A Brief Biography Of Saint Paul Of The Cross[Founder of the Passionists]

Congregation of the Passion ^ | 00/00/00 | Victor Hoagland,C.P.

[Lady In Blue]

A Brief Biography
of St. Paul of the Cross

Paolo Danei Massari was born in Ovada, Italy the 3rd January 1694. His family later moved to Castellazzo Bormida, not far from his birthplace. His mother taught him from an early age that the strength to overcome any and all difficulties in life was to be found in the Passion of Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for Jesus Crucified since his early childhood, Paul wished to dedicate his entire life to Him. One time, seriously ill, he had a vision of hell which completely terrorized him. On a later occasion, during a sermon, he felt himself inspired by the Lord to the love of Christ Crucified; he referred to that moment as the time of his "conversion".

Between 1715-1716, desirous of serving Christ, he went to Venice to enlist in the army. Inspired by the ideals of a crusade, he wished to fight against the Turks who were threatening Europe. One day, while in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, he was made to understand that this was not his vocation. He then resigned from the army but remained for a while in Venice, at the service of a family he knew. He later returned to his home. Even though his priest uncle had left him an inheritance that he might marry, Paul renounced any such intention.

To make memory of the Crucified. According to one witness, it was in a vision he had of the Blessed Virgin that Paul came to recognize the habit, the sign and the kind of life he was to lead, a life totally committed to Jesus Crucified. Having consulted with several prudent confessors, the Bishop of Alessandria, Mons. Gattinara, vested Paul with the Passionist habit on the 22nd November 1720. Paul then spent the next forty days in the sacristy of the church of St. Charles in Castellazzo. His experiences and the state of his soul during that "forty days" is made known to us in the "Spiritual Diary". During that retreat he also wrote the Rule for possible future companions to whom he refers as "The Poor of Jesus". On a visit, his brother, John Baptist, asked to join him but Paul refused his request, at least for the moment.

At the end of this experience, the bishop authorized him to live in the hermitage of St. Stephen in Castellazzo and to engage in the apostolate as a layman. During the summer of 1721 Paul went to Rome with the intention of having an audience with the Holy Father that he might reveal his inspiration concerning the future Congregation. The officials at the Quirinal, the then residence of the Popes, would not permit him entrance, thinking he was some kind of beggar.

The first Passionist vow. Accepting this humiliation in imitation of Jesus Crucified, he went to the basilica of St. Mary Major and, before the image of Our Lady "Salus Populi Romani, took the vow to consecrate himself to promoting the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

On his journey home he stopped at Orbetello for a while, at the hermitage of the Annunciation on Mount Argentario. Arriving at Castellazzo he was joined by his brother John Baptist. They then immediately left for Mount Argentario, to live there as hermits. Later, at the invitation of Bishop Pignatelli, they went into hermitage at Madonna della Catena, Gaeta. Bishop Cavalieri next permitted them to live in Troia for a while. They later returned to the diocese of Gaeta at the shrine of Our Lady of Civita, Itri. Their every attempt to found a community ended up in failure. In order to preach the Passion they had to be ordained priests and so they next went to Rome.

While studying theology there, they also ministered to those infected with skin diseases in the hospital of San Gallicano. The brothers had the occasion to speak with the Holy Father when he visited the church of the Navicella on the Celian hill and he orally granted them permission to make a foundation on Mount Argentario. In 1727, ordained priests, the brothers left Rome to live at Mount Argentario.

To preach the Passion of Christ. They initiated their apostolate among the local fisherman, woodsmen and shepherds, etc. They were soon joined by other companions, among them their brother Antonio and some others who were already ordained priests. The bishops requested them to preach parish missions in the local towns. When war broke out in the Garrison States, Paul ministered to the sick and wounded of both armies, his presence always welcomed.

The first retreat, dedicated to the Presentation, was inaugurated in 1737. Paul later presented Rome with the new Rule of the young Congregation. After making some mitigation, Benedict XIV gave his approval in 1741.

