The FSP Book and Media Centers in Europe – which number about 20 in 10 countries – are a cultural and religious patrimony for the Daughters of St. Paul, who want to upgrade their quality and develop them always more so as to give new vigor, visibility and extension to their evangelization of the “old continent.”
In fact, every Pauline book center is a sure point of welcome to the public a place from which the communicative power of books and audiovisuals, through the service of the sisters and their lay co-workers, can reach believers and non-believers, families, teenagers, adults, lay and consecrated persons, individuals who are seeking God and casual drop-ins.
Our sisters are increasingly aware that our book centers, “today’s pulpits” as Blessed James Alberione called them, are invaluable reference points for European society. In them, they and their collaborators work side by side, responding to their baptismal vocation and expressing the best of themselves in carrying out a cultural, educational and religious service aimed at the good of the people. The quality of their service derives precisely from this collaboration, which blends the different outlooks and competences of the religious and lay states of life.
To make further progress in this indispensable ministry, the FSPs responsible for our Pauline Book and Media Centers in Europe met in Rome, Italy in early November to reflect on and analyze the current status of their collaboration with the laity in this apostolic activity.
The sisters discussed how to improve the formation of their co-workers and how to provide our Pauline communities on this continent with animations and guidance in the journey of FSP collaboration with the laity. In spite of the difficulties of the present moment (ranging from the economic crisis to the secularization of European society), the meeting allowed the participants to express their dreams concerning the apostolic future of our book centers.
They realize that these dreams will be fulfilled to the degree that they rekindle their faith, convictions and dedication to the apostolate, and strive to improve both their professional skills and their collaboration with the laity, aiming to share with these “travelling companions” the gift of the Pauline charism, in the awareness that the laity can help to renew the vitality of our mission and help expand it.
