The Catholic Church dedicates the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For the Pauline Family, June brings an additional reason to celebrate: St. Paul! While the universal Church marks the liturgical feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th, the Pauline Family celebrates Saint Paul specifically on June 30th. Happy feast of St. Paul!
St. Paul’s Creative Proclamation
Blessed James Alberione always insisted that he was not the true founder of the Pauline Family. Instead, he pointed to Saint Paul as the one who lights the way for evangelization through modern, effective communication. Paul operated as a pioneering media strategist, building a global network long before the advent of the internet. He directed all his efforts toward a single purpose: proclaiming the Gospel to as many people as possible in the world as it was in his time.
Severe limitations constantly threatened his mission. Paul faced hazardous travel, endured imprisonment, and worked as a single individual—even when collaborating with a deep network of companions. He could only physically speak to small groups at a time. Yet, Paul overcame these barriers, providing a timeless blueprint for how media can expand our efforts to proclaim Christ. No obstacle could hamper Paul who said, “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the Gospel” (1 Cor 9:16).
Ancient Mass Media
Unlike modern letters, which carry an expectation of privacy, first-century communities often treated correspondence as public media. Congregations read these letters aloud to the entire community and shared them across neighboring regions. This practice allowed Paul to multiply his voice, reaching far beyond the audiences who could physically hear him preach.
Much like today’s content creators, Paul meticulously tailored his message to his audience. He engaged the intellectual curiosity of the Romans with deep theological reasoning. He encouraged the Christians of Philippi with gentle, uplifting words, and utilized classical philosophy when addressing the Athenians. His gentleness went by the wayside with the Galatians, however, delivering a firm reminder of the primacy of their life in Christ.
A Model for Modern Media Apostles
Today’s media professionals find deep inspiration in Paul’s approach to evangelization. He possessed an acute awareness of the challenges inherent in following Christ, writing, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:19b-20a). Paul embodied his message. Today’s media apostles face the same invitation: to rise above simple content creation and become true stewards of Gospel truth.
Paul also excelled in intentionality—a vital trait for contemporary media professionals. His writings reveal a communicator who weighed his words carefully, maximizing limited resources to achieve the deepest resonance with his audience. In an era of effortless digital communication, followers of Christ can imitate Paul by ensuring their output remains life-giving and substantive, rather than settling for the superficial.
Furthermore, Paul understood how to build authentic community. Proclaiming Christ never happens in isolation, whether in the first century or the twenty-first. True evangelization draws people toward Christ through the Church, the body of Christ on earth. Paul championed this, urging Christians to assemble, break bread, and teach one another. He even corrected the Corinthians when their gatherings devolved into disorder (see 1 Cor 11:27). Today, media apostles use their creativity to gather people in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
From Parchment to Digital
Centuries have passed since Saint Paul first sent his letters across the ancient world. We who inherit his missionary mantle use different tools, but we carry the same message: salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul’s legacy proves that when we use media to proclaim Christ, we serve a message greater than ourselves. By stepping into the background, we allow Christ to shine through us and our work.
May Saint Paul intercede for us as we strive to navigate the digital world with wisdom, integrity, and purpose.