TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT...... 3 ABBREVIATIONS...... 4 GENERAL INTRODUCTION...... 17

CHAPTER ONE...... 25 AN EXPLORATION OF THE LIFE AND THE APOSTOLATE OF ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI AMONG YOUTH...... 25

PART I ...... 25 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND TIME OF THE ...... 25 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 25 2. THE PERSON: HIS FAMILY, CHILDHOOD AND FORMATION...... 26 2.1. His Parents and Family...... 26 2.2. His Early Days of Holiness and Education...... 27 2.3. His Priestly Formation and Scholarly Brilliance...... 27 3. PALLOTTI: A PRIEST ON THE MISSION OF CHRIST...... 28 3.1. Pallotti as Preacher and Healer of Souls...... 28 3.2. Pallotti as Servant of the Sick and the Unfortunate...... 29 3.3. Pallotti and his Missionary Zeal...... 29 3.4. Pallotti in the Company of Sainthood...... 30 4. HIS TIME: AN AGE OF TRANSITION: 1795 -1850...... 30 4.1. The French Revolution and thereafter...... 31 4.2. The State of Affairs in Italy...... 32 4.2.1. The “Risorgimento” Movement in Italy...... 32 4.2.2. The Socio-Political Condition in the and Its Popes...... 33 4.3. Wide Spread Anticlericalism and Religious Harassment in Europe...... 34 5. SOME OTHER GENERAL TRENDS IN EUROPE...... 34 5.1. The State of Affairs of the Catholic Religious Orders...... 34 5.2. The Catholic Movements and Lay Participation...... 34 5.3. Missionary Resurgence Europe...... 35 5.4. Some Notable Intellectual Movements of the Time...... 36

7 PART II ...... 37 ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI’S APOSTOLATE AMONG THE YOUTH OF HIS TIME ...... 37 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 37 2. PALLOTTI’S WORK AMONG SECULAR YOUTH...... 38 2.1. Pallotti as a Seminarian and his Work among the Young...... 38 2.2. Pallotti as a Promoter of Religious Instruction and Youth Formation...... 39 2.3. Pallotti as a Mentor of Students in the Oratories...... 40 2.4. Pallotti as an Animator of Night Schools for Adolescent Workmen...... 41 2.5. Pallotti as a Formator of Young Agriculturists...... 42 2.6. Pallotti as a Spiritual Father for Young Soldiers and Prisoners...... 43 3. INSTITUTION OF PIA CASA DI CARITA...... 44 3.1. The Reason behind Pia Casa di Carita...... 44 3.2. The Beginning of Pia Casa di Carita...... 45 3.3. The Rule of Love as the Fundamental to Pia Casa di Carita...... 46 3.4. The Educative Role of Pia Casa di Carita...... 47 3.5. The Different Vocations of Pia Casa di Carita...... 47 3.6. People of Good Will of Pia Casa di Carita...... 48 4. PALLOTTI’S WORK AMONG YOUNG CLERICS...... 48 4.1. Pallotti in the Roman College...... 49 4.2. Pallotti in the Urban College of the Propagation of the Faith...... 49 4.3. Pallotti and his Colleagues in Other Colleges...... 50 4.4. Pallotti’s Various Roles among the Young Seminarians...... 50 5. SOME OBSERVATION...... 51 6. CONCLUSION ...... 54

CHAPTER TWO...... 55 AN UNDERSTANDING OF CHARISM IN THE CHURCH AND THE PALLOTTINE CHARISM...... 55

PART I ...... 55 A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHARISM...... 55 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 55 2. A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHARISM...... 55 2.1. Terminological Precision...... 56 2.2. The Biblical Foundations...... 58 2.2.1. Charism in the Old Testament...... 58 2.2.2. Charism in the Gospels...... 59 2.2.3. The Charisms: A Pauline Understanding...... 59 2.3. The Traditional Witnesses of Charism...... 61 2.4. Charism in the Magisterial Teachings of the Church...... 61 2.4.1. Lumen Gentium (November 21, 1964)...... 62

