Together in the joy of Christmas: Celebration in the Pauline Family with Juniors and Formators

On December 20th, as Juniors of the Pauline Family present in Rome, along with our formators, we met to experience and celebrate the joy of Christmas together. The meeting took place at the general community of the Society of St. Paul, on Via Alessandro Severo, and was a significant moment of communion, fraternity, and formation.

Members of the various Congregations of the Pauline Family were present: the Society of St. Paul, the Daughters of St. Paul, the Pious Disciples, the Apostolines, and ourselves, the Pastorelle Sisters. Together, we shared an intense and meaningful experience, lived under the banner of unity and collaboration.

The meeting opened with the Eucharistic Celebration, celebrated in the Basilica of the Queen of the Apostles. We then received a greeting from Father Domenico Soliman, Superior General of the Society of St. Paul, who emphasized that "together" means helping one another, collaborating, and walking together in the mission that has been or will be entrusted to each of us, as members of the various congregations.

Sr. Anna Maria, Apostoline, coordinated and led the various presentations of the participants. The training session, on the theme "Pauline Consecration as a Precious Gift of Caring and Sharing," was presented by Father Gabriele Maffina, ssp. In his address, he reflected on the gift of life, both for those who give and those who receive, recalling that God is always faithful, rich in infinite resources, yet demanding. The gift He gives to consecrated life is, in fact, that of complete freedom, in the sense that Jesus does not force anyone to follow Him; rather, He leaves us free. He recalled the figures of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, focusing in particular on the vocation of Mary, who responded with full awareness, because for her, God's will was more important than her own life. The vocations of Saint Paul and Blessed James Alberione were also recalled, emphasizing that what unites the journey of these figures is total, unreserved self-giving and a conscious choice.

A special moment was dedicated to the presentation of the Juniors: we shared what it means for us to live Christmas in the Pauline Spirit. Through Christmas carols, the words of the Founder, a "living nativity scene," and the representation of a "living Gospel," the authentic joy of Christmas incarnated in daily life emerged.

The meeting concluded with a message full of hope: every end is a new beginning. Our journey begins from the nativity scene: Juniors in love with the Gospel, living signs of peace, hope, faith, and love, ready to proclaim Christ to today's world.

Sr. Noemia, sr. Leidy, sr. Jacinta, sr. Evelin, sr. Atija,

Juniors sjbp