In
this month of February, we, the Daughters of Saint Paul worldwide, celebrate
with joy two significant events in the life of our co-Foundress, Venerable
Thecla Merlo: her birth anniversary (on February 20); and her death
anniversary (on February 5).
At the age of 21, she accepted the invitation of Blessed James Alberione, our Founder, to form a group of girls who later became known as the Daughters of St. Paul. And on January 22, 1992, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her as Venerable.
Her
inspiring thoughts on Charity: "May charity
reign! And let there be, first of all, charity with our closest neighbor towards
whom we need more patience... Problems are all solved with a little prayer and
by exercising a little charity with the others. If we do not love our neighbor,
neither do we love God... Let us know how to excuse; know how to be
understanding. If we know how to do this, our Lord will excuse and overlook our
failings.”
Her
reflection on Faith in God: "When our thoughts are
fixed on God, when we reflect on His presence, how beautiful our life is! Who
among us can outdo God in generosity? Consider His goodness more than His
justice. Then we will find it very easy to love and serve Him. At times,
we are too preoccupied with ourselves. If we abandon ourselves to God, we would
be more joyful, knowing that we are in the hands of a good Father, who loves us
and disposes everything for our own good."
Let us ask God, through the intercession of Venerable Thecla Merlo, to
instil in us these same virtues that she had lived until her last breath!
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