When St. Paul set out on his journey to evangelize, he did so
using the latest forms of communication available: the spoken
word and ink on paper. More than 2,000 years later, the
message is still the same, but advances in technology have
provided new ways to carry out the mission of evangelization.
The Daughters of St. Paul in Alexandria have taken up the
saint’s mission on a global scale using the technology of the
21st century. Today the sisters are in more than 52 countries
worldwide and are active on television, radio, the Internet
and social media.
The order was founded in 1915 by Blessed James Alberione, who
was inspired to start an order that would act as St. Paul the
Apostle living in today’s world.
“It became clear to him (Blessed Alberione) in that moment to
use all forms of communication for this new mission,” said
Sister Margaret Michael, vocations director for the Daughters
of St. Paul. “Whatever new forms (of communication)
technology may provide in the future, we want to pick that up
and use it for the Gospel.”
A group of six sisters operate the Pauline Books and Media
store in Old Town Alexandria. A life-size cut-out of Pope
Francis can be seen from the front window of their King
Street location, providing passersby with a spontaneous
photo-op with the pontiff. Inside the store the sisters offer
books, DVDs and other items for sale. Visitors also are
welcome to visit the chapel located above the store.
“People can come in not just to be fed with the word of God
in a book, but they can also come up and pray and really
encounter Jesus face to face,” said Sister Emily Beata.
The sisters host a number of events at their location, such
as talks, retreats, book releases and kid-friendly events,
such as the annual Baby Jesus birthday party and All Saints
day celebrations.
A group of the sisters takes the mission on the road to
surrounding parishes and even surrounding dioceses.
“We will actually bring the books and media to them and set
up a mini book store right where they are,” said Sister
Emily. “We hear a lot of stories of people coming back to the
church, the difficulties they are having with their families
or personal struggles.”
The sisters make it part of their mission to pray for
everyone they come in contact with during the day and offer
up people’s intentions during their evening prayer.
“We are kind of wrapping the whole diocese in prayer before
Jesus in the Eucharist,” said Sister Emily.
She said that she feels that this year’s special dedication
as the Year of Consecrated life by Pope Francis has had a
renewing effect on the order and the church as a whole.
“It’s a real opportunity to talk to people about the gift of
consecrated life,” said Sister Emily. “It is that added
opportunity to invite people to consider, what is the Lord
calling you to? How is He inviting you to a more complete
offering of your life?”
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