The Oldest Philippine Catholic Monthly Magazine for Filipino Families, HOME LIFE was first published in May 1954 by the Society of Saint Paul from its apostolic center that was then located within the compound of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish at F.B. Harrison, Pasay City. The Italian Pauline Fr. Stephen Cane was its first editor.

In the spring of 1953, the Founder of the Pauline Family – Blessed James Alberione – with Mother Tecla Merlo of the Daughters of Saint Paul (FSP) and Mother Lucia Ricci of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM) came to visit the Philippine Foundations of the Pauline Family. Though 69 years old, Alberione was on fire with the idea of blazing new ways of communicating the values of the Catholic faith. That same year, he wrote: “The world is evolving so fast… Peaceful and speedy revolutions are taking place through the press, radio, cinema, television, aviation, political, social and industrial movements, the atomic energy. It is a must that religion must always be present; let us avail with every new means for defense and conquest… Anyone who stops and slows down is left behind; he shall work in a field where the enemy has already had its harvest.”

The SSP Italian Magazine “Famiglia Cristiana” served as a model for the Pauline priests and brothers who were challenged by Fr. Alberione to start publishing a magazine for the Filipino people.

Home Life became the preferred masthead. “Christian Family” or “Christian Home” – though closer translations of the Italian “Famiglia Cristiana” – sounded too religious and quite antagonistic. By this time, the Philippines was an emerging democracy patterned after that of the United States. The government was being managed by persons who insisted on the separation of Church and State. The name Home Life also embodied what the Pauline fathers and brothers envisioned the magazine to be: not one made by Catholics for Catholics alone… but one addressed to the typical Filipino family, with articles directed for fathers, mothers, and children… and with topics ranging from politics, to education, homemaking, entertainment, and of course, religion.

Among the Editors of Home Life were: Fr. Stephen Cane, SSP, who also pioneered “The Youngster”; Fr. Jose Mayor, SSP, the first Filipino Editor; Fr. Leonardo Zega, SSP, who went on to become the Editor of Famiglia Cristiana in Italy; Fr. Andres Arboleda Jr., SSP who became better known as Fr. ARA, and whose name was best associated with the section “Dialogue with Father,” Fr. Romeo Hitosis, SSP; Fr. Gil Alinsangan, SSP, who is now better associated with his Biblical reflections; Fr. Nicomedes Reforeal, SSP; Fr. Joseph Javillo, SSP; Fr. Tim Melliza, SSP.

The Golden (50th) Anniversary of Home Life was celebrated last December 2004 with Fr. Cris Cellan, SSP as the magazine’s editor.

Among the Features of current issues of Home Life are: “Dialogue with Father,” “Theology and Life,” “Fiction and Poetry” (edited by the known literati Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada), “Saint of the Month,” “Spotlight” (a decent corner about Philippine showbiz written by veteran entertainment scribe Billy Balbastro).