Blessed James Alberione

November 26

Blessed James Alberione was born in San Lorenzo di Fossano (in Piedmont), Italy, on April 4, 1884. He was the fifth child of Michael Alberione and Teresa Allocco.

In October 1900, he entered the diocesan seminary of Alba and on June 29,1907 was ordained a priest.

On August 20, 1914, in Alba, he initiated the Society of St. Paul, followed by the other foundations that today constitute the Pauline Fam-ily: the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul; the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master; the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd; the “Regina Apostolorum” Institute for vocations (Apostoline Sisters); plus a number of aggregated institutes: St. Gabriel the Archangel; Our Lady of the Annunciation, and Jesus the Priest, The Institute of the Holy Family and the Association of the Pauline Cooperators.

Fr. Alberione travelled around the world several times visiting his sons and daughters scattered on all the continents.

The secret of his vast apostolic activity lies in his interior life, which was directed to realizing with always greater fullness the words of the Apostle Paul: “It is no longer I who live; it is Christ who lives in me.”

On Nov. 26, 1971, at the age of 87, comforted by the visit and blessing of Pope Paul VI, Fr. Alberione left this earth to return to the house of the Father.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II, in Rome, on the 27th of April 2003.

The Pauline Family celebrates His Feast every November 26.

(Source: Daughters of St. Paul)