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"Behold, I am doing something new." This quote from Isaiah 43:19 is over 2,700 years old, but its message still speaks to us today. "Something new" is unfolding in the lives and hearts of people everywhere. It is the New Evangelization of the Messianic Era, the retelling and the recreating of the coming of the Divine Word into human history.
By miraculous intervention, Zechariah, the holy high priest of Israel, became the father of the great Herald of the Messiah, John the Baptist. From his lips fell this beautiful prophecy of the Messianic Era: "The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78). And so it came to be. In the most gentle and, at first, imperceptible of ways, the transcendent Presence of God, the divine shekinah of Israel's wandering desert days, appeared in a tabernacle not made by human hands, a Temple made by the Lord Himself: the womb of a humble, young virgin in the royal line of the House of David. After decades of reciting the Angelus, I have come to recognize the triple moment of the Annunciation, Fiat, and Incarnation as the model and mold of the New Evangelization. In the astounding moment of the Incarnation, and in the forming of the little Family of Nazareth, the new civilization of love was born. As evangelizers, we are called to embody this civilization of love and to do all in our power to prosper the retelling of the Good News in human flesh. This is the focus of Pauline Magazine. In a way grossly similar to the Annunciation, the idea of this magazine overshadowed me like the appearance of a morning mist. Since then, it has brought me much happiness. May it bring you happiness too as together we face the challenges of the Day. In the Spirit of St. Paul, Lisa D. Tuggle, HFI |
EDITOR Lisa Tuggle, HFI ASSOCIATE EDITORS Sr. Margaret Kerry, FSP Fr. Michael Harrington, IJP Chris Gostek, HFI Pauline Magazine is a bi-monthly publication of the Pauline Community of St. Joseph, an association of Pauline consecrated persons dedicated to building the civilization of love. Subscription fees and donations support works of evangelization in the spirit of St. Paul living in the world today. The magazine's address is 337 Lower East Valley Road Dunlap, TN, 37327 paulinecommunityofstjoseph.org Subscriptions: $2.50/month; $30/year Telephone: (423) 554-3746 For information about St. Paul Guest House, contact the number noted above. |
Paul's Journeys: One Labor of Love
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The year is 38 A.D. Five years have passed since the infamous -- and then glorious -- events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of the man called Jesus of Nazareth. He was of course born a Jew, and, unknown to many at his time, he sprung from the womb of a Virgin Mother in the City of David, Bethlehem, according to the ancient prophesies.
Now Saul was a Jew among Jews (ref), a Pharisee among Pharisees. While speeding toward Damascus and breathing murderous threats against the followers of Jesus called the Christ, this same Christ in fact appeared to him, knocking Saul off his horse and blinding him for three days. From his humbled state lying on the earth, Saul heard the voice of the One shining brightly before him. He said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" |
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The artwork on this page depicts the presentation of the Pauline mission to Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the 10 Religious and Secular Institutes of Consecrated Life known as the Pauline Family. The tree to the left of the painting represents this family, with the PDDM, or Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, serving as the contemplative, nourishing roots of the remaining 9 apostolic branches of the Family. Kneeling is Blessed Alberione as well as Sister Mary Scholastica Rivata behind him (in blue and white). Standing from left to right are depicted: Mother Tecla Merlo, first superior of the Daughters of St. Paul, Blessed Timothy Giaccardo, first Novice Master of the Society of St. Paul, Canon Chiesa, XXX and XXX in the light-colored suit standing in front. St. Paul is depicted reaching down from heaven to give Blessed Alberione his mission, which he faithfully carried to his death in 1971.
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