Pauline’s are to live and give Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life. In the Pauline apostolate, all modern means can be adopted but the spirit is to make Christ known, loved and followed.

MARY, QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES.

Alberione notes that salvation came to him from Mary. Alberione learned to love Mary form his mother. Alberione’s family background put him in contact with Mary, and he brought it to full development with notable intensity. Alberione has always affirmed in his works the irreplaceable presence of Mary. For him, Mary is the mother of the religious. Alberione insisted that the Pauline venerate Mary under the title of the Queen of the Apostles.it is a filial homage to the patroness of his entire work. Alberione’s perception of Mary begins with this consideration. Alberione wrote and spoke abundantly about Mary. Alberione urges us to approach Mary because it is she who helps us to understand, practice and spread the devotion Jesus the Master, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Alberione built a basilica in the name of Mary Queen of the Apostle and he reserved a particular veneration for her in the Pauline family.

Alberione’s Marian devotions have their roots in the traditional asceticism and mysticism. It is a practical devotion which follows from the teachings of Pope Leo XIII and his successors. For Alberione, Mary has the office of supporting, forming and crowning with fruit the apostles of all times. Alberione had a great trust in Mary. He assigns to her the task of raising up appropriate forms of apostolate. Alberione discovered in Mary the original and perfect realization of apostolate, bringing forth and fostering Christ in people.

ST PAUL THE APOSTLE

Alberione chose Paul as the explicit model of his charism. Alberione left this legacy to the members of the Pauline family. St Paul is the apostle, father, exemplar and founder of the Pauline family. Alberione has a character similar to St Paul. Alberione built a monumental church in Alba in the name of St Paul. Alberione once recorded that he received a miraculous healing through the intercession of St Paul. As a faithful devotee of St Paul, Alberione spoke enthusiastically of him and glorified him in his writings.

Alberione had a trusting love for St Paul and was convinced of Paul’s love for the Pauline family. Alberione wrote that St Paul has always been a salvation in numerous dangers. Alberione treasured his first contact of Paul and kept it alive for the rest of his years. St Paul for Alberione is a source of inspiration and edification. Paul is the Patron saint of all Alberione’s foundations. Although Alberione would always say that Paul himself decided to be the patron.

Alberione’s knowledge of St Paul goes beyond academic; it was that of a founder and a prophet. Alberione’s mission was same as St Paul and he even strived to become Paul alive today. Alberione knew St Paul as a living companion, friend, model and guide. St Paul was Alberione’s constant inspiration. Alberione has quoted St Paul’s letter to the Galatians 2:20 the highest number of times. In St Paul, Alberione found his ideal. Alberione had always recourse to St Paul.

Alberione seemed to say that once a Pauline is always a Pauline, in the sense that anyone who learns how to pray as a Pauline would always live like a Pauline. Alberione was convinced that the Pauline spirit embraces all life both internal and external.

OTHER DEVOTIONS

After his foundation of the society of St Paul, Alberione adopted and restructured the devotions from the seminary of Alba. The devotions are placed in order from Monday to Sunday: St Paul the apostle, souls in purgatory, St Joseph, Guardian Angels, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Queen of the Apostles, and The Divine Master.

Alberione had a special devotion for the souls in purgatory, and dedicated every Tuesday for them. It was a heroic act of charity. Alberione presented St Joseph as the protector of the Pauline brothers and the guardian of the Pauline priests and sisters, being the most docile to divine will, and the model of active and contemplative life. Alberione devoted every Wednesday to St Joseph, aiming at to pray for the dying and to pray for a happy death for ourselves. Alberione devoted every Thursday to the Guardian angels, asking them to defend us from every form of physical and moral dangers, and accompany us on our journey back to heaven for eternity. The guardian angels according to Alberione enlighten, guide, protect and pray for us. Alberione devoted every Friday to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Every devotions of the Pauline family is centered on Jesus the Master. Alberione conceive the devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus and the Divine Master as the highest and most important among all. All the prayers composed by Alberione for the Pauline Family was meant to help us grow in faith, hope, and charity by knowing, imitating and loving Jesus the Divine Master.