8 2.4.2. Christus Dominus (October 28, 1965)...... 63 2.4.3. Perfectae Caritatis (October 28, 1965)...... 63 2.4.4. Apostolicum Actuositatem (November 18, 1965)...... 63 2.4.5. Gaudium et Spes (December 7, 1965)...... 64 2.4.6. Evangelica Testificatio (June 29, 1971)...... 64 2.4.7. Christifideles Laici (December 30, 1988)...... 65 2.4.8. Vita Consecrata (March 25, 1996)...... 66 2.5. Contemporary Theological Trends and Characteristics of Charism...... 67 2.5.1. Charism: Bestows Variety of Free Gifts and Grace of the One Spirit.. 67 2.5.2. Charism: Qualifies Every Apostolate and office of the Church...... 68 2.5.3. Charism: Necessitates Discernment...... 68 2.5.4. Charism: Serves of the Church and One Another...... 69 2.5.5. Charism: Subjects to Ecclesial Authority...... 69 2.5.6. Charism: Reminds Religious of their Roots and Foundation...... 70 2.5.7. Charism: Promotes Institution and Organization...... 71 3. CONCLUSION ...... 71

PART II ...... 72 THE PALLOTTINE CHARISM...... 72 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 72 2. THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF PALLOTTI’S VISION...... 72 3. THE UNION OF THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE...... 74 3.1. The Foundation and Prophetic Insight of the Union...... 74 3.2. The Meaning, Mission and Method of the Union...... 76 3.2.1. The Meaning of the Union:...... 76 3.2.2. The Mission of the Union...... 76 3.2.3. The Method of the Union...... 77 3.3. The Theological Foundations and Pallottine Heritages of Charism...... 77 3.3.1. The Infinite Love and Mercy of God the Father as the Source of the Union...... 78 3.3.2. Jesus Christ the Apostle of the Eternal Father as Model of the Union.. 79 3.3.3. Mary Queen of Apostles as the Patron of the Union...... 80 3.3.4. The Impelling Love of God as the Motivation of the Union...... 81 3.4. The Core Pastoral Characteristics of the Pallottine Charism...... 82 3.4.1. Charism: Invites all Clergy and the Lay Faithful to Apostolate...... 83 3.4.2. Charism: Calls to Communion and Collaboration...... 85 3.4.3. Charism: Serves the Church and Humanity...... 86 3.4.4. Charism: Upholds Equality in Dignity...... 87 3.4.5. Charism: Resists every Sin and Injustice...... 88 3.4.6. Charism: Promotes Evangelisation...... 89 4. CONCLUSION ...... 89

9 CHAPTER THREE...... 91 GLOBAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING­ INDUSTRY IN INDIA: MEANING, NATURE AND PROCESS...... 91 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 91 2. TERMS AND CONCEPTS IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ...... 92 2.1. Globalisation and its Meaning...... 93 2.2. Information Technology...... 95 2.3. Information Technology Enabled Services...... 96 2.4. Outsourcing ...... 97 2.5. Business Process Outsourcing...... 98 3. INDIA: AS THE HUB OF WORLD’S OUTSOURCING DESTINATION..... 100 3.1. India Today: A Brief Background in the Age of Globalisation...... 101 3.2. India – The Favourable Political and Economic Policies for IT industry...... 102 3.3. India – The Personal and Educational Advantage...... 104 3.4. India—The Cost advantage...... 106 3.5. India – The Time and Location Advantage...... 106 3.6. India – Its Benefits from the IT and BPO industry...... 107 3.6.1. Rapid Economic Expansion...... 107 3.6.2. Growth in Employment Prospects...... 108 3.6.3. Increase in Woman’s Employment and Equal Opportunities...... 109 3.6.4. Development in the Country’s Business and Work Culture...... 110 3.6.5. Improved Quality of Urban Life and Purchasing Power...... 110 3.6.6. Other Economic and Social Impacts...... 110 4. NATURE AND PROCESS OF INDIAN BPO...... 111 4.1. Nature and types of BPO...... 111 4.2. Diversity of Services in BPO...... 112 4.3. BPO as Career Option and Attraction...... 112 4.4. Employees’ Personal Benefits...... 114 4.4.1. Salary and Other Financial Benefits...... 114 4.4.2. Enormous Employment Opportunity...... 115 4.4.3. Support to the Family...... 115 4.4.4. Better Lifestyle and Purchasing Power...... 116 4.4.5. Improved Proficiency in Language and Skills...... 116 4.4.6. Prospect of International Exposure...... 116 4.5. BPO’s Demands and Requirements as Career...... 116 4.5.1. Need of Proficiency in Language...... 116 4.5.2. Technical Skills and Qualifications...... 117 4.5.3. Capacity and Cleverness over Soft-skills Management...... 118 4.5.4. Ability to adjust to Work-time, Process and Physical Strains...... 118

