# Pastoral Life

> 0031-2762 | United States | [Society of St. Paul]

**Wikidata**: [Q102290141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102290141)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pastoral-life-q102290141

## Summary

Pastoral Life is an American magazine and academic journal published by the Society of St. Paul, with ISSN 0031-2762. It is an English-language periodical focused on religious and pastoral themes, originating from the United States and distributed primarily to clergy, religious professionals, and lay ministry leaders.

## Key Facts

- **ISSN**: 0031-2762
- **ISSN Type**: Printed matter (P437)
- **Title**: Pastoral Life
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Publisher**: Society of St. Paul
- **Language**: English
- **Instance Of**: Academic journal, magazine
- **ACNP Journal ID**: 2099761
- **Described At URL**: https://www.atla.com/SearchCenter/Pages/advanced.aspx?k=CPLI0000533160
- **Wikidata Description**: 0031-2762 | United States | [Society of St. Paul]

## FAQs

**What type of publication is Pastoral Life?**

Pastoral Life is classified as both an academic journal and a magazine, making it a periodical publication that serves both scholarly and practical purposes in religious ministry contexts.

**Who publishes Pastoral Life?**

Pastoral Life is published by the Society of St. Paul, a religious organization dedicated to Catholic media and publishing apostolate.

**What is the ISSN of Pastoral Life?**

The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) for Pastoral Life is 0031-2762, specifically designated for printed matter.

**In what language is Pastoral Life published?**

Pastoral Life is published in English, targeting English-speaking clergy and religious professionals primarily in the United States.

**What is the academic classification of Pastoral Life?**

Pastoral Life is categorized as an academic journal and magazine, placing it within the intersection of scholarly religious study and practical pastoral application.

## Why It Matters

Pastoral Life serves as a vital resource for Catholic clergy, religious educators, and lay ministry leaders seeking practical guidance and theological reflection for their pastoral work. As a publication of the Society of St. Paul—a congregation known for its commitment to Catholic communications—the magazine bridges academic theological discourse with on-the-ground ministry applications. Its classification as both an academic journal and a magazine reflects its dual purpose: providing scholarly analysis of pastoral theology while offering actionable guidance for those directly engaged in church ministry. The publication contributes to the ongoing formation of religious professionals, helping them navigate the complex demands of modern pastoral care, liturgical planning, and spiritual leadership within the Catholic Church in the United States.

## Notable For

- **Dual Classification**: Recognized as both an academic journal and magazine, serving scholarly and practical ministry needs simultaneously
- **Society of St. Paul Publication**: Part of a well-established Catholic publishing tradition dedicated to religious education and media
- **ISSN 0031-2762**: Long-standing serial publication with persistent identification in international databases
- **ATLA Indexing**: Listed in the American Theological Library Association's search resources, indicating its academic credibility and theological relevance

## Body

### Publisher and Organizational Context

Pastoral Life is published by the Society of St. Paul (SSP), a Catholic religious congregation founded to spread the Catholic faith through modern communications media. The Society of St. Paul is known for its publishing, media production, and educational apostolates, operating in numerous countries worldwide. As a publication under this umbrella, Pastoral Life benefits from the organization's expertise in Catholic media and its network of theological consultants and pastoral practitioners.

### Classification and Format

The publication holds a dual classification as both an academic journal and a magazine. This classification reflects its unique position within religious publishing—offering peer-reviewed or scholarly content while maintaining accessibility for practical ministry applications. As a periodical with ISSN 0031-2762, it follows standard academic publishing practices while serving the broader pastoral community. The "printed matter" designation (P437) indicates its primary physical format, though it may also be available in digital formats.

### Academic and Professional Relevance

Pastoral Life is indexed in the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) database, a significant resource for theological research and academic citations. This indexing provides credibility within academic circles and ensures discoverability for researchers studying pastoral theology, liturgy, and ministry practices. The ACNP (Anagrafe dei Cataloghi di Periodici) journal ID 2099761 further confirms its standing in international periodical databases.

### Content Focus

While specific content details are not provided in the source material, the publication's title and classification suggest focus on topics relevant to pastoral ministry, including liturgical theology, homiletics, pastoral counseling, church management, spiritual direction, and religious education. The combination of academic journal and magazine formats typically allows for both theoretical articles and practical ministry resources.

### Historical Context

The Society of St. Paul has operated in the United States since the early 20th century, establishing publishing houses and media centers that serve the American Catholic community. Pastoral Life represents one of their contributions to ongoing clergy formation and religious education within the U.S. Catholic Church. The publication's long-standing ISSN (0031-2762) indicates continuous publication over many years.

### Distribution and Access

The publication is distributed primarily within the United States, with its country of origin listed as United States. Its English-language format ensures accessibility to the largest segment of American Catholic clergy and religious professionals. The described URL through ATLA suggests that the publication is accessible through academic and theological library systems, indicating its primary audience includes seminarians, theology students, and academic researchers alongside active ministry professionals.

### Related Entities

The publication connects to several important entities: the Society of St. Paul as its publisher; the ATLA database as an indexing service; academic libraries and theological institutions as distribution points; and the broader category of religious periodicals and academic journals within Catholic publishing. Its classification as both magazine and journal places it within two distinct but overlapping publication categories.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.atla.com/SearchCenter/Pages/advanced.aspx?k=CPLI0000533160)
2. ISSN Portal
3. [Source](https://acnpsearch.unibo.it/journal/2099761)