As Daughters of St. Paul, our mission is to communicate Christ in today’s world. Here in the DC metro area, our Pauline Books & Media Center in historic Old Town Alexandria is our home base for inviting God’s people into an encounter with his Word, whether at our book center or through local speaking engagements and parish missions. Read more about our Alexandria-based ministries below, including local vocational discernment opportunities.
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Como Hijas de San Pablo, o “Hermanas Paulinas,” nuestra misión es comunicar a Cristo en la cultura actual. Aquí en Alexandria, nuestra Librería Paulinas (Pauline Books & Media Center) es la sede central desde la que invitamos al pueblo de Dios a un encuentro con su Palabra. En la librería, se puede encontrar una capilla eucarística además de varios recursos en español e inglés para alimentar su fe: Biblias, libros, rosarios y regalos, entre otros. Para aprender más sobre nuestros recursos en español, póngase en contacto con nosotras.
También se puede inscribir en nuestra lista de correo para recibir las últimas noticias y novedades de Paulinas.
Monday: 12:30–5pm
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30am–5pm
Sunday: Closed
lunes: 12:30–5pm
martes a sábado: 10:30am–5pm
domingo (y feriados): cerrado
Paid street parking is available, but we recommend looking for free street parking along Cameron Street (parallel to King). You can also find us six blocks from the King Street Metro station (Blue/Yellow Lines) and along the free King Street Trolley route.
Since 1982, our Pauline Books & Media center has been a trusted source for Catholic books and gifts in the DC metro area. From baby’s first Bible to the spiritual classics and beyond, we seek to accompany God’s people in all of life’s chapters by offering our patrons personalized recommendations—and above all, a listening ear.
To hear about our latest picks, check out our monthly “What Are the Sisters Reading?” episode of the Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast.
What distinguishes us from traditional bookstores is the beating heart of our ministry: the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in our chapel, open to the public for prayer during book center hours.
We serve our local faith community through a rotating schedule of programming for all ages, including prayer experiences, vocational opportunities, retreats, talks, book signings, and our signature annual children’s events: the Summer Storytime series and the Baby Jesus Birthday Celebration.
This Easter week began with a sigh. In the final days of the Paschal Triduum Pope Francis had been quietly bidding us goodbye, assuring us all that “we can live this poor, fragile and wounded existence clinging to Christ, because he has conquered death, he conquers our darkness and he will conquer the shadows of the world, to make us live with him in joy, forever” (Homily at Easter Mass).
Together we continue to pray for the repose of his soul, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we enter these days before the funeral and the conclave that will elect the new Pope. To learn more about the heart of Pope Francis, click here for a podcast conversation with Sr. Emily and Sr. Kathryn on his recent encyclical, Dilexit Nos.
Following in the footsteps of our patron Saint Paul, our sisters seek to build up the Body of Christ by providing encouragement, inspiration, and faith formation in our local Church. You’ll find our sisters giving talks at nearby parishes, schools, religious education programs, and Catholic events, as well as offering parish missions. We cover a wide variety of topics, including prayer, healing, spirituality, vocational discernment, and media use, always putting Christ in the foreground as we strive to meet the needs of the people we serve.
To inquire about inviting a sister to speak, reach out to us below.
Our sisters regularly host opportunities for vocational discernment, providing a space for young women to learn more about religious life and pray about where God is calling them. To become aware of opportunities near you or to speak with a sister about vocational discernment, get in touch with us. Know that we are praying for you!
Are you a lay person who is feeling called to share in the mission of proclaiming God’s Word through the media? We invite you to learn more about the Association of Pauline Cooperators. Contact us for information about how you can get involved.
“The best Catholic bookstore with the best staff! The Daughters of St. Paul are some of the friendliest nuns you will ever meet. They even have an open to the public adoration chapel. It is a nice cool little retreat from the busy streets.”
Google Review
“Such a welcoming place. Great to just pop in and browse a bit, let something call out to you, and be inspired.”
Google Review
“Sunny, literally and figuratively. The nuns working the shop were so friendly and helpful. Great selection of books, plus lots of other sweet gifts.”
Google Review
“Me encanta este lugar de paz. El personal es muy amable. Encuentro todo lo que necesito y me encanta la capilla que tienen. Hermoso lugar de paz y oración.”
Google Review
Pauline Books and Media is a mission of the Daughters of St. Paul.