10 4.5.5. Ability to adjust to Emotional Strain...... 119 5. CONCLUSIONS ...... 120

CHAPTER FOUR...... 121 THE IT/ITES/BPO SECTOR IN INDIA THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE LIFE OF THE CATHOLIC­ YOUTH ‘THE HUMAN AND PASTORAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS’...... 121 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 121 2. SOME GENERAL CONSEQUENCES AND UNCERTAINTIES OF IT/BPO INDUSTRY...... 122 2.1. The Political Instability, Communal Disturbances, Terrorism and Naxal Insecurity...... 122 2.2. The International Competition and Sustainability...... 123 2.3. The Fear of Losing Youth Potential and Prospects for the Future...... 124 2.4. The Emergence of Youth Subculture among the Young People...... 126 2.5. The Socio–Economic Inequalities among Youth and the Indian Population.127 3. THE HUMAN AND PASTORAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF THE CATHOLIC YOUTH OF THE IT/ITES/BPO SECTOR...... 129 3.1. Issues and Concerns at Personal-Behavioural Level...... 132 3.1.1. The Stress Factor...... 132 3.1.2. Multiple Personality Disorder and Other Psychiatric Problems...... 134 3.1.3. Facing Customers’ Racial and Cultural Abuse...... 135 3.1.4. Job Hopping...... 137 3.1.5. Consumerist Lifestyle...... 138 3.1.6. Attitude of Individualism as Against Collectivism...... 139 3.2. Issues and Concerns at the Relational Level...... 139 3.2.1. Changes in Personal Lifestyle and Relationships...... 140 3.2.2. Changes in Family and Social Life...... 141 3.2.3. Influence and Impact of Peer Pressures and Relationship...... 143 3.3. Issues and Concerns at Mental and Physical Health Level...... 144 3.3.1. Sleep Disorders...... 146 3.3.2. Burnout Stress Syndromes (=BOSS)...... 146 3.3.3. Depression ...... 146 3.3.4. Hypertension ...... 147 3.3.5. Anxiety ...... 147 3.3.6. Digestive Problem...... 148 3.3.7. Voice-related Problems...... 148 3.3.8. Eyesight Problems...... 148 3.3.9. Hearing Problems...... 149 3.3.10 Heart Disease and Obesity Problem...... 149

11 3.4. Issues and Concerns at Faith and Moral Level in Catholic Youth...... 149 3.4.1. Detachment and Dropout in Attendance at the Institutionalized Church...... 151 3.4.2. Expressing Christian and Biblical Values and Principles...... 152 3.4.3. Love Affairs, Premarital Sex and Marriage Concerns...... 153 3.4.4. Unfaithfulness to Single Partners and Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS... 156 3.4.5. Growing Number of Abortions...... 158 3.4.6. Growing Number of Divorces...... 158 3.4.7. Interfaith Marriages...... 158 3.4.8. Mixed Marriages...... 159 3.4.9. Alcohol, Tobacco and Substance Use...... 160 3.4.10 Misuse of Freedom and Lack of Parental Care and Discipline...... 160 4. CONCLUSION ...... 161

CHAPTER FIVE...... 163 THE SURVEY ANALYSIS AND RESULTS...... 163

PART I ...... 163 THE BACKGROUND OF THE SURVEY...... 163 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 163 2. THE SURVEY OBJECTIVES...... 164 3. THE SURVEY DESIGN: THE METHOD AND FORMATION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE­ ...... 164 4. THE DATA COLLECTION AND THE METHODOLOGY...... 166 5. THE TEAM WORK AND TRAINING...... 167 6. SOME POINTS OF CONCERN DURING THE SURVEY...... 167

