Paulines Bookcentres is one of the activities of the Daughters of St. Paul, who were founded in Italy, Alba in the year 1915, by Blessed James Alberione, in collaboration with Venerable Sr Thecla Thecla.
Bl. James Alberione, the Founder of the Pauline Family, was born in San Lorenzo di Fossano (Piedmont), Italy on 4th April 1884. As a young seminarian, James felt that the “hour” of God had struck, and later, as a priest, he took advantage of the new possibilities offered to give the Church a new way of evangelising by using the instruments of communication. He founded the Daughters of St Paul a congregation of women religious with the sole aim of evangelization using the modern means of Communication.
Teresa Merlo the birth name of Sr Thecla Merlo, was born on 20th Febuary, 1894, in Castagnito, Alba in Italy. As a young woman she desired so much religious life but her frail health made it difficult for her. In 1915, she met Blessed James Alberione, who recognised in her a great spiritual depth and leadership potential. He invited her to become the Co-Founderess of the Daughters of St. Paul and the first Mother General. She took up the name Thecla after St. Thecla, a disciple of St. Paul.
The Daughters of St. Paul are currently present in more than 50 countries across the five continents. In Africa the congregation is currently operational in 15 countries, with EAMZZ Province cutting across 7 countries. Last year 2024, the Daughters of St. Paul(Fsp) restyled their editorial and institutional logo, in order to redefine their online presence. The recent years have seen a tremendous increase in the number of vocations in some continents, a good number of young women taking their vows, opening of new communities, and Apostolic initiatives. The Fsp's are currently living a profound moment of the congregation which is the 12th General Chapter, which is being held in Rome from 7th September to 7th October 2025. It is an assembly with participants from the various continents to make some important decisions for the congregation.
The Daughters of St. Paul is a missionary congregation in the Church whose Charism is to Evangelize through the means of social communication, that is through the printed word, radio, music, TV programmes and most especially today the digital media. Like st Paul, they feel called to bring Christ to all people, using the most modern and effective tools of our time. Paulines books and media centres are not just shops, they are pulpits of evangelization.
STUDY
APOSTOLATE
SPIRITUALITY
POVERTY
The Pauline Spirituality is the way of living the Gospel inspired by St Paul the Apostle and handed down through Blessed James Alberione. The Pauline Spirituality is centered on the Word of God and the Eucharist. The Paulines live and give to the World Jesus Master, Way, Truth and Life. Drawing strength from the Eucharist, the Word and Mary. Carrying the Gospel to all people using the modern means of communication, just as St. Paul did in his time.
Paulines on the move for the Gospel in Africa and beyond
