From 24 to 25 October 2009, in preparation for the new academic year, two days of spiritual retreat was organised for the students–confreres of the International College of Queen of Apostles at St. Vincent Pallotti Spirituality Centre, at Grottaferrata, Rome. The retreat started with an excellent spiritual conference by Fr. Karl Heinen, our Procurator General, on the Biblical text Micah 6,8: “You have already been told what is right and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, to do what is right, to love loyalty and to walk humbly with your God”. Time was given for silence, faith sharing and liturgical celebrations. On the second day, Fr. Gilberto Orsolin, Rector of the Generalate Community, spoke about “Intercultural experience: a richness and challenge in community life” and Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, the Formation Guide, deliberated on the theme “Pallottine Formation: its importance for the students-confreres of the International College”. Both the conferences highlighted the points mentioned in the “Guidelines of the International College at the Generalate House”. As a whole, it was a very positive experience for all the 15 participants of this spiritual retreat, the first initiative of this nature.

In the month of October 2009, n.22/2009 of the Publication “Apostolato Universale”, consisting of 72 pages, was sent out to all subscribers. The texts of this issue present reflections on Pallottine history and its impacts on actual life. Precious to the Pallottine historians are the tracts on the historical memories of St. Teresa Eustochio Verzeri (1801-1852), Founder of Daughters of the Heart of Jesus. The charismatic intuitions of our Founder are realised in diverse works today. It is confirmed in history and the actual state of the Centre of Rehabilitation for Lepers, “Jeevodaya”, which celebrates 40 years of its foundation this year. In the part dedicated to formation, this issue presents the texts of conferences from the cycle of Meetings of Study on the Word of God in St. Vincent Pallotti: one on Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church in the time of St. Vincent Pallotti and the other on the Word of God in the spiritual formation of St. Vincent Pallotti. The conference on the celebration of the Word of God, the central point of which is the reflection on the Biblical themes in the preaching of Pallotti, is also added. As always, this issue contains the collection of the publications of Pallottine Authors during the period January-June 2009. There is also a summary of the thesis of doctorate on the “St. Vincent Pallotti’s spirituality of priesthood and its impact on collaboration with the laity”. On the last page you will find information on the activities of the Institute of St. Vincent Pallotti and the archive under its care.
ALL THE NUMBERS UP TO NOW PUBLISHED

On Sunday, 27 September 2009, at 11.00 A.M., the Pallottine parish of “St.Vincent Pallotti” in Naples had a very special celebration. According to the official resolution of the Joint Municipality, the Square in front of the Church was named after our Founder and his statue was installed there. The ceremony was attended by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, the Major of the City, Dr Rosa Russo Iervolino and the City Councillor of Toponomastic, Dr. Ponticelli Alfredo. The Society of the Catholic Apostolate was represented by the Procurator General, Fr. K. Heinen S.A.C, the Personal Secretary of the Rector General, Fr. W. Weiss S.A.C and the General Consultor, Fr. F. Todisco S.A.C. Fr. A. Lotti, Provincial Rector, came from the Italian Province of “Queen of Apostles”.
After the discourse and blessing by the Cardinal, during the applause, first the name plate and then, the statue of St. Vincent Pallotti in white marble, sculptured by the company Salvatore Zingarelli di Mugnano (NA) was installed in front of the Church. The Saint is presented as young and benevolent with the Madonna in his left hand, showing the permanence of his sanctity, achieved through the discovery and practice of love towards God and his fellow human beings.

On October 8, 2009, after the summer holidays, the Institute of St. Vincent Pallotti began again to reflect on the theme: “Judith and Mary, the symbolic figures in the spirituality of Pallotti”. Prof. Donatella Scaiola, a professor of Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical University Urbaniana, began her presentation with information on the Book of Judith. She explained that it was composed in the second century BC, a dramatic period for the Jews. It speaks of a woman called Judith, meaning "the Jews". Judith was a rich young widow, and was distinguished for her beauty, for her wisdom and for her faith tested in suffering. Her heroic act in the liberation of the city of Betulia from the power of the army of Holofernes served as an example to the Jewish people. Prof. Donatella said that in the figure of Judith many stories of the Old Testament are reflected, as for example, that of David and Goliath. At first glance it seems that the figures of Judith and Mary do not have a close bond. In fact the New Testament does not even mention the name “Judith”. Comparing, however, these two figures, we find in the Mary of Nazareth many characteristic traits of the spiritual figure of Judith. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, regarded herself a fragile woman, a servant of the Lord. In her faith, she raises her Magnificat to God who works great wonders in her and in her people.
Contemplating those two biblical figures was done by Pallotti in a rather traditional way, based on the biblical exegesis of that time and in the tradition of the Church. He had in mind to bring across to the people the faith and the great trust Judith and Mary had in God.
The teaching of the Book of Judith was a radical actuality at the time of Pallotti, as there was a great urgency to revive faith in the people. In conclusion, Prof. Donatella pointed out that even today the book of Judith retains its validity and has a profound missionary dimension.

Fr. Norberto Pohl (AR) - Argentina, born on 30.11.1922; First Consecration on 25.04.1949; Priestly Ordination on 27.07.1952; died on 09.10.2009.