PART II ...... 169 ANALYSES OF THE DATA THROUGH GRAPHS AND TABLES...... 169 1. INDRODUCTION ...... 169 2. THE GROUPING OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE...... 169 2.1. Enquiries about Personnel and Their Jobs...... 169 1. The Sex Ratio of the Participants:...... 170 2. The Educational Qualifications of the Participants:...... 170 3. The Age Ratio of the Participants:...... 171 4. Could you describe your present job in four or five core statements?...... 172 5. Besides too many economic, career and monetary advantages of the IT/ITES industry, are there some general issues (like below) that you and your friends may be worried or scared about as a result of the IT/ITES sector?...... 173

12 6. Do the following areas suffer due to your working lifestyle 24/7 in the IT/ITES industry?...... 175 2.2. Enquiries about Religious Faith and Belief...... 177 7. Do you believe in God and experience Him personally?...... 178 8. Does your new work and lifestyle affect your faith in God?...... 179 9. Is religion important for you?...... 180 10. Does your work influence your religious faith and practices, due to working on Sundays, odd shifts, work pressure and internal policies and politics?...... 181 11. As you work for 24/7, do you find some time for the following religious activities and practices?...... 182 11.1. Do you find time for Holy-Mass and how often?...... 182 11.2. Do you find time for personal prayer and how often?...... 183 11.3. Do you find time for Church’s social and voluntary activities and how often?...... 184 11.4. Do you find time for visiting a church and prayer group and how often?...... 184 11.5. Do you find time for meditation/retreats etc and how often?...... 185 12. There is a general notion that there has been a huge drop in the number of the young people in your profession participating in the Church’s liturgical celebrations and in other church activities as compared to the past! Do you agree?...... 186 13. Why do people drop or stop their activities in the ?...... 187 13.1. Do you partake in any other church denomination’s liturgical and prayer activities other than the Catholic Church?...... 189 13.2. Why do many Catholic young people go other church ­denominations?...... 190 14. What do you expect the Church to do something concretely in this regard to improve the situation? Can you make a few suggestions to the Church?...... 191 15. Do you find difficult to express Christian identity, Biblical values and follow Catholic moral teachings at your workplace?...... 195 16. Do the following influence your expression of your Christian identity and your airing of your views at your workplace?...... 196 2.3. Enquiries about Moral and Ethical Position...... 197 17. Since you are exposed to modern means of communications, do you use them to advance your knowledge about religious, moral and ethical issues?...... 198 18. To what extent do your religious beliefs affect the following aspects of your moral and ethical life?...... 199

13 18.1. The Influence of Catholic Beliefs on Work/Occupation:...... 199 18.2. The Influence of Catholic Beliefs on Sexual Attitude:...... 200 18.3. The Influence of Catholic Beliefs on Voluntary Services:...... 201 18.4. The Influence of Catholic Beliefs on coping Crisis and Stress:...... 202 18.5. The Influence of Catholic Beliefs on Works of Charity:...... 203 18.6. The Influence of Catholic Beliefs on Political Participation:...... 204 19. Opinions of the Participants on Premarital Sex:...... 205 20. Opinions of the Participants on Unfaithfulness to love and Marriage:.... 206 21. Opinions of the Participants on use of Contraceptive Methods:...... 207 22. Opinions of the Participants on Abortion:...... 208 23. Opinions of the Participants on Divorce:...... 209 24. On Awareness of Mixed Marriages and Interfaith Marriages:...... 210 25. Opinions of the Participants on Mixed Marriages/ Interfaith Marriages:...211 26. Opinions of the Participants on the Use of Alcohol/ Tobacco, Drugs:.... 212 27. Opinions of the Participants on Parental Discipline and Guidance:...... 213 28. Opinions of the Participants on Consumerist Values and Principles:...... 215 29. Who is Jesus for you?...... 216 30. Participants’ views of their job, life and faith and their suggestions...... 218 4. CONCLUSION ...... 219

