(written in 2003)
In general, Christians are eager to be filled with the light of Christ. Among others, I would like to introduce how our founder, Fr. James Alberione, filled the world with Christ.
In a nutshell, he filled the world with the light of Christ first by living the light inside through his personal dream, preparation with constant effort, and Christ-centered prayer.
Then, he filled the world with Christ by sharing the light with others through a clear sense of mission resulting in responsibility, apostolic dedication, and service. Our “Constitutions” and the “AD” (Abundantes Divitiae Gratiae Suae) clearly show our founder's faithful way of living and sharing the light, that is, Christ, with the whole world.
By means of living the light first and then sharing the light with others, Fr. Alberione truly filled the world with Christ. And as a result of his charismatic intuition and vision, our congregation has steadily progressed in its apostolic mission by means of mass communication throughout the world.
He believed that the Father has chosen each of us to live in his Son, Christ, through Baptism. His elementary school teacher, Miss Rose Cardona once questioned some of her eighty pupils as to what they wanted to be when they grew up. He reflected for a while and then feeling enlightened, answered resolutely, “I am going to be a priest.” It was the first clear light. That incident made a change in his life. That is, his studies, piety, thoughts, behavior, and even his recreation periods were oriented toward that goal.
From then on, his reading, prayer, and entire formation were concentrated on his firm resolution. Of course, time was needed for calm, serene meditation upon his ideas about the things to be done. Then he received enlightenment one day while praying: “You can make a mistake, but I never do.”
In a dream that he had afterward, he felt he was given an answer. In fact, Jesus said to him: “Do not be afraid, I am with you. From here I will cast light. Repent your sins.”
He had a sufficiently clear awareness of his nothingness. He confessed that he is a half-blind man who is led as he goes along. He is constantly enlightened so that he can continue to move ahead. God is truly the light. With a firm conviction in God's will, he had a clear goal to communicate the light of Christ to the world.
“I live now not with my own life but with the life of Christ who lives in me” and “that Christ may live in us” were mottos in his life. The goal of “that Christ be formed in you” was originally indicated by the apostle Paul.
The Eucharist, representing the presence of living Christ among us, was light, nourishment, comfort, and victory over evil. So, he prayed for hours to begin a new apostolic mission by means of mass communication.
His secret of inner greatness and richness lies in modeling himself on God, living in Christ. Always alert to the signs of the times, he was ready to take on evangelization through the swiftest and most effective means that the necessities and conditions of the times require.
A special light came from the Host. He listened to Jesus, who said “Come to me, all of you.” By means of this grace, he became a transmitter of light, a loudspeaker of Jesus, and a secretary of the Evangelists. Communion with Christ freed him from egoism, enriched his life with spiritual fecundity, and developed in him a capacity for love.
It is love that empowers us to be sensitive to others and strengthened for self-giving and continual adaptation; love makes us creative and dynamic, and deeply committed to doing something for the Lord and for the people of our time. Like other sincere Christians, Fr. Alberione had such love.
It's a joy that we, Paulines, dedicate our time, our energies, and our very life to the cause of the Gospel. Imitating the example of Christ, the perfect communicator, we commit ourselves to adopt a way of expression consistent with the circumstances of the audience and suited to the time, the place, and the instrument of communication. We also want peace on earth. No more war!
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ March 15, 2003
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