Our Pauline spirituality has eremitical roots. Our patron, Saint Paul the First Hermit, lived 90 years in the desert of Egypt at the turn of the 3rd and 4th century. With him, we also adopted the entire tradition of the desert fathers into our spirituality. In this regard, nurturing the contemplation of God alone is our first spiritual trait. Personal prayer is perhaps the most important element of Pauline spirituality. Everything else flows from the encounter with God, and therefore all our apostolic life. In order to give God to someone, we must first be filled with Him. Our Pauline motto is Solus cum Deo solo which means Alone with God Alone.
OUR SPIRITUALITY
Alone With God Alone
”Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
J 15, 4-5
The Word of God
Following the desert fathers, reading and meditating on God’s Word is a very important element of our spirituality. In our Order we have morning meditation every day, and traditionally a second one in the evening. Our meditation on the Sacred Scripture is based especially on Lectio Divina. Hearing God’s Word is essential to knowing God’s Will.
”Yet just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Iz 55:10-11
The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Another element of our spirituality is the devotion and imitation of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Since the beginning of our Order’s existence, the Cross has always been very important in our spirituality. Our first fathers called themselves the Brothers of the Holy Cross. We strive to imitate the Passion of Our Lord by leading a patient and a poor life and through the practice of penance as a participation in the saving suffering of Christ.
”And whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it for which I sent it.
Mt 10, 38-39
Mary, the Mother and Protectress of Our Order
Another feature integral to our spirituality is our devotion, is a devotion to Mary. Mary, just like the Cross, has been present with us since the beginning of our Order. Our fathers, through the entire tradition of the Church, have entrusted themselves to the protection and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From centuries until today, our fathers take care of numerous Shrines dedicated to the Mother of God, where many pilgrims experience her motherly protection.
”Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son. Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home
J 19, 25-27
Holy Angels
Another element of our spirituality is the devotion to the Holy Angels. According to The Life of St. Paul the First Hermit, the angels were to take his soul into heaven after death. We also have a strong tradition in our Order of creating the Brotherhoods of Guardian Angels in our Churches. Angels are our Guardians, and it is worth asking them for help in everyday life.
”See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared
Wj 23, 20
A Devotion to the Saints
A feature of our spirituality is, of course, the cult of saints; among them are St. Paul the First Hermit, the main patron of our Order; St. Augustine of Hippo, whose Rule was adopted by our order in 1308; Blessed Eusebius of Esztergom, the Founder of our Order; saints associated with the eremitical life, St. Anthony the Abbot, St. Macarius the Great, St. John Cassian, St. Pachomius the Great the Abbot, and St. Jerome. We also honor saints who were associated with our Order, such as St. Jadwiga (Hedwig), the Queen of Poland and St. Casimir, a prince of Poland and Lithuania. We also pray to God through the intercession of All Saints of the Pauline Order. The intercession of the saints is very important as they help us to follow Christ and his mother Mary in a better way in our personal journey to holiness.
”The LORD said to Moses: Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them:
Kpł 19, 1-2
Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy
