Fr Guiseppe Mauro Ferrero, a member of the Society of St Paul, popularly known by his pen name J. Maurus, passed away in Rome on Thursday, February 1, 2018. He was 93, and has to his credit over 125 books, many of which have been translated into various Indian and European languages. All his books have been published by Better Yourself Books which he founded way back in 1962. J. Maurus was born on April 14, 1924, at Piedmont, North Italy. As a young boy, Maurus came in contact with Fr (now Blessed) James Alberione, the Founder of the Society of St Paul, and other Pauline Congregations like the Daughters of St Paul and the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master both of which have their communities in India. Before long, he joined Fr Alberione, deciding to become a Priest in the Society of St Paul. Soon after his Ordination, Fr Alberione asked him to travel to India (in 1951) pursuing the media apostolate which he initiated in 1914. Reaching Bombay with another young Pauline Priest, Maurus was soon sent to Allahabad, (U.P.), the Mother House of the Congregation, where he picked up English and a working knowledge of Hindi to be able to communicate with the local people. He also showed keen interest in the Indian Vedic literature. It was at Allahabad that Maurus began exercising his apostolate of the Printed Word in full swing. He published his first book Just A Moment, Please in 1960, which became an instant bestseller! From then on, there was no turning back: books began to flow from his pen non-stop. Soon enough, Maurus brought his books under a new brand name – Better Yourself Books – and in no time, numerous other titles found their way into the new publishing firm.
