The night between 2 centuries...

In the third person, Fr. Alberione recounts the story. Though his words were written over fifty years later, the event took place when he was a sixteen-year-old seminarian. The night he refers to is that between December 31, 1900 and January 1, 1901:

The night which divided the last century from the present one was decisive for the specific mission and particular spirit in which the future Apostolate was to be born and to live. After the solemn midnight Mass in the cathedral (of Alba), the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration. The seminarians in philosophy and theology were free to remain as long as they wanted.

Shortly before that, there had been a congress (the first he had attended), and he had understood well the calm but profound and convincing talk given by Toniolo. He had read Pope Leo XIII's invitation to pray for the century that was about to begin. Both had stressed the needs of the Church, the new means of evil, the duty to oppose the press with the press, organization with organization, to make the Gospel penetrate the masses, social questions.

A special light came from the Host, a greater understanding of the invitation extended by Jesus: "Come to me, all of you." He seemed to comprehend the heart of the great Pope, the invitations of the Church, the true mission of the priest. Toniolo's words regarding the duty of modern apostles, using the means abused by adversaries, appeared clear to him. He felt deeply obligated to prepare himself to do something for God and for the people of the new century with whom he would live.

He was quite aware of his own nothingness and at the same time he heard: "I am with you always; yes to the end of time" in the Eucharist. He felt that in the Eucharistic Jesus one could find light, nourishment, comfort, victory over evil. As he thought about the future, it seemed to him that in the new century generous souls would feel what he felt; and that when organized, they would achieve what Toniolo strongly urged: "Unite! If the enemy finds us alone, he will overcome us one by one!"

His prayer lasted four hours after the solemn high Mass. He prayed that the new century might be born in the Eucharistic Christ; that new apostles would reform laws, schools, literature, the press, customs; that the Church would initiate a new missionary thrust; that society would accept the great teachings of Pope Leo XIII's encyclicals explained by Canon Chiesa, especially with regard to social questions and the liberty of the Church.

The Eucharist, the Gospel, the Pope, the new century, the new means, the teaching of Count Paganuzzi regarding the Church, the need for a new band of apostles--these were all so deeply impressed on his mind and heart that from then on they constantly dominated his thoughts, prayers, interior work, and aspirations. He felt obligated to serve the Church, the people of the new century, and to work together with others. --AD 13-17, 19-20

Influential for the young Alberione:

Tametsi Futura Prospicientibus, On Jesus Christ Our Redeemer, encyclical of Leo XIII, Nov. 1, 1900.

Joseph Toniolo (1845-1918) a great teacher of Catholic social thought and the first national president of the Unione Populare, the association of Catholics formed after Pius X dissolved the Congresses and Catholic Committees.

Count John Baptiste Paganuzzi, (1841-1923) lawyer and president of the Congresses

(Special thanks to Sr. Karen Marie Anderson, FSP for providing historical information.)

Night Between the Centuries | An Instrument of God--Alberione
The Woman Who Made It Happen--Mother Thecla | Beloved by All--Blessed Timothy | Pauline Family