Daughters of St. Paul

[passerby]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Daughters of St. Paul. I am intrigued by their apostolate of using media. Does one have to be good at media related things to be a good fit with their community? What is their daily life like? I would think that their work would make it more likely that their applicants are younger but do they have an age limit? Do they pray together? Since I've never met them I thought people here might have some things they can share.

TIA 

[Luigi]

I don't know the inner workings, but I know for a fact they pray together.

IF you're good at media, they might assign you to media production (which is done at the motherhouse - Boston?), but they also have bookstores all over the country, so a lot of the sisters work in those. The community at a given bookstore might be three-four-five sisters. They stock shelves, ring up sales, keep track of inventory, assist customers in finding the kinds of books they're interested - it's retail. So it helps if you like to read - the sisters read the books they stock (so they know where to refer customers), I think they have children's reading circles, and stuff like that.

They also set a "friends of the order" group in most cities and have an annual fund-raising dinner, and monthly or quarterly newsletters - all the regular stuff. 

So I think they can use whatever skills you have. 

I have no idea whether there's an age limit for entrants.

[Lou]

I was briefly in contact with one of their vocations directors but have little advice or knowledge to offer. (Except they took quite a while to get back to me and forgot about our first scheduled Skype call, so don't worry if they seem like they're pawning you off!)

According to their website, http://vocations.daughtersofstpaul.com, their come and see weekends are for women between the ages of 18-30. That's not to say that they have an upper limit though, sometimes orders just want to restrict the number of women on a Come and See or encourage more women who are of college age/ similar in age to try engender some fellowship, so I guess if you're over 33, you might have to ask them if they'd be willing to accompany you.

As for the apostolate, I know a St Paul Sister in England: she isn't of the same congregation as the Daughters of St Paul, but her congregation are older and do the same thing in a less-cool way. In any case, because technology and media outreach changes so quickly, I think orders that use that type of apostolate would keep you 'trained up'. Media skills are not expected before you come, but rather developed as you become a member of the Order. Similarly, there are so many other ways to work within such an order, as Luigi rightly pointed out. Even with teaching Orders, not every Sister teaches... some are involved in formation or the infirmary or administration or missionary work and parish catechesis...  It's wherever you can best serve.

Would love to hear how your search goes,

prayers for you.

[Sister Leticia]

I know several Daughters of St Paul here in England. I had assumed they were the same congregation as the US ones, but I see Lou says they're not. Anyway, I'm sure they all have the same founders and the same spirit and charism, of evangelisation through the media - and whatever means possible.

One of the sisters I know is a graphic designer and a very gifted and creative photographer, and her work is often used on the bookmarks sold in their shops. You can find her photos, with simple captions, on Instagram. 

Another sister works for the National Office of Vocation, where her strength is media resources (though that's only part of her job). The others I know work in sales and distribution (books, DVDs etc). They've all studied theology as part of their formation, and their international novitiate is in Rome. 

Having seen some of the US sisters on social media, I'd say the the British ones are less media-savvy, in that I don't see them on Twitter (except for the one who works for NOV), though they do use FB, both personally and pages for their media outlets. But they are excellent on a personal level, and there's always a lovely, friendly, helpful atmosphere in their shops, whether sisters are there or not. 

Here's the website for the British sisters, which has a section on their spirituality   https://www.paulineuk.org/daughters-of-st-paul

[Lou]

Oh no sorry, the Sisters you linked are the same congregation. The sister I referenced is from another Pauline / St Paul media outreach order which is called the Sisters of St Paul or Sisters of St Peter and Paul- I can't remember and can't find it online! I just wanted to explain their similar charism and the way they treat those less media savvy candidates! 

 

[Sister Leticia]

Can't help you, I'm afraid, the only Sisters of St Paul I know are the ones with their motherhouse in Selly Park - but their ministries are things like education, social work, spirituality - not media work. But I could ask one of my FSP friends if they know these other sisters - presumably all part of the same family.

[Lou]

All good, she works in a bookshop and does media-ish things and there are a few younger Italian sisters in her community. My sister stayed with them, somewhere not far from London. 

