St. John's Adoration Chapel

St. John's Adoration Chapel
"Do Not Fear: I am with you. From here I will cast light Be sorry for sin."

Sunday, November 29, 2015

November 30, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 30
ST ANDREW, APOSTLE
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Rom 10: 9-18
Ps 19: 8-11
Mt 4: 18-22


Let us make our lives a succession of "yes's" up to the end when the Lord will say to us: "Enter into the joy of the Lord!"

From Father Tom: Can't speak fro your, but personally, I want to enter into the work of the Lord. I thank Him for so many blessings and graces and I want to prove that I am really thankful!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Carlo Staurenghi IJP (1988)--Bro Miguel Alfaro SSP (1996)--Sr. M. Elvira Benedetti FSP (2003)--Sr. Michael Sisko FSP (2007)--Pasquaiina Barone HFI (2010)--Fr. John Zieman OSB (No year given)--Sr. Annalisa Casati AP (2012).

November 29, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, November 29
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Jer 33: 14-16
Ps 25: 4-14
1 Thes 3: 12-4: 2
Lk 21: 25028, 34-36


The liturgy prepares us for a closer contemplation of the life of Jesus, for a better understanding of the mysteries of our faith, for a greater desire for perfection and sanctity (BM 522).

From Father Tom: The Founder seems to be speaking not of ceremonies in Church with music and song, but rather of the choice of Readings and the meaning of Feasts. But do these in fact prepare Catholics for "a greater desire for perfection and sanctity?" Over to you.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Basilia Bianco FSP (1988)--Bro Bernardo Gugole SSP (1995)--Maria Dotti IAM (1996)--Sr. M. Marcella Catani FSP (2000)--Sr.M. Caterina Marcazzen FSP (2001)--Bro Luciano Melchioro SSP (2004)--Sr. M. Timotea Higashiseto FSP (2008)--Bro Fernando Tommaselli SSP (2008)--Sr. M. Bronislawa Suchora PD(2008)--Sr. M. Angiolina Caramori FSP (2009)--Olympia Dato (2013)--Sr. M. Ester Marin PD (2012)

Friday, November 27, 2015

November 28, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, November 28
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 7: 15-27
(Ps) Dn 3: 82-87
Lk 21: 34-36


The title "Queen of Apostles" is at the head of all her titles, after that of the Divine Maternity. Everything that Mary received was aimed at preparing her for her work as an apostle, including her motherhood: she gave us Jesus (RSP, p 550).

From Father Tom: And -- making the requisite distinctions--everything you and I have received from God was a preparation for our meeting with the Institute and our membership of it. Institute members are very special people, chosen by Providence, called to a unique vocation and twice-blessed for living it well.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Cormariae Brugiolo PD(1995)--Sr. M. Valeria Bonucchi FSP (1998)--Fr. DArio Ansaloni IJP (1999)--Attilio Pauluzzi HFI (2005)--Sr. M. Clelia Arlati PD (2011)--Sr. Giovanna Caprilli FSP (2012)--Fr. Giovanni Zucca IJP (2012)

Thursday, November 26, 2015

November 27, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, November 27
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 7: 2-14
(Ps) Dn 3: 75-81
Lk 21: 29-33


May Mary make us all like Jesus. May she give saints to our Congregation (SP Aug 20, 1940).

From Father Tom: Not visible "saints", but rather members who keep strictly to the Statute and are constantly on the lookout for new people--this last especially. As I write, the campaign earlier in the year was disappointing, so we must go back to the personal touch.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Bartolomeo Brogna SSP (1973)--Sr. M. Raffaella Montanari PD (1974)--Fr. Maggiorino Povero SSP (1981)--Sr. M. Cristina Panarello PD (1988)--Salvatore Orru HFI (1988)--Sr. M. Jose' Garcia SGBP (1997)--Sr. Annunziatina Del Bianco FSP (2000)--REnato Lattanzio HFI (2000)--Fr. Giovanni Battista Manfredi SSP (2005=4)--Bro Augustin Kalpakacherry SSP (2005)--Bro Paolo Zantedeschi SSP (2006)--Robert Converse (1998)

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving


I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving full of every blessing and good thing, and surrounded by family friends and loved ones.  

God bless...