Our Founder was a contemporary of other outstanding, saintly preachers such as St. Leonard of Port Maurice, whom he met on one occasion, and St. Alphonsus Liguori with whom he was acquainted. Like them, he too, for love of Jesus Crucified, was filled with zeal for the preaching of parish missions.

Though he had held the office of Superior General from 1747 onward, he never stopped preaching missions or writing letters of spiritual direction. The Institute did encounter much opposition on the part of some sectors of the Church for which reason some of the projected foundations had to be delayed until a pontifical commission passed favorable judgment on the Passionists.

Counseled by and with the good example of his brother John Baptist, Paul constantly endeavored to preserve the spirit of solitude, poverty and prayer. When John Baptist died in 1767, Paul felt he had been abandoned, left an orphan.

Passionist religious women. A country girl, Lucia Burlini, had one time spoken to Paul of the "doves on Calvary", an image used by some who were of the same contemplative spirit as were many religious. Though Paul had struggled for 40 years for its realization, it was not until 1771 that the Passionist Nuns were established in Corneto-Tarquinia. Paul appointed Mother M. Crocifissa Costantini, a Benedictine nun, as the first superior. Pope Clement XIV granted her permission to transfer to the new convent.

After the suppression of the Company of Jesus, Clement XIV transferred the Fathers of the Missions (Lazzarists) to the church of Sant'Andrea on the Quirinal and gave Paul of the Cross the house and basilica on the Celian hill, SS. Giovanni e Paolo. A short distance from the Coliseum, it was here Paul passed the last years of his life. Here, too, he was visited by two Popes, Clement XIV in 1774 and by Pius VI in 1775. He died a few months after the latter visit. His mortal remains are enshrined in the chapel, completed in 1880, dedicated to him.

Chronology of St. Paul of the Cross

• 3 January1694: PAOLO DANEI born in Ovada, Alessandria, Italy, of Luca, a small business merchant, and Anna Maria Massari. Firstborn of 16 children, only six of whom survived infancy.
• 6 January1694: Baptized and given the name Paolo Francesco Danei Massari.
• 4 April1695: Birth of Giovanni Battista Danei, life time companion of Paul and instrumental in the foundation of the Congregation.
• 1704-1710: Paul lived with his family which had, in the meantime, moved to Castellazzo Bormida.
• 1713: Time of his "conversion" brought about by a sermon he had heard.
• 1716: Volunteers for the army in the war against the Turks.
• 23 April1719: Received Confirmation at Castellazzo.
• 1720: The vision by which he discerned his future vocation.
• 22 November 1720: Paul is vested in the Passionist habit by Mons. Gattinara, Bishop of Alessandria.
• 22 November1720 /1 January 1721: He makes forty-day retreat in the church of St. Charles, Castellazzo, during which he writes the "Spiritual Diary" and the first Passionist Rule.
• September 1721: Paul's first journey to Rome. He is rebuffed at the Quirinal palace (Papal Residence at the time). In the basilica of St. Mary Major, he takes a vow to dedicate himself to promoting the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ.
• 1722-1725: Paul and John Baptist live in a hermitage, successively at Monte Argentario, Gaeta, and Itri.
• 1726-1728: The two brothers minister to the sick in the hospital of San Gallicano, Rome. They are ordained priest by Pope Benedict Xlll in the basilica of St. Peter 7 June1727.
• 1728-1737: The two brothers move to Mount Argentario. They teach catechism in Orbetello and nearby towns. In 1730 they preach their first parish mission in Talamone. They are joined by other companions who are called to Passionist life.
• 14 May 1741: Pope Benedict XIV approved the Rule. Paul and his companions profess religious vows on the 11th June as " Passionists".
• 1747: Paul is elected Superior General, a position he holds for the remainder of his life.
• 1748-1767: Paul preaches many parish missions and retreats; writes thousands of letters of spiritual direction and founded retreats in Vetralla, Sant'Eutizio, Ceccano, San Sosio, Montecavo, Paliano...
• 30 August1765: Fr. John Baptist Danei dies.
• 1767: Paul is seriously ill in Vetralla.
• 1770-1771: He is again seriously ill in the hospice of SS.mo Crocifisso in Rome.
• May 1771: First foundation of the Passionist Nuns in Tarquinia.
  