 

I think the Daughters of St Paul are a more "happening" order at the moment (should your call be "Pauline" in nature)! Two of their US based Postulants made a small YouTube series a while ago which could be worth checking out. It was what prompted me to send them an email! They seemed so joyful and in a place where they would get a good formation, spiritual foundation and education. Also another of their sisters, Sr Helena Byrnes/ Burns writes a blog which may also give an insight into their life. I believe she's based in Toronto! 

[Antonella]

1 hour ago, Sister Leticia said:

One of the sisters I know is a graphic designer and a very gifted and creative photographer, and her work is often used on the bookmarks sold in their shops. You can find her photos, with simple captions, on Instagram.

I love her photos! I've been following her for some time.

The Daughters of St. Paul are a blessing for the Internet.  I love their blogs and YouTube videos. Even the postulants have a a YouTube channel. Here is "a day in the life" video.

[John Paul]

Sr. Marie Paul describes her typical day. 

[passerby]

Thank you everyone. Your answers were very insightful. I was particularly concerned since I'm not on twitter or instagram that I may not be the right fit. Their work is certainly needed. Has anyone visited/discerned with them? What made you want to visit them?

[Marysheart]

The Daughters of saint Paul are a lovely group of sisters. They have several book stores throughout the United States. Their book stores even have a chapel with Eucharist adoration. They have a great balance of prayer and work.  Of course a special devotion to the Eucharist. Which is wonderful. If you are looking for an active community and feel the Lord is calling you to one. It's definitely worth to check them out.

[John Paul]

Last Saturday I went to Pauline Books and Media in St. Louis. It is very neat. St. Louis is where their postulants are stationed.  I saw six sisters and the chapel was very peaceful. 

[Guest]

We have now had two Pastorelle Sister in our parish who are in the Pauline Family - beautiful human beings and religious sisters - very gentle and sensitive, loving.  One was our pastoral associate, the other still is.

[providence]

I have several friends who have entered this community and know them very well. I was excited to happen upon this post! I'll try to answer your questions and hope this information is helpful to you.

-Does one have to be good at media related things to be a good fit with their community?

Not at all. What's important is your spirituality: do you desire to know Jesus, and do you want to share him with the world? The sisters that I know in this order are all very different in terms of their talents, their apostolates, and their backgrounds but they all have that desire to know and share Jesus in common. It's that double sense of the word, right, to be in communion with him, to communicate him.

That said, it's amesome if you are drawn to the media apostolate and would like to learn more about it! You don't have to have any skills or experience in it already, though. Not all the Daughters do the same stuff! Many have social media or work with the internet...but many don't. You just don't see them online so it's not as obvious from the outside :) There are sisters who work in the publishing house, who work on the radio, who work in music... and lots of sisters are assigned to an apostolate they know nothing about and learn "on the job."

tl;dr: God provides.

- What is their daily life like?

Honestly it varies a LOT from sister to sister and community to community, because of the varied nature of the apostolate. But the general outline as far as I can tell has all the same elements: the day starts with half an hour of meditation, morning prayer, and mass; then the day consists of the apostolate, shared meals, community recreation, evening prayer, and at some point an hour of adoration.

- I would think that their work would make it more likely that their applicants are younger but do they have an age limit?

Their stated age limit is 30, at least for the U.S. sisters, but I would get in touch with a vocation director regardless. It's always best to discuss these situations one-on-one.

- Do they pray together?

Yes! the sisters pray morning and evening prayer together, and attend Mass together. Sisters also make holy hours throughout the day, sometimes together, but usually individually.

Feel free to PM if you want to hear more about my experience with the sisters, I'm happy to help if I can!

[dominicansoul]

I was heavily invested in this community for the first 10 years of my discerning religious life.  It started all so innocently, I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Mass Comm and was looking for experience in anything w/media.  So, walking into my parish office one day, I saw one of their adverts on the bulletin board and contacted them...not because I was interested in ever becoming a nun, heck no!  I just wanted to use my mass comm talents to help them in any way.  

 

They gave me more than publishing media experience, they woke up my heart to religious life.  I discerned seriously with them for about 5 of those first 10 years, visiting the Motherhouse several times, took all sorts of entrance application examinations, met and grew in love of the community.  The members that really stuck out to me were the older ones who were there at the very beginning of the American apostolate.  Sr. Augusta, especially, who passed away just a month ago at the age of 102.  I met her in her 80s, and she was strong and just as rambuctious as I was.  So in love with Jesus Christ!  