November 26, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, November 26
BLESSED FATHER ALBERIONE 
THANKSGIVING DAY
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 6: 12-28
(Ps) Dn 3: 68-74
Lk 21: 20-28


All the Saints were workers and they gave pride of place to interior work (self-correction) and this produced fruit of wonderful, beneficial, and marvelous activity, for the good of humanity, and aroused universal admiration (SP Jan 1954).

From Father Tom: Here many different comments are possible.  Perhaps the most important is that many Saints did not produce the visible fruit the Founder has in mind, but they certainly produced. St. Therese (the Little Flower") is a vivid example.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Alfonso Bau' SSP (1973)--MAria Arena IAM (1977)--Antonio Marchi HFI (1995)--Rosa Angelico I AM (2002)--Betty Rice IAM (2004)--Giuseppina Ferrara I AM (2008)--Gertrude Graff (1996).

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

November 25, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, November 25
ST CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGIN,
MARTYR
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 5: 1-6, 13-17, 23-28
(Ps) 3: 62-67
Lk 21: 12-19


Of great merit and of immense good is the courage to undertake big things for the Lord, the Church, souls, society, the poor (BM p. 223).

From Father Tom: And there are good people who dedicate their time and their lives to living in this generous way. Unfortunately, in our day, they reverse and shorten the list, putting the poor and society first and ignoring the other issues which are much more important.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Crescentina Miatello PD (1974)--Sr. M. Benigna Bonfiglio PD (1994)--Rita Costamagna HFI (1999)--Sr. M. Celina Buccello PD (2004)--Sr. Santina M. Agular Ferreira FSP (2005)--Sr. Elisabetta Tiberii FSP (2005)--Sr. M. Rosaria Pace FSP (2011)--Sr. M. Beata Michalczyk PD (2012)--Fr. Antonio Righetti IJP (2013).

Monday, November 23, 2015

November 24, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, November 24
ST ANDREW DUNG-LAC, PRIEST, AND 
COMPANIONS, MARTYRS
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 2: 31-45
(Ps) 3: 57-61
Lk 21: 5-11


Let us think about eternity. Eternity, a word that we pronounce in the blink of an eye, but which means a duration without end (RSP, p. 20).

From Father Tom: Here again we need to stop and think. It is not a "neutral" duration without end, but one that is either total happiness or total despair and suffering. The tragedy today is the number who die, many of them suddenly and all too many totally unprepared. Why are our members not practicing and promoting more the "Save the Dying" Association?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Tarcisia Genovesi PD (1936)--Sr. carla Torchi FSP (1995)--Sr. M. Maurizia (2006)--Sr. M. Rosalba Nota (2010)--Eleanor McParland (1990)--M. Silvana Trono HFI (2012)--Sr. M. Yolanda Herrera PD (2012).

Sunday, November 22, 2015

November 23, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 23
SR CLEMENT I, POPE, MARTYR
ST COLUMBAN, ABBOT
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 1: 1-20
(Ps) 3: 52-56
Lk 21: 1-4


For some time deep and peaceful meditation regarding the Last Things had been lacking and this explains a lot. There are still too many words, too many thoughts that do not conform to religion and to things religious (RSP, p. 18)

From Father Tom: Seems to apply to a specific situation but it was never more relevant than in our own time. What sort of Religious have we today? Old men and women who keep on dazedly asking what happened to the roaring fifties and sixties, middle-aged people who are too few to ensure a vibrant apostolate...and a marked absence of younger people. The "Last Things" are truly the last things that concern them.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Giuseppe Rongoni (1985)--Emilia Monaldi HFI (2005)--F.r Rosario Esposito SSP (2007)--Sr. Marina De Matos Silveira FSP (2010)--C. Y. Palitz (2000)--Sr. Lucia Dal Corso FSP (2011)

November 22, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, November 22
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF 
THE UNIVERSE
Dn 7: 13-14
Ps 93: 1-5
Rv 1: 5-8
Jn 18: 33-37


Jesus Christ reigns over minds, His kingdom of truth, and we must give Him the homage of our intelligence, believing in His every word.

