On New Year’s Eve 1900-1901, while praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, James Alberione, a young seminarian, became profoundly aware of God’s call for him to do something for the people of the new century. He noticed the growing influence of newspapers and the press in his own life and in society, and saw the press as a way to spread the Good News. In 1915, Fr James gathered a group of young women under the guidance of Teresa Merlo (later to become Sr Thecla) to begin the Daughters of St. Paul.

The Sisters began printing and distributing Bibles and later under the guidance of Fr James and Sr Thecla, began to use radio, film, music and all effective modern forms of communicating to spread the message of the Gospel. Today they work in the publication, production and distribution of books, music, CDs, and videos, magazines, posters and computer software all which carry a Christian message. They maintain bookshops and, in some countries, produce radio and TV programs, and maintain websites.