St. Paul of the Cross
Feast 10-19 · Canonized 1867
Patron of
About
Paul Danei was born in 1694 in Ovada, northern Italy. After a conversion experience in his youth, he felt called to found a religious order dedicated to the Passion of Christ. He spent forty days in retreat writing the rule of the new congregation.
In 1720 he was clothed in the black habit of the Passionists, and in 1725 he was ordained a priest. He preached missions throughout Italy for decades, calling people to meditate on the suffering and love of Christ, and he founded the Passionist nuns as well.
He died in Rome in 1775 and was canonized in 1867. The Passionists he founded continue his work of preaching the mystery of the Cross throughout the world.
Suggested prayer
O God, who clothed Paul of the Cross in the black habit of the Passion and made him a preacher of the suffering Christ, grant through his intercession that all who suffer may find love in the Cross. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.