From Father Tom: And we do_talking about the rules of good living that He gave us. In general. For other people. But when the rule comes to our house and we have to continue believing in spite of contrary evidence. We need plenty of prayer.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Teresa Raballo FSP (1980)--Cetulio Rosaverde HFI (1984)--S.r Emanuela Ferrari SGBP (1993)--S.r M. Cecily Nirappel PD (2003)--Sr. Santina Bettega SGBP (2008)--Concetta Milazo HFI (2008)--Sr. Paola Maria Giaconi FSP (2011)--Fr. Mariano Betti IJP (2011)--Fr. Matsuo Paolo Nakamura SSP (2012)

Friday, November 20, 2015

November 21, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, November 21
THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED 
VIRGIN MARY
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
1 Mc 6: 1-13
Ps 9: 2-6; 16-19
Lk 20: 27-40


The Virgin, as a young girl and then as a young woman, allowed herself to be guided by God in everything. And God, not encountering any resistance, was able to make her the worthy mother of the incarnate Word, the coredemptrix and the Queen of the Apostles.

From Father Tom: "Not encountering any resistance." What a key attitude to have--and how hard it is to have. "Blessed be the will of God.." Easy to say, but how difficult to accept. Don't we all have innocent and helpful plans for our future...and what a pain when Providence proposes differently.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Carmel Castella FSP (1965)--Bro Gioacchino Imbruglia SSP (1988)--Sr. M. Eulalia Zinnamosca PD (1991)--Sr. M. Cecilia Sorrento FSP (1992)--Bruno Squaratti Gabrielite (1995)--Sr. Carmela Castella FSP (1975)--Bro. Giocacchino Imbruglia SSP -- Paolo Richard SSP (1999)--Fr. Bruno Minelli IJP (2000)--Sr. Gemma M. Orsina FSP (2005)--Sr. M. Graziana Lo Scialpo FSP (2008)--Adam Burnieika (1937)--Angelo Mangiere (1964)--Joseph Ricciutti (2005)--Sharon J. McPeck (2009)--M. Adreia (Ada D'Ambrosio IAM (2012)--Fr. Sergio Cinelli IJP (2012)--Mons. Giovanni Lo Iacono IJP  (2012)

Thursday, November 19, 2015

November 20, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, November 20
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
1 Mc 4: 36-37, 52-59
1 Chr 29: 10-12
Lk 19: 45-48


God alone is our judge, and his judgment is that which truly counts (BM p 224).

From Father Tom: A very useful practice is to put oneself in spirit before the Master, try to remember what we have done wrong and what His judgment on that wrong might be. And what we have done right? That we must try to forget!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Bartolomea Vivian FSP (1984)--Fr. Felice Bonicco SSP (1988)--Fr. Alberto Desiati IJP (1991)--Sr. M. Aparecida Ziglio FSP (2005)--Fr. Sergio Bruno IJP (2006)--S.r Bernardetta Aprea FSP (2009)--Sr. Giuseppina Manger SGBP (2010)--Fr. Peter Higgins (2012).

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

November 19, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, November 19
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
1 Mc 2: 15-29
Ps 50; 1-6, 14-15
Lk 19: 41-44


Jesus Christ reigns over hearts; His is a kingdom of love, and men must focus on Him their affections and aspirations (BM p. 695).

From Father Tom: "Affection" is not necessarily "feeling" (which can be misleading) but is mostly a deep awareness of who Jesus is and of how much we have received from Him. The "heart" is not to be relied on excessively.  

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Vincenza Vassena FSP (1987)--Sr. M. Giuseppina Corem FSP (1997)--Sr. Cecilia Leonardi FSP (2000)--Sr. M. Amabile Girlanda PD (2002)--Paulino Albano (1984)--Marilyn Fortuna (1972)--ANdrew L. Boado (no year)--Marilyn Fortuna (1972)--AntonioMazzon Gabrelite (2011)

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

November 18, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, November 18
DEDICATION OF THE BASILICAS OF SS PETER
AND PAUL, APOSTLES
ST ROSE PHILLIPINE DUCHESNE, VIGIN
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
2 Mc 7: 1, 20-31
Ps 17: 1-8, 15
Lk 19: 11-28


The most important virtue is charity and the flower of charity is sweetness (FSP 41, p. 126).

From Father Tom: Sweetness? Well, yes, but perhaps most of us perfer goodness, patience and understanding. The Founder was anything but sweet if what we read bout him is true.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Paolina De Luca PD (1965)--Sr. M. Claudia Gioda PD (1985)--Fr. Sergio Gallera SSP (1998)--Francesco Ugenti HFI (1998)--Natalia Loera (2008)--Sr. M. Anselmina Perazzini PD (2013)--Gail Janice Blackshear IAM (2013)

Monday, November 16, 2015

November 17, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, November 17
ST ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY, RELIGIOUS
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
2 Mc 6: 18-31
Ps 3: 2-7
Lk 19: 1-10


Fortitude is the virtue that ensures our perseverance (APD 1961, 181).