• December 1773: Paul takes possession of the retreat of Saints John and Paul in Rome, a concession of Pope Clement XIV.
• 26 June 1774: Paul is visited by Clement XIV at Saints John and Paul; Pius VI visits him in 1775.
• 14 September 1775: Pius VI, in the Papal Bull " Praeclara Virtutum Exampla", approves the revision of the Rule.
• 18 October 1775: Death of Paul in Saints John and Paul, Rome.
• 7 January1777: Opening of the process of Canonization.
• 22 December 1778: First biography of Paul of the Cross written Vincent M. Strambi.
• 18 February 1821: Proclamation of heroic virtues.
• 1 May1853: Beatification of Paul by Pius IX, who will later canonize him on 29 June1867.
  
• 25 April 1880: Transferral of the relics of St. Paul of the Cross to the chapel dedicated to him in the basilica of Saints John and Paul.

Go to:

• Who are the Passionists?
• Fundamentals of Our Life
• The Passionist Family and Addresses of Generalates of the Passion
• Links
• The Way of the Cross with Saint Paul of the Cross

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Please send questions or comments about this page to Victor Hoagland, C.P.
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[Lady In Blue]

Saint Paul of the Cross feast day was October 19th.

[Lady In Blue]

ping

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[Salvation]

Will read later!

[JMJ333]

Thanks, LIB. Good read this mornining. I enjoyed it. =)

[OxfordMovement]

This is such excellent information. I knew nothing about St. Paul of the Cross, and I'm glad to learn from your informative Catholic posts.

[Salvation]

BTTT on 10-20-03

[Salvation]

What beautiful pictures!

[Salvation]

The Passion of the Christ

[Salvation]

BTTT on 10-20-04, Optional St. Paul of the Cross

[Salvation]

[Salvation]

St. Paul of the Cross
The Story of our founder: preacher and mystic

He was nineteen. His father wanted him to become a merchant like himself. His priest-uncle advised him to become a priest. A young lady from one of the better families hoped to to be his wife.

But Paul Francis Daneo, born on January 3, 1694, in Ovada, Italy, had a different vision for his life. During his teen years he felt inwardly inspired and captivated by the Cross of Christ. Paul discerned God’s love for all people in the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Realizing all that Jesus had suffered in love for us, Paul wanted to love Jesus in return through prayer and preaching. This vision was hindered because Paul was the eldest son of a large family and, therefore, obligated to remain home and assist his father in supporting his younger brothers and sisters.

When Paul was 21 years old, he joined a crusade against the Turks, thinking this was the way God wanted him to serve. But after experiencing the violence and ruthlessness of war, Paul abandoned this way. He had an inner conviction that God would fulfill the vision by a crusade of a much different nature.

Returning to his hometown, Paul helped his family and dedicated himself to prayer and penance. In 1720 he talked with the local bishop, asking to be allowed to serve the Church as a hermit, a "holy man." The bishop allowed Paul live in one of the town’s churches. Paul, wearing a long black robe as a sign of his commitment, took care of the church property and prepared the altar before the daily celebration of Mass. He was invited to teach religion to the children. Adults, recognizing in Paul the qualities of wisdom and holiness, came to him for advice. At times he was given permission to preach.

During this period Paul kept a diary and wrote a Rule, which contained his vision of how he would live his life. The Rule contained directives about prayer, fasting, exercise, spiritual disciplines, penances, charity, and many other qualities and activities Paul felt were important in living a dedicated life. In 1721 Paul brought the Rule to the Vatican in Rome for the Pope’s approval. The guards, thinking him a beggar, turned him away. Paul, severely disappointed, rededicated himself to the vision God had given him. Returning to north of Rome, Paul invited others to join him. Paul did not receive definitive approval for the Rule until 1769.
Browse our Community . . . . . Passionist Homepage Who We Are Our Sign St. Paul of the Cross - Founder Great Passionists in History Retreat Centers Parish Missions Geographical Tour Vocations Friends of the Passionists Passionist IntraNet Contact Us

The men who followed Paul would become known as Passionists because of their dedication to and preaching of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

Paul, now living in Rome, was ordained a priest in 1734. After a brief time as a hospital chaplain, Paul channeled his time and energy into preaching throughout Central Italy.