CHAPTER SIX ...... 220 A PALLOTTINE PASTORAL RESPONSE TO YOUTH MINISTRY...... 220

PART 1 ...... 220 THE SURVEY OBSERVATIONS THIER THEOLOGICAL AND PASTORAL ­MANIFESTATIONS: THE CHALLENGES BEFORE THE CHURCH AND THE YOUTH IN IT/ITES/BPO SECTOR IN INDIA...... 220 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 220 2. FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS–FROM THE SURVEY...... 221 2.1. Observations on God, Religion, Faith and Community Life [Questions 7-16 and 29]...... 221 2.1.1. Observations on God and Religious Experience...... 222 2.1.2. Observation on their adherence to Catholicism...... 222 2.1.3. Observations on Faith and Community Experiences and Expectations...... 223 2.2. Observations on the Specific Requirements of IT/ITES Participants...... 225 2.2.1. A Requirement of Special Liturgical Services...... 225 2.2.2. A Requirement of a Specialised Pastoral Care to Migrated Youth..... 226 2.2.3. A Requirement of a Specialised Pastoral Care and Accompaniment.226 2.2.4. A Requirement of a Full Time Minister and Pastor...... 227

14 2.2.5. A Requirement of a Loving and Person-oriented Christian Community...... 227 2.3. Observation on the Church’s Moral Teachings [Questions 17-28]...... 228 2.3.1. On Premarital Sex...... 228 2.3.2. On Unfaithfulness to Sex and Marriage...... 228 2.3.3. On Contraception...... 229 2.3.4. On Abortion...... 229 2.3.5. On Divorce...... 229 2.3.6. On Mixed and Interfaith Marriages...... 229 2.4. Observation on Work-Life and Family...... 230 2.4.1. On Personal Work-life...... 230 2.4.2. On Family Life...... 231 2.5. Some other Significant Observations...... 231 3. THEOLOGICAL AND PASTORAL MANIFESTATIONS: THE CHALLENGES BEFORE THE CHURCH AND THE YOUTH IN IT/ITES/BPO SECTOR IN INDIA...... 232 3.1. The Challenges of Globalization...... 233 3.2. The Challenges of Secularization and Westernisation...... 235 3.3. The Challenges of Media, Communication and Technological Explosion..... 236 3.4. The Challenges of Consumerism and Self-sufficiency...... 237 3.5. The Challenges of Migrated Young in the IT/ITES Sectors...... 238 3.6. The Challenges of Multi-Religious Context...... 239 3.7. The Challenges to the Decline of Christian Faith and Moral Life...... 240 3.8. The Challenges to Credible and Witnessing Church...... 242

PART II ...... 245 A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF MINISTRY AMONG THE IT/ITES/BPO SECTOR CATHOLIC YOUNG IN THE LIGHT OF ST.VINCENT PALLOTTI’S YOUTH WORKS AND THE CHARISM...... 245 1. INTRODUCTION: THE NEED FOR A NEW PERSPECTIVE...... 245 2. THE COMPARISON OF THE TIMES...... 248 3. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION OF THE PALLOTTI’S YOUTH WORK AND CHARISM TO THE YOUTH MINISTRY- ‘THE FIVE PALLOTTINE YOUTH FORMATIVE PRINCIPLES’...... 250 3.1. Principle One: “Revival of Faith and Rekindling Charity”: The Mission to Youth Ministry...... 251 3.1.1. By Providing Experience of God...... 253 3.1.2. By Providing Faith and Moral Formation Programmes...... 254 3.1.3. By Promoting lively and Participative celebration of Liturgy...... 255 3.1.4. By Promoting Participation in the Mission of the Church...... 256 3.1.5. By Promoting Biblical and Social Values/ Responsibilities...... 258

15 3.2. Principle Two: “All Are Called To Apostolate”: The Key to Youth Ministry... 260 3.3 Principle Three: “Love”: The Motivation to Youth Ministry...... 264 3.3.1. To Foster a True Sense of Christian Love...... 265 3.3.2. To Encourage a Ministry of Love...... 266 3.4. Principle Four: “Communion and Collaboration”: The Gift to Youth Ministry...... 268 3.4.1. To Foster Communion and Collaboration within the Youth Ministry...... 269 3.4.2. To Promote Collaboration with other Ecclesial and Social Entities.. 270 3.5. Principle Five: “The Union of the Catholic Apostolate”: an Ecclesial Association to carry out the youth ministry...... 272 4. CONCLUSION ...... 275