From Father Tom: Sanctity is anything but "soft". It has pleasant moments, anticipations of our eternity, but-come to think of it-how pleasant was the Master's life? Very ordinary in Nazareth, very frustrated in the rest of Palestine and eventually very painful.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Felice Stevezzoli SSP (1930)--Sr. M. Antonia Tommastello PD (1995)--Sr. M. Fidelis Suaybaguloj FSP (1999)--Sr. Angiolina Giacca (Giacaz) FSP (2005)--Sr. M. Concetta Messina PD (2008)--Fr. Giuseppe Soro (2009)--Fr. Peter Lenehan (1991)

Sunday, November 15, 2015

November 16, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 16
ST MARGARET OF SCOTLAND
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Mc 1: 10-15, 41-63
Ps 119: 53, 134, 150-158
Lk 18: 35-43


Everything that disturbs does not come from God because God is peace. 

From Father Tom: True, but He uses disturbances to obtain good effects--like surgery which no on e wants but makes us feel so good.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Metilde Betocchi PD (1956)--Sr. Bice Riva FSP (1988)--Fr. Giuseppe Fossato SSP (1991)--Sr. M. Timotea Barcia FSP (1995)--Sr. M. Emilia Molasch FSP (1996)--Fr. Jose' Carlos Feliciana SSP (1996)--Fr. Vincenzo Afeltra IJP (1997)--Frnacesco Badellino HFI (2005)--Fr. Wilfred Paschen IJP (2006)--Chuck Foughty (2005)--Henry Palmer (2011)--Fr. Valentino Grosso SSP (2013)--Sr. Corinna Leone FSP (2013).

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Pray for the People of Paris, Pray for the People of France


Pray for the People of Paris. Pray for the People of France. Pray for the whole world.

I woke up to the very sad new that Paris had been attacked. Over a hundred people are said to have died so far and over a hundred more wounded.  Please keep the people of Paris and of France in your prayers and pray for the conversion of those behind the attacks.

From Fox News:

November 15, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, November 15
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Dn 12: 1-3
Ps 16: 5-11
Heb 10: 11-18
Mk 13: 24-32


Human life is brief, but in it man builds up his eternity (BM p. 661).

From Father Tom: A simple but yet awesome sentence. How sad that most people don't know what life is about and (including us) make very uncertain preparation of it.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Tecla Tomiko FSP (2005)--Sr. Romilde Barbarti FSP (2008)

Friday, November 13, 2015

November 14, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, November 14
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Wis 18: 14-16; 19: 6-9
Ps 105: 2-3, 36-43
Lk 17: 18: 1-8


Prayer is the all-power element in extreme human weakness.

From Father Tom: And for most people--including us--it may well be the last thing we have recourse to in difficulties--showing that we are (as recommended) trying to remain united to God always.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Nazarena Ricciardi PD (1945)--Fr. Generoso Crisci IJP (1997)--Sr. Antonia Cerri FSP (2000)--Jose' Nieto Rodriguez HFI (2005)--Sr. M. Franca Fanelli PD (2007)--Juan Mendez Albornoz HFI (2007)--Sr. Jacyra M. Izabel da Silva SGBP (2009)--Sr. M. Immaculata Isnardi FSP (2010)--Sr. M. Ildefonsa Bianchi PD (2012)

Thursday, November 12, 2015

November 13, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, November 13
ST FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI, VIRGIN
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Wis 13: 1-9
Ps 19: 2-5
Lk 17: 26-37


The ups and downs of this our exile must not make us cool in the service of God, but render us ever more faithful and fervent (Le preghiere della Famiglia Paolina, p. 214)

From Father Tom: To correspond to this directive what we need most of all is Faith but also realism. The consecrated life is not necessarily easier than the unconsecrated and we are all consecrated by Baptism anyway. so let's say "Thank you" to everything the Lord sends.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Virginia Cantarutti FSP (1934)--Msgr. Giovanni Rizzo IJP (1980)--Sr. Gennarina Dalla Nora FSP (1983)--Ubaldo Pasqualini HFI (2010)--Sr. Paoloa Pradel SJBP (2010)

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

November 12, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, November 12
ST JOSAPHAT, BISHOP, MARTYR
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Wis 7: 22-3:1
Ps 119: 89091, 130-135
Lk 17: 20-25


To work, to suffer, to pray, to do everything to reach heaven and to increase in virtue leads to strengthening in hope (BM p. 203).

