We thought that today, when the Church observes the Feast of Blessed Pauline (1817-1881), it would be appropriate to share an English translation of the homily. Through the wonders of technology and the kindness of Sister Adalberta in Germany, we are able to share the text, which appeared in an article in the May 13, 1985 issue of L'Osservatore Romano. Click here to access the article.
Here are some excerpts of the Holy Father's homily:
"The
spiritual message of the new Blessed, Pauline von Mallinckrodt, can be summed
up in a very relevant and concrete philosophy of life: to follow Christ
unreservedly in unshakable faith; to love God and lovingly to dedicate oneself
to the most lowly and poor, for the sake of Christ.
. . .
Hers was a
conscious and courageous faith. It
allowed her to endure pain, bitterness and many trials, and it showed itself in
her complete and unreserved love for Jesus Christ and his Mother Mary. Full of confidence and trust she left herself
in their hands. Striving for God and his
greater glory she grew in grace, for she constantly drew strength from prayer
in the context of a profound eucharistic life.
. . .
Her plans
were daring; but she knew how to wait in quiet and humble restraint for the
time which God would choose. Her work
grew successful, though only amid continual struggles and difficulties. The time of its greatest growth also saw the
coming of a destructive storm, persecution under the laws of the Kulturkampf. But here too Mother Pauline showed her
interior openness to the will of God and was ready and able to encounter
trials, and make her Way of the Cross.
The life of
Mother Pauline is an example to us. In
answer to the anxious unrest of modern man she shows us a way to inner peace:
by courageously and trustingly seeing God in one’s suffering brother and
sister. Thus her message has relevance
today too, for the search for God is always relevant."
Happy Feast of Blessed Pauline!
Blessed Pauline, we pray to you: Lead us to God!
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