GENERAL CONCLUSION...... 276

BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 281

THE PRIMARY SOURCES...... 281 1. THE BIBLE ...... 281 2. THE CHURCH DOCUMENTS AND TEACHINGS...... 281 2.1. Documents of the Second Vatican Council...... 281 2.2. Papal Documents...... 281 2.3. Documents of the Sacred Congregations...... 282 2.4. Various Addresses of the Holy Fathers...... 282 2.5. Documents of Bishops Council of India/Asia...... 283 3. PALLOTTINE DOCUMENTS...... 283 3.1. OOCC; Collection of Original works and writings of Pallotti...... 283 3.2. SAC Documents...... 284 3.3. UCA Documents...... 284

THE SECONDARY SOURCES...... 285 4. BOOKS ON ST.VINCENT PALLOTTI...... 285 5. GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 286 6. ARTICLES, JOURNALS AND NEWSPAPER REPORTS...... 291 6.1. Articles ...... 291 6.2. News Papers and Journals...... 292 7. INTERNET SOURCES...... 295

INDEX ...... 302 APPENDIX ...... 310

16 CHAPTER ONE

AN EXPLORATION OF THE LIFE AND THE APOSTOLATE OF ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI AMONG YOUTH

PART I

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND TIME OF THE SAINT

1. INTRODUCTION A founder is the Spirit’s vanguard in history and it is always the founder who becomes the real historic and personal source from whom the new community is born.8 The vision given by the founder becomes the vision and mission of the congregation. The founder is the key to the essential understanding and the discerning the true character of the congregation and charism. For that reason the Vatican II teachings9 emphasized and encouraged the importance of ‘returning to the spirit of the founder’.10 Consequently in order to understand the charism of Pallottines it is essential to study the life, work and spirit of their founder St.Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850), which inspired him to found a congregation. The purpose of the present chapter is twofold. The first part provides a short life history of Pallotti. This part concentrates on the life of Pallotti, focusing on his younger years and the days of his priesthood. It brings to the fore his family, childhood, education and early years in priestly formation and later on his journey to sainthood. Then it studies the important political and social developments that took place in the Church and in the Society during the time of Pallotti especially after the revolution, particularly in Italy and France as well as some of the predominant trends and thoughts that were present in Europe and in the Church. As the beginning of the 19th century much had changed since the end of the middle ages, and the stage was set for the clashes of what might broadly be called ‘secularism’11 and the defenders of traditional religion and whole of Europe was staggering from the effects of French revolution (1789) and has to struggle for survival being fought against Napoleon Bonaparte.

8 Cf. ROMANO A., The Charism of the Founders, Pauls Publications, (Middlegreen: 1994), p.133. 9 Note all the quotes regarding Vatican II in the work are taken from: FLANNERY A., (ed.) Vatican Council II: the Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, Vol.I, St.Paul Publications, (Bombay: 1989). 10 Cf. Second Vatican Council., Perfectae Caritatis: Decree on the renewal of Religious life, no.2 (Hereafter cited as PC) and Cf. PAUL VI., Evangelica Testificatio: Post Conciliar Document and Apostolic Exhortation on the Renewal of Religious Life, (Vatican: June 29, 1971), nos. 10-12. (Hereafter cited as ET). 11 Secularism (1850): Secularism was the word adopted by George Jacob Holyoake in the early 1850s to describe a system of morals and social action shaped exclusively by this-worldly considerations, irrespective of religious beliefs. The word was derived from the secular education movement for the complete separation of religious teaching from other forms of educa- tion. Cf. Secularism, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. from Dictionary.com website: Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/ browse/secularism [Retrieved on: 28th March, 2012].

25 The second part is a historical investigation of Pallotti’s work among youth, which bare all the signs of Pallotti’s love and care for youth as well as his own mark of his vision. This gives, at the onset of this research work, a validation to the title of this work. This division provides particulars on the Pallotti’s various works among the secular and clerical youth in collaboration with his clergy and lay collaborators during his formation years as well as in the years of his Priesthood.