From Father Tom: Or, you might say, hope leads to these great things.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Innocenza Morando PD (1941)--Sr M. Zita Lombardo PD (2001)--Fr. Aldo Galliano SSP (2003)--Sr. M. Carmela Biochini FSP (2004)---Sr. M. Gemma Viberti PD (2010)--Fr. Joseph F. Schax SJ (2002)--Sr. M. Josephine Sumobay PD(2011)

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

November 11, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, November 11
ST MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Wis 6: 1-11
Ps 82: 3-7
Lk 17: 11-19


There is no sign of salvation more certain than a faithfully-lived religious life (FSP 47, p 506).

From Father Tom: (Can't add anything to that!)

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Luke Rocca SSP (1983)--Fr. Arcadio Huerta SSP (1970)--Sr. M. Grazia Ozenda FSP (1980)--Fr. Quito Cesanelli SSP (1986)--Fr. Gian Pietro Scaglioni SSP (2006)--Leonardo Messina HFI (2007)--Cll. Marcos Aurelio Gomes SSP (2008)--Sr. M. Lucina Vacchiano PD (2010)--Edward Tulley (2002)

Monday, November 9, 2015

November 10, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and Father Tom

Tuesday, November 10
ST LEO THE GREAT, POPE, DOCTOR OF
THE CHURCH
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Wis 2: 23-3:9
Ps 34: 2-3, 16-19
Lk 17: 7-10


If the thought of the end of each of us, of the examples of Jesus Christ and, in general, of Christian teaching is habitual and felt, it will be easy to become holy (BM 255).

From Father Tom: We've got away from the Council but the thought is very relevant for all times and all places.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Nunziatina Miceli PD (1979)--Pierfracesco Bossetti HFI (1985)--Sr M. Ludovica Pilotti PD (1988)--Olivia Herrera HFI (1995)--Sr. Costanza Gandolfo FSP (1998)--Sr M. Cordis Drudi PD (2008)--Sr. M. Antonietta Audisio FSP (2010)--Oscar Prieto Pisoni HFI (2010)--Faustino O. Villanueva (1983)--Martha Miller HFI (2002)--Sr. Gaetana Seffino FSP (2011)--Fr. Giacomo Meo IJP (2011)

Sunday, November 8, 2015

I Pray, not Wish


November 9, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 9
THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
Ez 47: 1-12
Ps 46: 2-9
1 Cor 3: 9-17
Jn 2: 13-22


Let us have trust in the Conciliar Fathers, assisted by the Holy Spirit, immense trust in the head of the Council, to whom has been entrusted by Jesus Christ the task of confirming His brothers..to him, the Vicar of Christ, the visible Rock of the mystical edifice, the instrument of unity and solidarity, our gratitude, devotion and love (SP Sep/Dec 1964).

From Father Tom: The Founder was especially devoted to the Pope of the Council. Paul VI, who had known us an our work for many years, especially while he was archbishop of Milan. We will continue this good practice also with the present Holy Father.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Egidia Marengo FSP (1968)--Renata Tosoni IAM (1996)--Rosaria Giannecchini FSP (1998)--Fr. Eleazar Jimenez SSP (1999)--Fr. Joseph Parella SSP (2009)--Nancy Carmichael (2005)--Elizabeth Martinez Bujol (1954).

Blessed Giaccardo


Blessed Giaccardo 



On August 20, 1914, just a year before Joseph began his brief military career, the young Fr. Alberione had laid the fragile foundations of the future Pauline Family. We recall that he had heard the voice of God during his four-hour vigil before the Blessed Sacrament but for several years he did not know exactly how to respond. Then he became aware that the enemies of the Church were using - misusing would be a better word - the Press to stir up anticlericalism not only among the uneducated people but even among the younger and less experienced clergy. Suddenly the call of God became much clearer. Be it ever so humble, he would make an effort to respond with the truth to the lies circulating in the secular Press. And so he began his life’s work in some rented rooms, with second-hand machines and some pressroom operators who volunteered their time for a brief period to teach the rudiments of the trade to the two young men he had recruited to help him.

