Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"Be progressive! 

Feel the impulse in Christ and in the Church--- 

always straining forward, like Paul, the traveler of God!" 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"Be progressive! 

Feel the impulse in Christ and in the Church--- 

always straining forward, like Paul the traveler of God!" 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

To everyone, happy Feast of Blessed James Alberione!

Venerable Thecla Merlo: a Woman of Charity and Faith in God

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!

Venerable Thecla Merlo as testified by Blessed Alberione

"The life of Mother Thecla Merlo was completely 
in the hands of God. 

Her words were: 

The will of the Lord; whatever pleases the Lord; 

may the Lord's will be done. 

She was ready to do anything for Him!" 

- Blessed James Alberione, ssp

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"What am I to do, Lord?" 

These words point to Paul's complete conversion 

as well as his absolute readiness 

to carry out God's will. 

Real holiness is to be found specifically in conformity to God's will 

and in complete self-abandonment!" 

- Blessed James Albeione, ssp

Venerable Thecla Merlo and her Thoughts

"Even if you cannot always be joyful, 

you can always be at peace!" 

- Venerable Thecla Merlo

Venerable Thecla Merlo and her Thoughts

"I want this year to be a year of holiness for me, 

whether I complete the year or not. 

May my every breath, every feeling, every heartbeat, 

every internal and external movement 
be for you, my God." 

(Venerable Thecla Merlo, fsp)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"Jesus, Divine Master, 

we adore you with the angels 

who sang the reasons for your incarnation: 

'Glory to God and peace to all people!'"

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

"Merry Christmas to all!" 

"Buon Natale a tutti!" 

"Feliz Navidad a todos!"

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"May the Son of God come to be born in our hearts and in our minds. 

May He transform us, 
because the redemption of each one consists in this: 

becoming similar to Jesus Christ!" 

(Blessed James Alberione)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

“The blessed soul of Mary was filled with grace, 

according to her very high mission as Mother of God. 

Thus the Church sings: 

“You are all beautiful, O Mary, 

and the sin of origin is not in you!” 

(Blessed James Alberione)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

“May this time of Advent serve us especially 

to ask the Lord for the repetition 

of the coming of the incarnation 

of the Son of God 

in the present world, 

which mostly still ignores 

or refuses to recognize the Savior!” 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"Let our hearts be an altar, a fireplace of holy aspirations, 

holy desires, ardent and all-embracing sighs: 

THY KINGDOM COME! 

Let our hearts be big: 

let them embrace all peoples and all needs!" 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

To everyone, "Happy Feast of Christ, the King!"

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"On my lips must always resound 

a fervent and heartfelt thanks be to God! 

Gratitude is a sign of a healthy heart, 

a means to obtain other benefits!" 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"From our way of speaking and doing, 

one who sees and hears us must be able to say: 

look at another Christ!" 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"Every single person on earth has a job to do. 

Each one must courageously and faithfully follow one’s path, 

fulfilling the mission assigned by God. 

At the end, everyone must be able to say: 

'"I have finished the course!'” 

(Blessed James Alberione) 

 

To everyone, may you have a joyful and holy journey 

during this month of November!

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"For our sanctity to be complete, 

it must lead us to follow Jesus integrally: 

in our Way, in the Truth and in our Life!" 

(Blessed James Alberione)

Venerable Thecla Merlo and her Thoughts

“I entrust everything to you, Mary: 

my entire being, with all my senses; 

my soul with all its faculties. 

I place everything in your hands. 

I know that I am in good hands and that is enough for me.” 

(Venerable Thecla Merlo)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

“Blessed are the imitators of Mary, 

who present Jesus to the shepherds, 

to the Magi, 

to Simeon in the Temple, 

to the disciples, 

to the world!” 

(Blessed James Alberione)

Venerable Thecla Merlo and her Thoughts

“Let us give Jesus to souls, 

like Mary and with Mary!” 

(Venerable Thecla Merlo)

Blessed James Alberione and his Thoughts

"O Mary, 

may the apostolate of example and word, 

of prayer and the press, 

of films, radio, television and the internet, 

may win over the hearts of many generous persons, 

even to the point of the most heroic sacrifices!" 

(Blessed James Alberione, ssp)