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The Missionary Society of Saint Paul the Apostle, better
known as the Paulist Fathers, is a Roman Catholic religious
society for men founded in New York City in 1858 by Servant
of God Fr. Isaac Thomas Hecker in collaboration with Fr.
George Deshon, Fr. Augustine Hewit, and Fr. Francis A.
Baker. Members of the society identify themselves as such by
the use of the initials C.S.P. after their names, for the
Congregation of St. Paul.
The Paulist Fathers were the first religious community of
priests created in North America and as such the Society
took on a very American character, particularly in
organization and administration. The President,
Vice-President, and Council of the Paulist Fathers are
elected to 4-year terms; in addition, a First Consultor is
appointed by the President.
The Paulist mission is to evangelize the people of North
America in a manner particularly suited to the continent's
culture. In addition to evangelization, the Paulists have
taken on ministries of ecumenism, interfaith relations, and
reconciliation as part of their missionary focus. The
Paulists seek to be a bridge between contemporary culture
and Catholicism by presenting the Gospel truths in fresh
ways that are compelling so that the fullness of the
Catholic Church can be shared effectively with others. The
Paulists use all available media to accomplish this end,
beginning in print with the founding of Catholic World
magazine in 1865 and continuing and extending their mission
in the work of Paulist Press and in radio, film, and
Internet ministries.
Because the Paulist Fathers' primary mission has been the
conversion of the American people and society, the vast
majority of Foundations (as Paulist centers of ministry are
called) and priests are located in the United States of
America, although a significant historic presence in Canada
has resulted in a number of Canadian vocations over the
years. There are Paulist Foundations in 13 states in the
U.S. and one in Toronto, Canada and Rome, Italy.
Patrons of the Paulist Fathers include the Blessed and
Immaculate Virgin Mary, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Joseph,
St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Francis de Sales, St. Thomas
Aquinas, St. Patrick, St. Philip Neri, St. Teresa of Avila,
St. John of the Cross, St. Mary Magdalen and St. Elizabeth
Seton.