This article originally appeared in a local paper in Mindanao.
The year 2015 marks the centenary of the foundation of the Daughters of St. Paul in Alba, Italy by a young priest, now Blessed James Alberione. The Sisters carry out a new form of evangelization through the means of social communication, while they live in community, profess the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience and give witness to the Gospel.
The Daughters of St. Paul is second among the ten religious institutes of the Pauline Family founded by Fr. James Alberione. In his homily to the Sisters in Rome in 1954, Fr. Alberione said: “The Pauline Family was raised up by St. Paul to continue his work… He wants us to do what he would do if he were alive today. And what would he do if he were alive today? He would use the greatest ‘pulpits’ fashioned by modern progress: the press, cinema, radio, television; the greatest discoveries (to transmit) the doctrine of love and salvation: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
In Davao, the Daughters of St. Paul were able to make some programs for this centenary. A special TV-Mass over ABS-CBN was celebrated on June 14, 2015, Sunday, with a guest priest from Manila, Fr. Rollin Flores, SSP. In his homily he gave the reason for the success of the works of the Daughters of St. Paul in 52 countries throughout the world. He said that is because of God’s wonderful grace given to every member of the congregation by praying the “Secret of Success,” a prayer taught to them by the Founder. It can be encapsulated as follows: Trust in Jesus’ words,” Whatever you ask the Father in my name, you will receive it.” We see that we are very weak, ignorant, incapable and inadequate in every way: in spirit, in knowledge and in poverty…” and so we depend solely on you, our Divine Master the Way, the Truth and the Life…”
On the day itself, June 15 Monday, there was the Eucharistic Celebration in San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City, which was presided by Most Rev, Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, with about ten concelebrating priests. In his homily Bishop Valles said that this 100-year- celebration is also a celebration of the whole Church, because the Daughters of St. Paul are working for the Church and in the Church. He congratulated the sisters, though very few, were able to reach many people through the apostolate of bringing Christ to all through the social means of communication. “I commend all of you for bringing the Word of God through your bookstores, radio and TV programs, book missions, family and office visitations – to any place where the people are in the Philippines and abroad.”
In Davao alone the Daughters of St. Paul carry out: Bible distribution missions; Media Literacy Education; TV-Mass over ABS-CBN for the sick, ”Banquet of Love” every Sunday at 6:00 A.M.; the use of radio and social media; the diffusion of books and media materials in their Media Center and other media projects done in Mindanao.
Most Rev. Romulo Valles, Archbishop of Davao.
Sr. Consolacion Ducusin, superior of the FSP Davao community.
The huge banner for the FSP centennial.
Sr. Grace and Sr. Elpie at the offertory procession.
FSP Davao community with Pauline Cooperators, Fr. Abet, SSP, their friends and benefactors.
Pauline Sisters with Bishop Valles and concelebrating priests.
San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City