 

I had several entrance dates to enter the community but in the end, decided against entering because in all the discernment activities they opened up for me, they helped me discover what religious life meant, and the many different ways it could be lived.  I was more drawn to traditional monastic settings than theirs.  IT was heartbreaking when I finally told them, that yes, I loved them dearly, but I had fallen in love with another way of life, and I couldn't get myself to commit.  

 

Please consider them, they are a wonderful community filled with beautiful souls doing outstanding work for the Church.  

[Marysheart]

Dominican soul, are you a nun? You sound like one. Bless you on your journey in God's will in your vocation. In his will is our peace.

[passerby]

Thank you all for your responses...I am finding them very encouraging and informative.

[krissylou]

I know these sisters well and can explain the age thing!

This is an international community and the international government has set an age limit of 30.  Americans have begged and pleaded to say that really doesn't work in our culture when the average age of marriage is in the late 20s to early 30s.  So far to no avail.

However, the national vocations director can approve a waiver of up to age 35.  Since the national vocations director has to approve all entrances anyway, effectively this means the age limit is 35.  (I have known someone who entered at 36 but that requires approval at a higher level.  But it can happen.)

I think when they say that come-and-sees are for people up to age 33 that's because discernment doesn't happen overnight and in order to enter by 35 you should be making first contact before then.

The sisters I know are at various levels of techy-ness.  If you're attracted to the general idea, specific skills in media are not a requirement for entry.

Different communities have different emphases in their spiritual life.  So the Benedictines are ALL ABOUT the Liturgy of the Hours.  Carmelites are ALL ABOUT mental prayer, etc.  Which means that isn't the only thing they ever do, but that's their big focus.  The Paulines are ALL ABOUT a daily hour of Eucharistic Adoration, which they call a "Visit."  That's in addition to a half hour of individual prayer, daily Mass, morning and evening prayer.  It's actually a pretty intensive prayer schedule for an active community.

They do get a steady stream of vocations.  In the years I've known them (since about 2010) they've had roughly as many final vows as funerals.  I've lost track of the exact numbers but it's pretty close.  Not many orders can say that!  The first sister I knew when she was a novice is making her final vows this summer.  Sniffle.  They grow up so fast!

If you're attracted to the Pauline charism but the media thing just isn't your bag you might want to consider the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master who are part of the same family but are more contemplative.  There are a couple other women's congregations too but they aren't in the United States.

(These weren't hostile splits, just as they developed a new apostolate they created a new congregation for it.  But everyone stayed friends.  I've never quite understood why the founder considered it so important to have separate congregations when after all there were plenty of orders that had some teachers and some nurses.  I guess he just loooooved Vatican paperwork.)

[kg94]

Hi, 

I was previously visiting one of the branch houses of FSP (Daughters of St Paul) in Malaysia. From what I know, their life varies from province to province, but what I can tell you is that the media apostolate is only a means of evangelisation through social communications. Many of the Sisters tell me they started door-to-door bringing books to people's houses and teaching them about the faith. Another interesting thing to note is they were "born in Adoration" and have a great love for the Blessed Sacrament. Their prayer life is rather 'wordy' compared to many other congregations I know, and they have their own set of prayer manuals and books etc. They're extremely gifted Sisters and I know they often meet in Rome during preparation for vows and for formation and other meetings. That is when one may meet the Sisters from the other provinces. The rest, I suppose is difficult to tell you until you've experienced their life in the physical reality (as in, you must experience it yourself to really know). 

God bless!

[dominicansoul]

On 5/15/2018 at 4:04 PM, Marysheart said:

Dominican soul, are you a nun? You sound like one. Bless you on your journey in God's will in your vocation. In his will is our peace.

I wish I was, but I had to give up religious life for serious responsibilities at home.  I am the sole care giver for my mentally ill brother.  

Its been a sacrifice.  My vocation story is kind of backwards.  I didn’t give up much when I entered the convent....I gave up everything when I left it...