From November 12 to 20, at the Casa San Paolo of the Daughters of St. Paul in Rome, the spiritual exercises of the Pauline Family took place, a moment of intense prayer, reflection and sharing for about 40 participants representing the various Congregations and associated Institutes. This meeting represented a significant opportunity not only for personal spiritual growth, but also to celebrate an important stage in the history of the Pauline Family.
A 25-Year Journey: The Itinerary of Blessed Alberione
This year was a special celebration, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the itinerary for spiritual exercises based on the work of Blessed James Alberione, Donec formetur Christus in vobis. This itinerary, prepared with dedication by the Pauline Family Team, has accompanied generations of members of the family founded by Blessed Alberione on their journey of conformity to Christ. With this meeting, the Team concludes its service at the national level, an event remembered with gratitude in the final Eucharistic Celebration, during which thanks were given for the precious work done over the years, and the commitment is transformed into an international proposal promoted by the general governments at the disposal of the entire Pauline Family in the world.
The icon of the “Cross of Saint Paul” at the center of the spiritual exercises of the Pauline Family
The Itinerary of the spiritual exercises has found a profound symbolic expression through the enthronement of the icon of the “Cross of Saint Paul”. This choice was intended to highlight in a tangible way the heart of the proposed spiritual path, in particular by connecting it to the mystery of the kenosis of Christ, as emerges in the hymn of the Letter to the Philippians: a voluntary and total lowering that becomes announcement and testimony.
Fr. Boguslaw Zeman, Vicar General of the Society of Saint Paul, is the creator of the icon that was written by the iconographer Hanna Dabrowska-Certa for the centenary of the foundation of the ssp and wandered for twelve months among the 12 Pauline communities present in Poland.
In the rite of enthronement of the icon, Fr. Boguslaw explained to the exercisers the profound meaning of the representations that compose it. The icon remained at the center of the Chapel for the entire duration of the exercises as an invitation to internalize the Pauline mystery and nourished our contemplation of the Person of Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord, the essence of Paul's Gospel and the mission of the Church. In it, every visual element speaks of the call to conform to Christ, in the imitation of his humility, in tireless mercy and in full identification with his life.
A Moment of Celebration: The First Religious Profession
During the final Eucharistic Celebration, we shared the joy of the First Religious Profession of Eugenio Festa, who consecrated himself as a member of the Pauline Institute "San Gabriele Arcangelo". This event enriched the last day of the exercises, underlining the link between spiritual formation and the vocational response within the Pauline Family.
The Theme of the Exercises: "Conformed to Christ, We Proclaim Him"
The guiding thread of the exercises, "Conformed to Christ, We Proclaim Him", guided the daily reflections and celebrations. The theme, deeply rooted in Pauline spirituality, was developed through the meditations of Sister Francesca Pratillo fsp, biblical scholar, and Don Guido Colombo, Pauline priest and Provincial Vicar of the Society of Saint Paul in Italy.
Sister Francesca Pratillo studied Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, emphasizing how the concept of kenosis – Christ’s voluntary abasement for the love of humanity – must be at the center of the life of every Pauline apostle. This kenosis, a model of life for every Christian, finds its full expression in the imitation of Christ.
Don Guido Colombo commented on selected passages from Blessed Alberione’s work Apostolato stampa (1933), highlighting how the effectiveness of the Pauline apostolate is linked to a profound conformation to the Divine Master. Only by rooting themselves in Christ, in fact, can every son and daughter of Blessed Alberione find the strength and authenticity to live the apostolate.
The Eighth World Day for the Poor
Another significant moment of the exercises was the celebration of the Eighth World Day for the Poor, an occasion to reflect on the charism of the Pauline Family of service and solidarity. During this day, the participants collected offerings for the poor seminarians welcomed at the Saint Paul Seminary Foundation in Sylang, Philippines. This gesture of sharing reminded us how Pauline spirituality always translates into concrete actions of love towards those most in need.
Conclusion: A Life Rooted in Kenosis
The central theme of the exercises, kenosis, ran through every moment of the days spent together. The imitation of the Divine Master, who became a servant out of love, was recognized as the soul of the Pauline apostolate. This call united all the participants in the desire to live a life more deeply conformed to Christ, in order to be able to proclaim him with authenticity and effectiveness.
This year's spiritual exercises were not only a time of prayer, but also an opportunity to renew apostolic and community commitment, enriched by the wise guidance of the interventions and the strong spirit of fraternity that characterized the entire experience.
A special thanks goes to all those who contributed to making these exercises a moment of growth and celebration, with a special thought of gratitude to the Pauline Family Team for its faithful and generous service over the last twenty-five years.
Don Guido Colombo, ssp
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