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Pauline first entered my life when I was
10 years old. I was a member of the
Holy Childhood Association, founded
by Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson, a
friend of Pauline, on May 19, 1843. The
Bishop consulted Pauline and took
the idea from her. The Society of the
Propagation of the Faith was founded
by Pauline on May 3, 1822. Pauline’s plan
for her Associations was triune - simple,
practical and possible for all:
Prayer, Penny and Propagation
Through the Association of the Holy
Childhood, the children took an active
part in the mission work of the Church.
Their commitment: One Hail Mary
each day and a Penny each month -
“Pennies for Pauline!”
Reading the book that was given to
me gave me knowledge of Pauline’s
missionary heart and was one of the
many inspirations that developed my
vocation to the priesthood. My knowledge
of her became deeper when I
became a member of the Universal
Living Rosary on September 8, 1999. I
was in the seminary then, and this
deepened my love and devotion to
praying the Holy Rosary and loving
St. Philomena.
When I learned that Pauline would
be beatified, I had a sculptor make a 45”
statue of Pauline to be exposed for our
veneration and carried in procession
on the day of her beatification. Her
blue dress signifies her love for Our
Lady, the white lily her purity and life
of total dedication to serving God in
the poor and sick. The
Rosary is a reminder of
the importance of the
Rosary and devotion to
our Daily Decade.