Before returning to their own countries, the Daughters of St. Paul who participated in the Charism Tour Course held at the Generalate, Rome, from 4-25 August 2014 wanted to tell everyone what a grace it was for them to be able to celebrate the Centenary of foundation of the Pauline Family in Italy, especially the places associated with our Pauline beginnings.
Their joy was a visible expression of their gratitude to God and the Congregation for the warm welcome they received and for their days of intense study and reflection on the Pauline life and spirituality. The course was marked by an alternation of prayer, input, sharing and visits to various sites in Rome and Alba linked to our Pauline life and the Church.
The high point of that time was the pilgrimage to Alba and its surrounding areas to visit the places linked to our Founders, our Pauline beginnings and development. In Alba, the sisters were present for the solemn Eucharistic Celebration in the Temple of St. Paul on 20 August. Many members of the Pauline Family, as well as the religious and civil authorities of the zone, also participated in this important event–an emotional moment rich in graces and in gratitude to the Lord for everything he has accomplished in the story of our Family.
The pilgrimage continued after our sisters returned to Rome, offering them the chance to visit the rooms in which our Founders lived and worked and the places in which St. Paul spent the last years of his ministry. A very significant moment was the General Audience of Pope Francis, held in the Paul VI Audience Hall and attended by an immense crowd of people who flock to Rome because they are drawn to the Pope on both the spiritual and human planes.
In her concluding address on the last day of the Course, Superior General Sr. Anna Maria Parenzan invited the participants to give full meaning to the Pauline life and mission. Our sisters say it is hard to sum up briefly all the emotions they experienced in this time but they assure us that the joy, thanksgiving and spirit of communion that flooded their hearts will always remain with them.