Meanwhile Joseph was in the Seminary making spiritual and intellectual progress on his way to the regular Diocesan priesthood but also beginning to learn that his Spiritual Director (Fr. Alberione) had some new and interesting ideas which he had in fact already begun to put into practice. The young student came to understand more clearly the urgent needs of the Church at the time and he saw that there was an alternative to ministry in the Diocese, Fr. Alberione did not invite any of the students to join him - that would have been very much out of line with his mandate to prepare priests for the regular priestly ministry - but inevitably his deepest convictions revealed themselves. In the course of his classes on Church history, he underlined the grave problems of the day not just in Italy but in many other nations and the need to find new methods of confronting them.

No one listened to these lectures with more attention and interest than Joseph. We know this because the young student was, we might almost say, an obsessive “diarist.” We have heard some modern writers described as people “who have not an unpublished thought.'” So, in a sense, was Joseph. His diaries - no less than eighty-plus copybooks and a multitude of other pieces of paper, go back to his seminary days and in many cases, give the story of the early days of the Pauline Family which Fr. Alberione certainly would never have written.

But mostly they give “the story of a soul.” Already on February 9, 1917, he wrote:

Thanks be to God and to Mary. I see with increasing clarity that this epoch of the Press can help the Church to triumph. 1 see that I am called to be an Apostle and my place will be in the Religious Congregation for the Good Press.

And on February 22, he wrote:

I feel growing with in me a strong spirit of prayer, of lively faith and of confidence in Jesus in the Eucharist, Former of clerics. I feel a passion for humility, for humiliations and for sacrifice

I see more clearly and I am much more impressed by my mission for the Apostolate of the Press and I feel more enthusiastic about it.

He has a number of similar references under this date but then come lines referring to his other great interest: spiritual progress.

Above all I feel the need to abandon myself to Mary, to humble myself, to purify myself. . . yes, my God, I tremble as I become aware of my pride ... I am afraid that my pride may impede your action in me, preventing you from forming me as you wish . . . and if that should happen, how much less good I might do. Jesus, I tremble at the thought that my pride might send me to hell. Will I follow you, Jesus, will I be faithful. . ? I trust in you and in Mary.

As the month passes, Joseph feels that he must speak to his spiritual director But he proceeds with prudence

Is God really calling me to the Good Press Congregation? At the natural level I am certain that He is. But it could also be that the Lord is preparing another way for me, something linked to the Press. It is a great work in the Church calling for extraordinary sacrifices.

But then comes a question with which he wrestled for a long time.

Does the Lord want me an Apostle first of all and then a Priest, or first a Priest and then an Apostle of the Press?

Apostle of the Press, but at the cost of renouncing priestly ordination or an ordained priest who will have the Press as his work? . . . Lord Jesus, give me clarity, information, the ability to renounce. These are your days and we are talking of your glory, of the Church, of countless souls, of my spiritual health. Give me your grace and if a miracle is needed, I ask you for it . . . Jesus, break my pride, I humble myself I cling to Mary. I ask your forgiveness for my sins and I trust you alone, Jesus in the Eucharist, Former of clerics, who died on the cross for me and for the Church.

His interview with the Spiritual Director was somewhat less agitated. Fr. Alberione felt that this young man would be one of his followers but in no way did he wish to impose anything on his conscience. He received him in a kindly way and let him talk. Joseph with great simplicity and a desire to know the will of God told him what the Lord had made him feel in recent months. He showed his understanding and appreciation of the new apostolate and mentioned his strong attraction to it.

But there was a problem. If belonging to the new Congregation meant renouncing the priesthood, then he would have to think again about the Congregation. He felt he could make any sacrifice but not the sacrifice of the priesthood.

Fr. Alberione was non-committal. Fie urged the young man to pray with greater humility and with a deeper sorrow for sin. In fact he knew that renouncing the priesthood was not the issue. The real issue was that Joseph should arrive at that total self- renunciation which is the essential condition if we are to accept the will of God in our lives and live it out faithfully. Joseph accepted this recommendation and even invited some of his special friends among the clerics to pray for the apostolate of writing he would later carry out.

The interview took place on March 4. Among his diary entries for that date we find Joseph writing.

