PIA SOCIETÀ SAN PAOLO. – A clerical religious congregation of simple vows, with two classes of members: clerics and laity. It was founded in Alba (Cuneo) on 20 August 1914 by Fr Giacomo Alberione.
In 1926 a second house was opened in Rome, which later became the residence of the Superior General and his council. Other houses were then opened in Italy and abroad, and at present the Congregation is spread across France, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, the Philippine Islands, India, Japan, China, with over 600 members. Meanwhile, by a decree of the bishop on 12 March 1927, it became a true religious Congregation of diocesan right. On 10 May 1941 the Holy See granted the decree of praise, and from then on it became of pontifical right. On 27 June 1949 definitive approval of the Congregation and of its constitutions was granted.
The P.S.S.P. has as its special aim the apostolate of the press, with printing houses and bookshops for the dissemination of Catholic doctrine.