Paul realized that many of his contemporaries had forgotten God’s love for them, had fallen asleep to the healing grace of Christ’s Cross. In the 18th century life was not easy. The rich were rich; the poor, very poor. For the sick there was little comfort. For laborers there were few hours of rest. For ordinary folk there was a constant fear of war, famine and disease.
"The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus which are the miracle of miracles of the love of God. We must arouse the world from its slumber." And so Paul did through thousands of letters he wrote and sermons he preached. Traveling where he was invited to preach, even to marshlands infested with malaria, Paul taught people how to pray and meditate upon the suffering and death of Jesus. Walking from town to town, church to church, for over 40 years, Paul preached the loving memory of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The sick poor and the abandoned poor were special recipients of Paul’s concern and love. He would also preach to the clergy and remind them of their obligations to serve the poor.

After many years of preaching and serving the Passionist community as its founder and leader, Paul died in 1775. He was eighty-one years old. By then, the people had nicknamed him "Paul of the Cross."

[Salvation]

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Saint of the Day Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Saint of the Day Ping List.

[fatima]

Salvation,Bump.

[SuziQ]

We named our oldest son, who was born on Oct. 19th, Paul, though at the time we didn't know it was the feastday of St. Paul of the Cross. My cousin had a girl on that same day, and somehow my oldest sister found an obscure Saint named Frideswide whose feast day was also that day. Poor little girl ( who is 25 now) has been called Frideswide by my sister ever since! LOL!

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Here is a little meditation on the passion for this memorial of St. Paul of the Cross. I meant to post this yesterday, but Wednesdays I teach CCE and spend most of the day prepping, and I didn't get it out!

Dear Jesus,
Bring to mind often
that sad, holy, day,
when you carried that horrendous burden
sin of the world
on your sinless, torn and battered back,
the unrighteousness of others
on you, the Son of righteousness,
the hatred and evilness of selfish lack of love
on you who were all love,
all that darkness
on the shoulders of you who are always the Light.

O Lord,
let me think of the crowd,
and know it was my sins
that set them screaming for your blood.
let me think of the whip
that my sin drove to cut your skin,
let me know that my hand
hammered the nails
through all the times I have chosen
to do wrong, not counting the cost.

Lord,
Let me never take for granted
the pain, the grief, the sorrow
of what you did.
Instead let me offer you
the tears of my remorse,
the sighs of my heart,
and know how much I am loved,
now and forever.

Amen.

Susan E. Stone, 2004

[Salvation]

BTTT on the Optional Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross, 10-20-05!

[Salvation]

St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross The Story of our founder: preacher and mystic He was nineteen. His father wanted him to become a merchant like himself. His priest-uncle advised him to become a priest. A young lady from one of the better families hoped to to be his wife.

But Paul Francis Daneo, born on January 3, 1694, in Ovada, Italy, had a different vision for his life. During his teen years he felt inwardly inspired and captivated by the Cross of Christ. Paul discerned God’s love for all people in the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Realizing all that Jesus had suffered in love for us, Paul wanted to love Jesus in return through prayer and preaching.  This vision was hindered because Paul was the eldest son of a large family and, therefore, obligated to remain home and assist his father in supporting his younger brothers and sisters. 

When Paul was 21 years old, he joined a crusade against the Turks, thinking this was the way God wanted him to serve. But after experiencing the violence and ruthlessness of war, Paul abandoned this way. He had an inner conviction that God would fulfill the vision by a crusade of a much different nature. 

