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Venerable Thecla Merlo, date and photographer unknownAlso known as

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Italian peasant. A pious youth, she was trained as a seamstress. She desired a religious life, and was convinced by Father James Alberione to become a co-foundress of the Daughters of Saint Paul, a congregation devoted to spreading the Gospel through print and mass media. She took the name “Thecla” from the name of an early convert of Saint Paul‘s. The congregation faced opposition in the early days as it was unheard of for women in general, and nuns in particular, to edit and publish newspapers, run printing presses, etc.

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We must have a great mind and heart. We must think of the entire world, of all the people who are still waiting for the light of the Gospel. Let us feel our responsibility toward those people. – Venerable Thecla Merlo

The power idea which must animate us is the thought of souls. This thought must goad us on. We must be concerned about how we are to reach people and bring them the Word of truth and salvation. How many souls never hear of God! Who will help them? – Venerable Thecla Merlo, writing to her sisters

Our Congregation will always be young, because it will make use of every new means to do good. – Venerable Thecla Merlo

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