On November 25, 2023, the Pauline Family in the Philippines anticipated for a day Blessed James Alberione’s death anniversary (November 26) with a gathering at the new Provincial House of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM) in Antipolo City. This year’s host, the PDDM also mark the 100th anniversary of their foundation. The gathering was one of the highlights of their ongoing Jubilee celebration.
The Pauline professed members and those in initial formation in Metro Manila and nearby provinces came for this much anticipated annual celebration of the Founder’s Day: Society of St. Paul, Daughters of St. Paul, Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, Pastorelle Sisters, Institute of Our Lady of Annunciation (IMSA), Institute of St. Gabriel the Archangel (ISGA), Institute of the Holy Family (ISF), and Association of Pauline Cooperators.
The theme of the gathering was “The Family Giving Thanks Together with Our Founder Blessed Alberione.” The highlight of the celebration was the 10 A.M. Misa ng Bayang Pilipino (“Mass of the Filipino People”) presided by the SSP Provincial Superior Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite. The Mass is an inculturated Roman Rite, with sung “dialogue” between the priest and faithful. In his homily, Fr. Alberione referred to the Founder as “the miracle” in the Church, admired especially by Pope Paul VI.
The Mass was followed by lunch in fiesta atmosphere done at the new dining hall and the porticos of the Provincial House. Afterwards, each Pauline institute presented numbers in song and dance. There were also games and quizzes on the person and works of the Founder.
On the actual date itself, which was also the Solemnity of Christ the King, other Pauline communities in the provinces also held their reunion to celebrate their beings sons and daughters of Primo Maestro and to renew their commitment to journey in “synodality” as Paulines in the culture of communication.
