A “Visible” Presence of the Apostle in the Pauline Family A “Visible” Presence of the Apostle in the Pauline Family Paul and Fr. Alberione

Paul is standing: a sign of his readiness to serve the Lord. This spirit of availability springs from his heart, on which his right hand is resting, as if to protect the treasure it contains and draw from it.

The Apostle’s lifted gaze and the light pouring down from on high indicate that the beginning and end are not Paul but Jesus, who is Way, Truth and Life, our Light and the Light of the world.

Paul’s red mantle and his sword symbolize his mission and martyrdom. They testify to the radical way in which he followed Jesus, which makes him a model for all those called to understand, live and proclaim to the world the mystery of Christ the Lord.

The closed book represents the “mystery hidden through the ages,” that is, the universal call to salvation that Paul was commissioned to announce to the Gentiles.

An intense light pours down from on high, enveloping Paul, shedding light on the group of people below him and also illuminating the world, wrapped in darkness.

The artist depicts different degrees of light: from the pale translucence of the background, to the bright light that touches Paul’s shoulders, to the intense radiance of heavenly glory.

The Apostle’s sandals and out-thrust foot symbolize his continual labors for the Gospel and his yearning to proclaim the Good News to those who had not yet heard of Jesus Christ.

St. Augustine, bishop, Doctor of the Church and theologian, who is looking at Paul. In his left hand is a closed Bible and in his right a shepherd’s staff. St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and theologian, who is scrutinizing an open Bible. St. Bonaventure, bishop, Doctor of the Church and theologian, with his right hand on his heart and a closed Bible tucked under his left arm. He is intently studying the open Bible held by St. Thomas. St. Augustine, bishop, Doctor of the Church and theologian, who is looking at Paul. In his left hand is a closed Bible and in his right a shepherd’s staff. St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and theologian, who is scrutinizing an open Bible. St. Bonaventure, bishop, Doctor of the Church and theologian, with his right hand on his heart and a closed Bible tucked under his left arm. He is intently studying the open Bible held by St. Thomas. At Paul’s feet, we see depicted, from left to right:

St. Alphonsus, bishop, Doctor of the Church and moral theologian, contemplating the crucifix. St. Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor of the Church, liturgist and pastor, who holds an open Bible in his left hand and a shepherd’s staff in his right. Leo XIII, the author of Tametsi Futura and Rerum Novarum, who is kneeling with his hands clasped.

The icon is enclosed in a frame that resembles a large open door. At the sides of the painting, four other illustrious disciples of Paul and Doctors of the Church are depicted in bas-relief: St. Jerome, who is writing in a book. St. Albert the Great, who is gazing upward and holding a book. St. Bernard, who holds a book in his left hand and a shepherd’s staff in his right. St. Francis de Sales, who holds an open book in his hands.

The Doctors, Fathers and theologians of the Church… drew inspiration from the Apostle Paul and won intellectuals over to Christ, bringing about the embrace of two sisters: reason and faith. They united holiness and learning… The Doctors, Fathers and theologians of the Church… drew inspiration from the Apostle Paul and won intellectuals over to Christ, bringing about the embrace of two sisters: reason and faith. They united holiness and learning…

The inscription at the foot of the icon describes the personality of the Apostle Paul: saint, apostle, chosen vessel, teacher of the Gentiles, martyr, protector of the editions.

In explaining the meaning of this painting, Father Alberione wrote: “Let us praise Jesus Master for revealing to St. Paul the ‘manifold wisdom of God’ and let us thank him for having made the Apostle a ‘chosen vessel’ and ‘doctor of the Gentiles.’ Let us pray to St. Paul, study him and imitate him in life, in knowledge and in the apostolate.”