Daughters of St. Paul: Weavers of Evangelization

The Daughters of St. Paul is a missionary congregation of religious sisters who serve the church and proclaim the Good News through communications media. Founded in Italy by Blessed James Alberione on June 15, 1915, the congregation unceasingly seeks new ways and places for evangelization.

The congregation’s spirituality and character are deeply rooted in the life and teachings of St. Paul, the Apostle, who dedicated himself tirelessly and passionately to the proclamation of Christ – the Master, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

In the words of Blessed Alberione, “St. Paul is the Saint of Universality. Like him, the apostle must have a heart big enough to embrace the entire world. We must carry all people our hearts and burn with love for our brothers and sisters to the point of being willing to give up our life for them.”

Pioneering Italian Daughter of St. Paul Sr. Elena Ramondetti (First Row, second to the left) along with the FSP postulants of 1972.

The Daughters of St. Paul are very much aware that they are invited to center their mission on the Word and in the Eucharist. Their unique calling is to use today’s new instruments and technologies to communicate the Gospel in order to seek new paths, to create crossroads and meeting points so that always more people can get to know and welcome Jesus. Thus, this is what the Daughters of St. Paul live for: “Do not speak only of religion; speak about everything in a Christian way.”

In this ever-changing and unpredictable times, where the effectiveness and relevance of evangelization is dictated by the ability to catch up and be adept with technological advancement and evolving language and lifestyles, the challenge of the Daughters of St. Paul is to broaden their hearts, expand their minds while striving to understand people and making no distinction with regard to race or creed so as to respect and promote all the good elements in every person and culture.

Furthermore, the Daughters of St. Paul commit themselves to adopting a language suitable to our times and to the different conditions of people convinced that the boundaries of their mission encompass the entire world.

In January 1937, Sr. Elena Ramondetti, Sr. Cleofe Zanoni and Sr. Edvige Soldano were sent as missionaries to China. Alas, the sisters could not remain for long in the country because it was at war with Japan at that time. The sisters relocated to India but it was not possible to remain there either. The young missionaries sought refugees in the Philippines arriving on October 13, 1938 in Lipa City, Batangas. Their stay was supposed to be short-term – only until the end of the Sino-Japanese conflict – and they were slated to return to China. But 80 years have gone by since then!

Sr. Rica Dalaguit (second row, fourth from the left) along with the Daughters of St. Paul

The foundation of the Daughters of St. Paul in the Philippines was fundamental for the expansion of the FSPs in Asia; thus concretizing the prophecy of Blessed James Alberione who in 1955 said that the Philippines would supply nearby countries with priests and sisters. In fact, until today, the FSPs in the Philippines continue to make a significant contribution to the foundation of the congregation in both Asia and Australia.

The Philippine foundation of the FSPs has branched out to the neighboring countries of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand that now comprise one Province. Today, the Daughters of St.Paul are present in 52 nations around the world.

Their work in media communications continue to change and transform the world. Be they show directors, news readers, story anchors, camera controllers, production workers, writers, story tellers, book printers and sellers — the Daughters of St. Paul are undoubtedly the weavers of evangelization.

The Mission is a new section that features Religious Communities and Congregations, Non-Government Organizations, People’s Organizations and even individuals whose mission work, apostolate, advocacies and programs inspire hope, positivity and change in their communities. For contributions or inquiries, please contact Fr. Ritsche Gamaya at 297-1054 or email davaocatholicherald@gmail.com.