2. THE PERSON: HIS FAMILY, CHILDHOOD AND FORMATION In every age, the Holy Spirit chose to give rich, powerful gifts to certain men and women, in order to bring salvation of all and to promote the mission of the Church in the world.12 During the first half of the 19th century, St. Vincent Pallotti was among those whom God enriched with his gifts and inspiration for the purpose of aiding the Church in fulfilling her mission.13 Pallotti was an apostle and a reformer and awakened in the Church a movement possessing a new missionary zeal. His inspiration came from three different sources, his intense awareness of God’s infinite love and mercy, his time and the condition of his people with whom he shared his life, the rich and the poor, literate and illiterate, young and old. As a person, he was ‘small of stature, delicate [...] his gracious attitude, the companied gravity and condor of his whole person and in particular his unwavering faith.”14

2.1. His Parents and Family Vincent Pallotti was born in on 21st April 1795. He was one of the ten children of Peter Paul Pallotti, a native of San Giorgio di cassia, and Maria Magdalena de Rossi, a Roman lady. His parents, according to John S. Gaynor, were people of the soil, Umbrian peasants.15 It was due to his parents’ hard work that the family enjoyed a moderate fortune16 and they were equally charitable and pious too. They brought up Vincent and the other children with great care and love as good Christians as well as providing them with a good Christian education and a fine example of responsible Christian parenting. 17 Their good and spiritual characters have made fine impression on the little Pallotti that he acknowledges about it in a very devout way the Lord had given me holy parents. What account would I render to God if I did not benefit from their instructions? 18

12 Cf. WILWERS N.M., The story of Vincent Pallotti, Formerly ‘Give me souls’, Divine Word Publication, (Illinois: 1954), p.5. (Hereafter cited as WILWERS N.M., The story of Vincent Pallotti). 13 Cf. GAYNOR. S. JOHN., Life of Saint Vincent Pallotti, Piazza Vincenzo Pallotti, (Rome: 1963), pp.15-20. (Hereafter cited as GAYNOR. S. JOHN., Life of Saint Vincent). 14 Cf. GAUME, Rome in seinen drei Gestalten, German Translation, (Regensburg: 1890), Vol.11, p.165. As found in the Fore- word by WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti: Apostle and Mystic, Alba House, (Milwaukee: 1962). (Hereafter cited as WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti: Apostle and Mystic). 15 Cf. GAYNOR. S. JOHN., Life of Saint Vincent, p.14. 16 Cf. AMOROSO F., A Remarkable Roman, Yuva Deepthi Press, (Thiruvananthapuram: 1983), pp.1-2. (Hereafter cited as AMOROSO F., A Remarkable Roman). 17 Cf. WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti Apostle and Mystic, pp. 8-9. 18 Cf. GAYNOR. S. JOHN., Life of Saint Vincent, p.18.

26 2.2. His Early Days of Holiness and Education According to his biographers, Vincent Pallotti was known for his holiness and piety. At a very young age he would pray to the Blessed Virgin, “My Mother, make me good.”19 Even as a child, he expressed to his parents his desire to become a priest.20 He had an eager longing to serve at many Masses. His love of spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, which led him closer to God and encouraged him to do good to his neighbours and to remain holy, was noticed by many. 21 These were apparent signs that God was calling Pallotti and he geared up in way from the beginning for the reception of God’s special vocation, which was to be given to him in later years. However, his success in studies was so slow that his teacher observed this and said, “Vincent is a little saint; but it is a pity that he has so little talent.”22 His mother suggested Pallotti to make a Novena to the Holy Spirit to obtain help for his studies. The Novena was answered by a miracle, and from that time his mind was so changed that he was no longer the last but the first, both in the lower as well as the higher classes.23 He studied in of San Pantaleo, in the Roman College and upon the completion of his humanistic studies he went over to Sapienza College for further studies.24 On ‘account of his reliability and competence’, though very young, he was assigned by his parish priest to teach catechism to the other boys in the parish church.25 On April 15th, 1811, when he was sixteen, he received the clerical tonsure, and on that occasion his parish priest testified as follows to the Vicariate: “I testify that the young man of Roman birth, Vincent Pallotti, of this parish, possesses extraordinary and angelic virtue, that he has been zealous in his attendance at religious instruction, that he has fervently frequented the sacraments of Penance and of the altar, and that this youth shows the brightest promise for the priesthood, April 4, 1811.”26

2.3. His Priestly Formation and Scholarly Brilliance Pallotti wanted to become a Capuchin. But after intensive examination and deliberation, his confessor did not think that Vincent’s delicate health had enough strength to stand the severe life of the Capuchin Friars,27 and so he counselled him to join the diocesan priesthood.28 During his education between years 1813-1818, he achieved many laurels for his excellence in philosophy and theology in Sapienza University.29 Moreover, the mastery which he acquired in Greek is a testimony to his progress in languages, and the

