Pauline Cooperators

On 29 September 1918, Mons. Francesco Re approves the statutes. In 1936, the Union is renamed “Unione Cooperatori Apostolato Stampa” (UCAS). In 1951, the group gets a different name: “Unione Cooperatori Paolini” (UCP). In the same year, the bulletin of the Pauline Cooperators too gets the new name: “Il Cooperatore Paolino” (CP). On 11 March 1988, the Holy See approves it. With this approval, the Union gets the new status as an Association. So, today we have the Association of Pauline Cooperators.

Inspiration

Fr. Alberione draws inspiration from St Paul who in his letters mentions many collaborators. So, the foundational idea comes from the participation of the laity in the mission of Paul. Founder would say that the secret of the great work of St Paul in the world consists in establishing those who continue his mission. St Paul, writing from Corinth a letter to the Romans, salutes 24 persons who were at Rome, almost all of them helped him in his mission. St Paul was diligent in procuring cooperators, and he had in his heart the laity. Following the example of St Paul, Fr. Alberione too wanted to form Collaborators. He wanted to utilize the competence, knowledge and expertise of the laity in every sphere of apostolate.

Another inspiration came from the Third Order of Dominicans. Fr. Alberione was officially entrusted with the duty to spiritually guide a group of the Third Order of Dominicans. Being their Spiritual Director, he saw the concrete example of collaboration amidst Dominicans. Hence, after the foundation of the Society of St Paul, he “thought that it was necessary to add a third order of persons who wanted to better their Christian life, according to the Pauline Spirit” (AD 122).

Forms of Cooperation

One can cooperate with the Apostolate of the Pauline Family according to the possibility and capacity of each, especially in three ways: with prayer, with apostolic action and with monetary donations.

Prayer: The cooperation with the prayer is the most necessary; it gives soul and fecundity to all the apostolates of the Cooperators. They offer their personal and communitarian prayer in union of the spirit with the Pauline Family for the diffusion of the Kingdom of God in the world through the apostolate of the Pauline Family. One of the forms of prayer is the offering of one’s suffering, united with the suffering of Jesus, in reparation for the evil committed through mass media.

Works: In the apostolic action, they are committed to animation in the field of social communication: seminars of study on social communications, cultural meetings, programmes for radio and television, collaboration with periodicals, diffusion of Pauline periodicals, day of the Gospel, animation on the World Communication Day, liturgical animation, pastoral action through the various activities.

Offerings: The Pauline Cooperators can help in sustaining Pauline missions. At the time of the Founder they provided the materials for constructions of apostolic centres, in the acquisition of machines and technical instruments necessary for Pauline apostolates, etc. They contributed for the expense of the press and production of books, especially that of the Bible, gospels, periodicals, which, at times, are to be distributed free of cost. Another way of offering is scholarships for study for youngsters who are called to Pauline consecrated and priestly life.

Conclusion

Going through the history of the foundations of Fr. Alberione, we come to know that the Pauline Cooperators have a special place in the mind and heart of Fr. Alberione to that extent that the story of the Pauline Cooperators is the story of the Pauline Family. Founder would say that the Cooperators are born with the House or even before the House.

Fr. Alberione was convinced that to give impetus and expression to the Christian message, it is not enough the presence and work of priests and sisters, but a united and coordinated, intelligent and generous action of the laity. An imagery that inspired Fr Alberione to express this conviction is that of the parable of the Good Samaritan.