VENERABLE TECLA MERLO
“I am overjoyed with my vocation. I would like to have a thousand lives for the Gospel: may it run and spread.” These are the words of Tecla Merlo, spoken in joy; a joy lived to the full and arising from having discovered her place in the world.
Born into humble circumstances in a farming family in Castagnito d'Alba (Cuneo) on February 20, 1894. At her baptism, her grandmother had a “prophetic” word about her; she said to her mother Vincenza: “Take care of Teresa, because this child will do great good in life.”
The meeting that changed her life
At the age of 21, she met Don Alberione, and the desire to devote her entire life to the Lord, which had long been making its way into her heart, found a channel through which to flow.
At first, Don Giacomo asked her to manage a sewing workshop that had recently opened; then the women's workshop became a shop selling books and religious articles, as well as a catechism and typesetting school. Don Alberione's dream of founding a women's congregation that would spread the Gospel through the “Good Press” was coming to life.
An apostle among the people
In 1918, Don Alberione entrusted Teresa and a few other young women with a small printing press in Susa (Turin). The work of editing, typesetting, and printing was accompanied by selling books and distributing the weekly La Valsusa. Never before had a group of girls been entrusted with such a task!
Despite the difficulties and the “gossip,” Teresa is happy: “It was God who made things understood, who gave strength. It was he who created. This thought encouraged us and invited us to continue, even though at certain moments things were so dark that we could not understand anything. As for me, however, I was never afraid, despite all the gossip from outside and the crosses within the house.”
The Daughters of St. Paul are founded
In 1922 Teresa, together with eight other young women, made her private perpetual vows. The Founder elected her Superior General, and she took the name Tecla, after St. Paul's first disciple.
The identity of the Daughters of St. Paul begins to take shape, and for Sister Tecla the most difficult task begins: that of the sister who bears witness. She devotes at least three hours a day to prayer because, as she repeats to her daughters, “prayer is the pulse, the breath of spiritual life.”
A strong and determined woman
She was strong and determined: “Be joyful, ready not to seek comforts. In the evening we must ask ourselves: what have I done today? Have I earned my keep?” In private, she showed all her tenderness: “Are you cold? Are you dressed warmly enough? Do you need anything?…”
Her heart is close to each of her daughters in difficulties, risks, and dangers… And she leads the way. She takes the first risk: “Be strong women. Whatever happens to me, I do not want to seek anything outside the Lord. But the Lord may send a trial… and it is not uncommon for a soul to cry and become discouraged instead of seeking God. We must not become discouraged. Be souls strong in spirit… let us encourage one another, let us not be saddened… if we seek the Lord, he remains near.”
Along the roads of the world to bring the Gospel
Sister Tecla began traveling the roads of the world to open new apostolic centers and visit her daughters. From Italy to America, Europe, and Asia. Tireless, she gave all of herself.
Everywhere she goes, she brings her joy and shares her peace. This is how she greets the missionary sisters: “Courage. Be strong and faithful. Go with God. Always remember the Mother House, and let us always love one another.”
An example for every woman
She can be called a simple woman because she was free and deeply genuine. Great is the legacy she left to everyone. In particular, she was and still is a shining example, not only for the Daughters of Saint Paul, but also for all women, whatever their state in life.
A woman of faith and hope, she believed in the Lord who had chosen her for a singular adventure and, trusting in his faithfulness, responded to him with the heroism of giving herself completely.
A bold apostle, she proclaimed Jesus the Teacher through the witness of a simple, joyful life and, with confident initiative, faced the challenges of the world, seeking new forms, new tools, and new ways to “shout from the rooftops” the “good news” of the Gospel.
