We are the Pauline Cooperators, an international ecclesial lay Association; one of the Institutes of the Pauline Family. Our ideal is to live and proclaim the Gospel through the instruments of communication in our specific state of life and according to our secular nature (character). These pages will help you get to know us: our history, spirituality and apostolic mission. They will tell you about the Apostle Paul, our model; Fr. Alberione and the Pauline Family; how to become a Pauline Cooperator; the role of the laity in the Church, and our apostolic projects and experiences.
Our history. The Pauline Cooperators' Association was launched in 1917 by Blessed James Alberione (1884-1971), the founder of the Pauline Family. Thus its roots go back to the very beginning of this Family and it plays a special role in its marvelous story, which was guided by the Holy Spirit and unfolded at a particularly important time in the life of the Church and of society.
Blessed James Alberione, a prophet who promoted the proclamation of the Gospel through the instruments of communication, was very sensitive to the socio-cultural-ecclesial context in which he lived. At the dawn of the 20th century, he felt a powerful call to look to the future, to think big so as to find fresh ways to preach the Gospel and serve the Church, using new instruments to carry out a new evangelization. He saw the press, cinema, radio and television as modern pulpits from which to proclaim the message of Jesus. While begging the Lord to show him the path to follow, Fr. Alberione conceived the idea of forming a group of new apostles persons who would work with him to concretize his daring plan, which was ahead of the times. He dreamed of a large group of generous people priests, men and women religious, and laity all united by the same ideal and working together in the spirit of the Apostle Paul to concretize the Lord' s invitation: Come to me, all of you.
We are part of this band of apostles, a branch of the Pauline Family. We are lay believers who serve the Gospel and the Church while remaining in our own families and societal/work environments.
The Pauline Cooperators' Association, founded on 29 June 1917 in Alba, Italy, was approved by Bishop Francis Re of Alba on 29 September 1918. Today it is present throughout the world.
The Pauline Cooperators' Association. The Association is made up of baptized Catholics who feel called to be co-workers of Christ so as to ensure that his Good News is proclaimed to all the people of our time. Ours is a true lay vocation, with the unique feature of complete adherence to the ideals of Fr. Alberione. We strive to live the values of the Pauline mission and spirituality, carrying out specific duties and enjoying spiritual advantages.
The Association is made up of men and women, adults and young people, single persons and married couples, individuals of every age, social rank and educational background. All those who want to live a more intense spiritual life and help people today improve their situation can find a place in this Association.
United in spirit to the rest of the Pauline Family, the Pauline Cooperators use the many forms of the Pauline apostolate to proclaim the Gospel more widely, ensuring that even those in distant lands and situations will receive the Good News.
The Decalogue of the Pauline Cooperator summarizes our identity:
The Pauline Cooperator
- Strives to attain greater holiness according to his/her state in life by following Jesus Master Way, Truth and Life under the gaze of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in the spirit of St. Paul.
- Reads, mediates, lives and spreads the Gospel.
- Knows, believes and loves in union with the sentiments of Christ.
- Like St. Paul, proclaims and witnesses to the fact that it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.
- Lives the Eucharist and pours out the love he/she receives through every form of the Pauline apostolate.
- Is distinguished for a profound love for the Church, keeping up to date with the activities of his/her local Christian community and participating in them.
- Is united in mind and heart to the Pauline Family, with whom he/she prays, work and collaborates.
- Brings everyone the Word of light and truth through the instruments of social communication.
- Gives the world Jesus Christ, Way, Truth and Life, our crucified and risen Master and Shepherd, in union with Mary, Queen of Apostles, the first person to cooperate with God' s work of redemption.
- Like St. Paul, faces the problems and sacrifices of the Pauline mission with courage and hope, in intimate union with Christ.