In all these devotions, the Pauline meets the supreme Master in his life, and reaches a high level of personal interior development. With all his devotion being focused to the Divine Master, Alberione was never lost in multitude of devotions. All was meant for the Pauline to grow in faithfulness and love to the Divine Master.

THE APOSTOLIC SPIRITUALITY

Alberione often spoke about promoting the good press, concentrating part of our time and energy for the apostolate. Right from the beginning, Alberione had a definite mission for his sons and daughters. Alberione describes the excellence of the apostolate saying that the materials that made up the machines are handiworks of God, and it worked by the marvelous ingenuity that God entrusted to man…

Alberione was convinced that there is no quest for sanctity and no life of service to God unless it is directed in the service of the church and humanity. Alberione’s purpose for instituting a religious congregation with an apostolate of the media was to ensure sanctity of the members and the purity of their apostolic intention. He aimed at a society of people who would love God with their entire mind, strength and all their heart.

The Pauline’s honour Christ as the Master because of the teaching nature of the apostolate of the media. St Paul was chosen as the protector of the Pauline family. And mother Mary is honoured and venerated as Queen of the Apostles, in reference to the apostolate. The apostles were entrusted to her maternal care on Calvary.

However, the apostolate signifies the mission of the apostles. Alberione was deeply aware that the activities of the Pauline are apostolate. Alberione made it clear that the members of the institute are neither merchants nor industrialists but a society of apostles. Alberione insisted on a spiritual formation for all those that work for the apostolate of mass communication. The intimate relationship between apostolate and spiritual life was kept alive in the awareness of the Pauline’s. Alberione did well to assign a sacred function to all means of communication by making them serve the cause of the Gospel. Alberione was genuinely eloquent and vividly enthusiastic about the apostolate of the media. He understood the apostolate of the media as something sacred and sanctifying. He desired that the press should be neat and tidy like the chapel. Alberione insisted that living in communion with God is a necessary condition to be a messenger of God. The excellence of the apostolate depends on the sanctity of the apostle. And he believes that the secret of success in the apostolate is the configuration of the apostle with Christ.

HIS WAY TO SANCTITY

Alberione had a creative and refreshing vision of holiness. The idea of the eternal reward of paradise was so deep and rooted in his mind. He was focused on meeting the needs of the church; he worked, opposing the evil media with the good one. The use of mass media for evangelization is to mobilizing created reality in order that Jesus Christ may be formed in the minds and hearts of people.

Alberione was intent on tending to perfection without half measures. He says that religious life is for sanctification. He was a man of deep prayers. He was conscious of his mission, and conscious of his humane limitations, and a notable characteristic of him is his interest in the insistence on a well-integrated and holistic approach to everything. He applied the principle of integrality to all aspect of human activity. His secret was his trust in God and his humbleness.

THE SPIRITUAL PERSONALITY OF ALBERIONE

Alberione believe in perfection as possible. Alberione had a strong will power, he had a clear vision and keen to his mission. He was so responsible regarding his mission. He developed a God centered personality right from his early age; he was spiritually oriented. He draws his inspiration from history and religion. Alberione was inventive and original.

Alberione sees himself as a miracle of God. He identifies himself with Christ. He was open to the promptings of the spirit and docile to grace. Alberione was pressed forward by the love of Christ. He prompted contemplation and action so well to the best. Alberione made prayer his prior activity, he loved prayer very well. He wakes very early every morning to say his prayers and then the mass. He was totally dedicated to his mission of evangelization. Alberione was such an exceptional person. He carries a strong interior energy.

CONCLUSION

We have much to learn from religious founders because they have received a greater enlightenment from the Holy Spirit. In the case of Alberione, all his activities were the fruits of his zeal. It was his mission to reach out to all people; he equally chose the fastest means for this purpose. He did not exclude any apostolic activity but he has his priorities. Going according to his felt need of collaborators, he founded his religious congregations, the Pauline family, with society of St. Paul as the foster mother of the other congregations. Pope Pius XII approve the congregation on 10 may 1941.

As a founder, Alberione was always conscious of the reality and his place in it, his sense of responsibility sprang from his awareness of the reality around him. He listened to his own inner voice and responded to it with a keen sense of mission, in the light of the voice of God and needs of humanity. Alberione’s speeches to his spiritual children are always veritable cry for Holiness.