19 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p.1. 20 Cf. BONIFAZI F., Soul of the Saint, Alba house, (New York: 1963), p.15. (Hereafter cited as BONIFAZI F., Soul of the Saint). 21 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p. 3. 22 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p.3. 23 Cf. WILWERS N.M., The story of Vincent Pallotti, p.9. 24 Cf. WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti Apostle and Mystic, p. 27. 25 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p. 2. 26 Cf. WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti Apostle and Mystic, p. 22. 27 Cf. WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti Apostle and Mystic, pp. 20-21. 28 Cf. BONIFAZI F., Soul of the Saint, p.15. 29 Cf. FRANK J., Vinzenz Pallotti, Pallotti Verlag, (Friedberg: 1952), Vol.1, pp.54-62. (Hereafter cited as FRANK J., Vinzenz Pallotti, Vol.1).

27 doctorate he obtained in philosophy and theology give proof of his excelling in learning.30 He also studied both canon and civil law, as well the culture of sacred eloquence, history, and oriental languages.31

3. PALLOTTI: A PRIEST ON THE MISSION OF CHRIST On 26 May, he received minor orders. On September 21st, 1816, on the feast of the Apostle Matthew, he was ordained a sub-deacon, on September 20, 1817, he was ordained a deacon and on May 16, 1818, he was ordained priest when he was 23 years old after having obtained dispensation from the canonical year he lacked.32 “How great is the dignity of the priesthood [...] what an amazing thing it is to be a priest” 33 was his earnest expression on the day of his priesthood. The subsequent few pages illustrate some of his outstanding characteristics of his priesthood.

3.1. Pallotti as Preacher and Healer of Souls Pallotti himself placed greater value in the salvation of souls than on learning. For that reason he never ceased to exercise his office as preacher despite his work of teaching. Pallotti insisted also on the necessity of matching one’s life to what one preaches. To do otherwise would be contradictory to consecration. Pallotti was inclined to the ministry of the Word of God and to the Sacrament of Confession.34 He called his preaching ‘apostolic’, which is to preach Jesus crucified in the most straightforward manner, with clear content, and beneficial to the listener ,35 that ‘his sermons were understood by the unlearned and were approved by the learned.’36 He preached to people in various churches, to the military, in night schools and to craftsmen.37 It is very so clear from his life that he reached and preached wherever he was called to win souls for Christ. If he spent the day in teaching and heard the confession till late in the evening, then many hours of the night were spent in intimate union with God. In the confessional he was like “a father who receives, like a physician who heals, like a master who teaches, and like a judge who absolves or defers absolution.”38 He usually heard the confessions of the poor and neglected of working men, yet the list of Pallotti’s penitents included the names of Pope Gregory XVI, Pius IX, the future Leo XIII, cardinals like the Secretary of State Lambruschini and Cardinal Vicario Odescalchi, St.Gaspare del Bufalo, Blessed , Blessed Maurizi, the Venerable Clausi and Blessed Elizabeth Sanna.39

30 Cf. GAYNOR. S. JOHN., Life of Saint Vincent, p.44. 31 Cf. WEBER E., Vincent Pallotti Apostle and Mystic, pp. 18-19. 32 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, pp.44-46. 33 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p.47. 34 Cf. KOLENCHERRY A., St. Vincent Pallotti, SAC Publications, (Thiruvananthapuram: 1989), pp.36-38. (Hereafter cited as KOLENCHERRY A., St. Vincent Pallotti). 35 Cf. DE MARIA JOSEPH., Ven. Vincent Pallotti: Modern Apostle and Mystic, Pallottine Fathers, (Milwaukee: 1927), p.20. (Hereafter cited DE MARIA JOSEPH., Ven. Vincent Pallotti). 36 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p. 12. 37 Cf. AMOROSO F., A Remarkable Roman, p.38. 38 Cf. MELIA R., The Life of Vincent Pallotti, p.13. 39 Cf. KOLENCHERRY A., St. Vincent Pallotti, p.48.

28