Called to Sanctity [[UPDATED May 5]]

Among the letters and photos saved among the boxes on top of my armoire is one from a priest who had been involved with the parish Holy Name Society during the years of my father's leadership on the national level. It is a letter of condolence to my mom upon Dad's death, and it includes the line, "I am convinced that Jim was a real saint!"

Pope Francis this week is telling all of us that "real saints" is what we are all meant to be, and in his new document, "Gaudete et Exsultate" (Rejoice and Be Glad), he takes the time to show us what this entails. He also points out some of the major obstacles, both time-tested and more novel (the danger of "verbal violence through the internet," for example), and the fruits of genuine holiness: those works of mercy we spent a year meditating on.

I can't say much more than this, because I haven't had a chance to actually read the whole document myself. But I did want to give you a timely link.

Our Sister Lorraine is right now preparing a downloadable study guide; as soon as that is available I will add the link to this post, so keep checking back (or checking Twitter @nunblogger for the link). 

May 5 UPDATE: Here's the link for the free study guide for Gaudete et Exsultate by our own Sr. Lorraine!

Blessed James Alberione and "The Joy of the Gospel"

How fitting it is that on this feast of Blessed James Alberione, founder of the worldwide evangelizing network known as the Pauline Family, we receive Pope Francis' new document, "The Joy of the Gospel"! The document is the Pope's way of concluding the last Synod of Bishops (o the New Evangelization); is it also the first stage of the next assembly--the Extraordinary Synod on proclaiming the Gospel in the face of extreme challenges facing family life today?

When Father James Alberione was beatified (2003), the Paulines received this message* from then-Cardinal Bergoglio, who was well acquainted with the Paulines of Argentina:

"When I returned from Rome I joyfully received your note telling me that you were celebrating the
beatification of Father James Alberione, founder of the Pauline Family, that will take place on the 27th of this month. I warmly thank you for your kindness and I unite myself with all my heart to this significant ecclesial event. As I already told you in the audience that we had, now we count on a new model and intercessor of singular virtues who has contributed so much to announcing the Gospel with the means of communication. I avail myself on this occasion to thank you and all the members of Blessed Alberione family, for the efficient and dedicated pastoral work that you do for the good of the Church, particularly in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, Argentina."

*Translated from Spanish by Sr. Mary Stephen and Sr. Mary Thecla