I feel drawn toward the new Congregation but also drawn to the regular Priesthood. My mission: a Priest of the Press and not just an apostle of the Press. I renounce the Congregation rather than renounce the Priesthood and I will settle for a Priest of the ordinary Press. (Perhaps he means a priest who from time to time will write something). Am I fooling myself? I feel before God that I could not renounce ordination ~ everything else I can renounce . . . The Spiritual Director mentioned that ordination is the icing on the cake but it is not absolutely necessary. He didn’t convince me.

On March 7, he writes of his third conference with the Spiritual Director

I have moments of terror : the thought that my whole life might be a mistake, that I might not go where the Lord wants or do all the good he wants me to do — this thought terrifies me; so also the thought that I may ruin myself and not save all the souls that he has entrusted to me

Other paragraphs follow, showing highs and lows, discussions with Fr. Alberione, questions, doubts, and then a growing certainty culminating in this paragraph

O God, I thank You for Your light. I thank St. Paid, St. Joseph, my Guardian Angel, my Mother who obtained this light for me. Thank you for this most noble vocation of which I am totally unworthy; thank you for the extraordinary holiness to which you are calling me Lord. . . make me a a true apostle of the Catholic Press, for the triumph of the Pope, of the Church, of You, my Jesus, in individuals, in families and in society 0 Mary, my Mamma and my all, I am a part of you, you obtained this most special vocation for me and now you must prepare me for it, you must form the new apostles,

On May 17, after his visit to the Bishop to ask permission to leave the Seminary, he writes


The Bishop enquired if, should he not give me permission to leave, would I be prepared not to wear the cassock anymore?

I said I was firmly determined to follow this new vocation but was not sure about the question of the cassock

And, on May 25

The Bishop called me again and said that, if I intended to remain in the clerical state, I would have to remain in the Seminary... he added that with Fr. Alberione I would not be able to become the sort of priest I dreamt about. He also said that Fr. Alberione cannot not be sure that he is doing God’s will but, if I want to, I can go there and see what happens. And if I am not useful to Fr. Alberione I may lose everything. The Bishop also said he found me too excitable to be a journalist and that it looks like Fr. Alberione has hypnotized me. He pointed out that he is saying this for my good. ... His words made an impression and led me to doubt if my vocation was really from God and I almost began to regret that nice life I had had until I began to think of leaving the Seminary

It was a severe test - but only a test because the Bishop was more in favor of the new work than he revealed to Joseph. And so we find Joseph writing on June 4

Saturday evening the Seminary Rector told me that the Bishop had agreed that I could spend the summer vacation with Fr. Alberione and that would help me judge my vocation and when to follow it. The Bishop, however, made it clear that he still would not allow me to be a cleric outside the Seminary.

Meanwhile, however, Fr. Alberione had asked the Bishop to loan him a Seminarian to keep an eye on his boys during the hours when he would still have duties in the Seminary. Not surprisingly, Joseph was chosen and so he tasted Pauline life for the first time while remaining dressed in his cassock! 

~Concord September 2015










Saturday, November 7, 2015

November 8, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, November 8
THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Kgs 17: 10-16
Ps 146: 7-10
Heb 9: 24-28
Mk 12: 38-44


The liturgy is the most fruitful source of grace. It is by its instrumentality that our Head, Jesus,is poured out into His mystical members, the Church (SP Dec 1952).

From Father Tom: Perhaps we might better say that He is "poured out officially" through the liturgy, e.g. the graces of Mass and Communion, the blessing of the Sacraments, the enlightenment shared by a good homilist, etc. Grace, of course, follows us everywhere.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Matthew Kottoor SSP (2001)--Sr. M. Agnesina Stoto PD (2002)--Sr. Luigia M. Cozza FSP (2008)--Maria Pia Saraceno HFI (2010)--Fr. Pietro Garelli SSP (2012)--Kimberly Lynn Carroll HFI (2014)

Friday, November 6, 2015

November 7, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, November 7
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH-
MARY, QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Rom 16: 3-9, 16, 22-27
Ps 145: 2-11
Lk 16: 9-15


The individual who dedicates himself to the Pauline life  must possess a full, interior life (FSP 47, p.403).

