Founders

Founders

Blessed James Alberione
On 31 December, 1900, during a special night of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the young seminarian James Alberione felt called and inspired to serve God and the people of the new century.

Following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr James' initial inspiration gradually became clearer and, under his direction, a group of young boys began to use the press to spread the Gospel. Their first publication was the Gazzette d'Alba, a local church newspaper. This marked the birth of the Society of St Paul in 1914.

By the time of his death in 1971, Fr James Alberione had founded five religious congregations, four lay institutes and the Union of Pauline Cooperators. Together these make up what we call the Pauline Family - rich and diverse family of religious sisters, brothers and priests as well as consecrated families, single women and men, and committed lay cooperators in mission

Fr James Alberione was declared Blessed by John Paul II on 27 April, 2002.

Here he is, humble, silent, tireless, contained in his thoughts, which flows from prayer to work, always ready to read the signs of the times. Our Father Alberione has given the Church new instruments to express herself, new means to give vigor and new breadth to its apostolic mission… May the Pope, in the name of the whole Church, express its gratitude.
- Pope Paul VI, 28 June, 1969

Venerable Tecla Merlo
Teresa Merlo first met Fr James Alberione on 27 June, 1915. She agreed to collaborate with him and to help give life to his apostolic vision. From that time on, with tremendous faith and untiring trust, Teresa, who took the religious name of Tecla, assisted him not only in the foundation and formation of the Daughters of St Paul, but also with each of the other Congregations of the Pauline Family and Fr James' many different apostolic works.

Sr Tecla’s example and courage, her intelligent and wise collaboration with Fr James, and her loving guidance of the sisters in her care won her the respect and love of all those who knew her. She died on 5 February, 1964, and the Church proclaimed her "Venerable" on 22 January, 1991.

Sr Tecla was one of the first followers of Fr Alberione and she played a fundamental role in his foundation project. She was one of the first nine young women to make their religious profession of vows in 1922 in the hands of Fr James as Founder of the Institute.

Fr Alberione appointed Maestra Tecla as Superior General of the feminine branch of his 'house' and, when the foundation received diocesan approval in 1929, she was given the title Prima Maestra (which translates as 'First Teacher').