Returning to his hometown, Paul helped his family and dedicated himself to prayer and penance. In 1720 he talked with the local bishop, asking to be allowed to serve the Church as a hermit, a "holy man." The bishop allowed Paul live in one of the town’s churches. Paul, wearing a long black robe as a sign of his commitment, took care of the church property and prepared the altar before the daily celebration of Mass. He was invited to teach religion to the children. Adults, recognizing in Paul the qualities of wisdom and holiness, came to him for advice. At times he was given permission to preach. 

During this period Paul kept a diary and wrote a Rule, which contained his vision of how he would live his life. The Rule contained directives about prayer, fasting, exercise, spiritual disciplines, penances, charity, and many other qualities and activities Paul felt were important in living a dedicated life. In 1721 Paul brought the Rule to the Vatican in Rome for the Pope’s approval. The guards, thinking him a beggar, turned him away. Paul, severely disappointed, rededicated himself to the vision God had given him. Returning to north of Rome, Paul invited others to join him. Paul did not receive definitive approval for the Rule until 1769.

The men who followed Paul would become known as Passionists because of their dedication to and preaching of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.  Paul, now living in Rome, was ordained a priest in 1734. After a brief time as a hospital chaplain, Paul channeled his time and energy into preaching throughout Central Italy.

Paul realized that many of his contemporaries had forgotten God’s love for them, had fallen asleep to the healing grace of Christ’s Cross. In the 18th century life was not easy. The rich were rich; the poor, very poor. For the sick there was little comfort. For laborers there were few hours of rest. For ordinary folk there was a constant fear of war, famine and disease. 
"The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus which are the miracle of miracles of the love of God. We must arouse the world from its slumber." And so Paul did through thousands of letters he wrote and sermons he preached. Traveling where he was invited to preach, even to marshlands infested with malaria, Paul taught people how to pray and meditate upon the suffering and death of Jesus. Walking from town to town, church to church, for over 40 years, Paul preached the loving memory of the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The sick poor and the abandoned poor were special recipients of Paul’s concern and love. He would also preach to the clergy and remind them of their obligations to serve the poor. 

After many years of preaching and serving the Passionist community as its founder and leader, Paul died in 1775. He was eighty-one years old. By then, the people had nicknamed him "Paul of the Cross." 

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[Salvation]

St. Paul of the Cross

PAUL of the Cross

Also known as

Paolo Francesco Danei; Paul Daneo; God's Hunter of Souls

Memorial

19 October; formerly 28 April

Profile

Son of a merchant. Pius youth. After receiving a vision, and while still a layman, he founded the Congregation of Discalced Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion (Passionists) in 1721 to preach about Jesus Crucified. Preacher of such power that hardened soldiers and bandits were seen to weep. At one point all the brothers in the order deserted him, but in 1741 his rule was approved by Pope Benedict XIV, and the community began to grow again. Priest. Missionary.

Born

3 January 1694 at Ovada, Piedmont (northern Italy) as Paolo Francesco Danei

Died

18 October 1775 at Rome, Italy

Beatified

1 October 1852

Canonized

29 June 1867 by Pope Pius IX

Images

Gallery of images of Saint Paul of the Cross

Additional Information

Catholic Encyclopedia, by Arthur Devine
Passionist Family Circle,
Passionists
Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Society
New Catholic Dictionary

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Readings

It is very good and holy to consider the passion of our Lord, and to meditate on it, for by this sacred path we reach union with God. In this most holy school we learn true wisdom, for it was there that all the saints learned it.

Therefore, be constant in practicing every virtue, and especially in imitating the patience of our dear Jesus, for this is the summit of pure love. Live in such a way that all may know that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and mercy. For if a man is united inwardly with the Son of the living God, he also bears his likeness outwardly by his continual practice of heroic goodness, and especially through a patience reinforced by courage, which does not complain either secretly or in public. Conceal yourselves in Jesus crucified, and hope for nothing except that all men be thoroughly converted to his will.

- from a letter by Saint Paul of the Cross