From Father Tom: "Full" here seems to mean not only a prayerful personality but one adapted to community life--the two don't always go together. Personally, I enjoy my own company best--hope no one finds out.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Vincenza Ferrei SGBP (1989)--Sr Fulgida Sandrini FSP (1993)--Sr. Rita Dos Santos SGBP (1995)--Ramon Miguel Maturana HFI (1995)--Sr Miriam Guidi FSP (2002)--Sr. M. Consolota Di Ruvo PD (2003)--Fr Aldo Poggi SSP (2004)--Sr. M. Rosalia Rotolo PD (2005)--Stella Ruiz (2003)--Tersita Santiago HFI (2006)--Sr M. Sofia Yokoyama FSP (2011)

Thursday, November 5, 2015

November 6, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, November 6
FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH-
THE SACRED HEART
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Rom 14: 7-12
Ps 27: 1-4, 13-14
Lk 15: 1-10


The first Decree approved by the Vatican Council concerns the liturgy. Prayer is, in fact the first duty of clergy and faithful (SP Dec 1962; SISP p. 324).

From Father Tom: Certainly, but the Founder passes over the intense controversy following the Council as to how to pray: Latin or the vernacular, the same ceremonies or new ones, involvement of the laity and including women(!)...It was quite a divisive document.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Rosaria Russo HFI (1994)--Bro. Aurelio Garcia SSP (1999)--Sr. M. Januacoeli Presti PD (2004)--Sr. Giuseppina Franci SGBP (2008)--Sr. M. Annunziata Spada FSP (2009)--Anna A. Burnieika (1996)--Salvatore Tosciri HFI (2012)

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

November 5, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, November 5
FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH-
THE ANGEL GUARDIANS
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Rom 14: 7-12
Ps 27: 1-4, 13-14
Lk 12: 1-10


Liturgy in church is a symbol, an anticipation and a means (to prepare for) the ineffable heavenly celebration. Those who love beautiful celebrations, sacred chant and ceremonies, those who really understand the spirit of the liturgy (SP Dec 1952, II). 

From Father Tom: Seems self-evident except that the "heavenly literature" requires perfect participants ant that's what we have to be now--not just good singers or graceful performers.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Giovenale Pistone SSP (1979)--Sr. Lucia Capra FSP (1985)--Sr.  Luisa Toninello FSP (2007)--Fr. Ampelio Biancon SSP (2012)--Sr. M. Veritas Mattuzzi FSP (2012)--Sr. M. Palma Ianuale PD (2013)

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

November 4, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, November 4
ST CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOP
FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH-
ST JOSEPH
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Rom 13: 8-10
Ps 112: 1-9
Lk 14: 25-33


Life must be a continuous effort to arrive at the love of God: eternity is near and eternity is love (FSP 46, p. 214).

From Father Tom: "Love of God," of course, is mostly in our wills: doing the right ting no matter the cost and continuing to do it. If we "feel" good about what we are doing...so be it. But doing without "feeling" is much safer.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Leandra ianezzola PD (1969)--Sr. M. Ilaria Formento PD (1973)--Fr. Angelo Omarini SSP (1995)--Sr. Giovanna Vaschetto FSP (1996)--Fr. Giacomo Yu SSP (2004)--Luigia Meo HFI (2006)--Sr. M. Assunta Carducci FSP (2007)--Sr. M. Leonina Dogliani PD (2007)--Louis A. Pizzi (1997)

Monday, November 2, 2015

November 3, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, November 3
ST MARTIN De PORRES, RELIGIOUS
FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH-
THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Rom 12:5-16
Ps 131: 1-3
Lk 14: 15-24


God's gift, par excellence, is life. We shall be judged on the ue we have made of it (BM p. 107).

From Father Tom: And in our case, of the way we have lived the Pauline life as well. There is always the temptation either to grow careless generally (involves a double sin) or to dabble in other spiritualties (waste of time and a sign of pride).

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Chiara Sialtarin PD (1993)--Sr. M. Alessandra Kim PD (2003)--Adrenaline Mendiola (2005)

Sunday, November 1, 2015

November 2, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 2
THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL
DEPARTED (ALL SOULS DAY)
FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH-
ST PAUL
Wis 3: 1-9
Ps 23: 1-6
Rom 5: 5-11
Jn 6: 37-40


Through her acceptance of pain an death, the soul becomes strong in virtue and directs herself during life to our goal: heaven. (BM p. 419).

From Father Tom: The love of God plans salvation for each of us and that includes a specific preparation to enter Paradise immediately after death. Let's ensure that this happens by total acceptances and reverses of life.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Di Giovannantonio SSP (1985)--Sr. Lorenzina Franco SGBP (1995)--Sr. M. Teresa Tosi FSP (2012)