Blessed James Alberione
"...the first apostle of the new evangelisation."
--Blessed Pope John Paul II
Birthplace: Cuneo, Northern Italy
Date: 4 April 1884
Died: 26 November 1971
Beatified on 27 April 2003.
On 31 December 1900, during a special night of prayer before the Eucharist, the young seminarian, James Alberione felt himself called to serve God and the people of the new century.
During that night, he resolved to do something new and wonderful for the Church of the Twentieth Century.
During that night, he resolved to do something new and wonderful for the Church of the twentieth century. At the time, many were complaining about the "evils" of the bad "press" and an idea gradually arose in his fertile mind that the press should be utilized for good and the human spirit nurtured by the truth and wisdom of the Gospel. From then on, this invitation transformed and gave specific direction to his future life as a priest, apostle, and communicator of Christ.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, his call gradually became clearer, and a group of young boys under his direction began publishing the diocesan newspaper in Alba, Gazzette d'Alba. It was the beginnings of the apostolate of the press to spread the gospel.
Thus in 1914, the Society of St. Paul was born. A year later, he founded a similar group for women, the Daughters of St. Paul. His ideal, like that of St. Paul, was universal--all the means of modern communications were to be used so that all people would hear the Gospel. For this extraordinary mission, new apostles were needed (both men and women) who could dedicate themselves entirely to this service.
By the time of his death in 1971, Fr. James Alberione had founded ten institutes that are known today as the Pauline Family. On 20 December 2002, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree for the beatification of Fr. James Alberione. His beatification took place on 27 April, 2003 at St. Peter's Square in Rome.
"No greater wealth can be given to this poor and proud world, than Jesus Christ. The world has need of Jesus Christ Way, Truth and Life." Blessed James Alberione
--Blessed Pope John Paul II
Birthplace: Cuneo, Northern Italy
Date: 4 April 1884
Died: 26 November 1971
Beatified on 27 April 2003.
On 31 December 1900, during a special night of prayer before the Eucharist, the young seminarian, James Alberione felt himself called to serve God and the people of the new century.
During that night, he resolved to do something new and wonderful for the Church of the Twentieth Century.
During that night, he resolved to do something new and wonderful for the Church of the twentieth century. At the time, many were complaining about the "evils" of the bad "press" and an idea gradually arose in his fertile mind that the press should be utilized for good and the human spirit nurtured by the truth and wisdom of the Gospel. From then on, this invitation transformed and gave specific direction to his future life as a priest, apostle, and communicator of Christ.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, his call gradually became clearer, and a group of young boys under his direction began publishing the diocesan newspaper in Alba, Gazzette d'Alba. It was the beginnings of the apostolate of the press to spread the gospel.
Thus in 1914, the Society of St. Paul was born. A year later, he founded a similar group for women, the Daughters of St. Paul. His ideal, like that of St. Paul, was universal--all the means of modern communications were to be used so that all people would hear the Gospel. For this extraordinary mission, new apostles were needed (both men and women) who could dedicate themselves entirely to this service.
By the time of his death in 1971, Fr. James Alberione had founded ten institutes that are known today as the Pauline Family. On 20 December 2002, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree for the beatification of Fr. James Alberione. His beatification took place on 27 April, 2003 at St. Peter's Square in Rome.
"No greater wealth can be given to this poor and proud world, than Jesus Christ. The world has need of Jesus Christ Way, Truth and Life." Blessed James Alberione