ORDER OF ST. PAUL THE FIRST HERMIT
PAULINE FATHERS

Who was Saint Paul the First Hermit?

St Paul the Hermit should not be confused with St Paul the Apostle. St Paul the Hermit is traditionally considered as the first saint living the solitary life. He was born around the year 228 in Alexandria, Egypt, of wealthy and noble parents. During the persecution of the Christians by Caesar Decius in 250, young Paul fled to the Desert in Thebes by the Red Sea and learned to enjoy his solitary life "alone with God alone" so much, that he remained there for the rest of his life. He lived nearly ninety years in prayerful solitude, constant penance, and contemplation of God. Before he died he was discovered by St Anthony the Abbot who spread the news about his holiness.

It is believed that St Paul was kept alive by the fruit of a palm tree and by a raven which daily brought him a piece of bread. He died at the age of 113, at which time, as related by St Anthony, two lions dug grave for him.

The Order of St. Paul the Hermit was founded during the first half of the 13th century in Hungary. The founder of the Order was Eusebius, a Canon of Esztergom. The members of the Order were actually hermits who lived in the caves in Hungary. For their patron they chose St. Paul the First Hermit, thereby acquiring the name of the Order of St. Paul the First Hermit, in short "Pauline Fathers".

The monastic order spread throughout the countries of Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Austria and Bavaria. After a period of time the government ordered the closing of many monasteries. However, they persevered in Poland, where they furthered devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the main monastery in Czestochowa, where they still continue to reside.

The majority of the Orders monasteries are presently located in Poland. In the Seminary in Krakow there are over 80 students and in Novitiate more than 30 novices.

The Order has monasteries and Shrines also in Germany, Slovakia, Croatia, Ukraine, Belarusia, Hungary, Italy, United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Cameroon.

    The Seminarians with Holy Father John Paul II                                                  Novices
 

 ln the apostolate of our Order from the very beginning, Mary has played a special role. She is present in its life and in all spheres of its activities. Our Order has always venerated Her as the Mediatrix of All Graces and has zealously propagated devotion to Her. (Pauline Constitution)

How to become Pauline Father or Brother?

If you feel that God is calling you to serve him and the Christian Community in our Order
Please write a letter to:
Vocation Director
Pauline Fathers
PO Box 21
Creighton 3263
South Africa

A prayer toSt Paul the First Hermit
O God, who willed that St Paul achieved a high degree of sanctity through a life of solitude, prayer and penance in the desert, grant that through his intercession, we, who are striving to develop in ourselves the spirit of prayer and service, may come ever closer to you in love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.