Our History
"May the Passion of Jesus Christ be forever in our hearts."
Saint Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ
History of the Passionist Order
The Passionist Order was founded in 1720 in Rome, Italy by Saint Paul of the Cross (born Paolo Francesco Danei) with the early support of his brother, John Baptist Danei. At just 19 years old, Paul began feeling an intense calling to a life of solitude and prayer, sensing that God wanted to draw him into a deep relationship with Him. However, it wasn’t until he was 26 that Paul received clear confirmation in his prayers that God was calling him to found a community dedicated to the Passion of Christ, which he believed to be "the greatest work of divine love."After years of discernment and prayer, Paul was clothed in the black habit of the hermit by Bishop Gattinara of Alessandria in 1720. He then embarked on a transformative 40-day retreat at the Church of St. Charles in Castellazo from November 22, 1720 to January 1, 1721. During this time, he wrote the first draft of the Rule of Life for the community, inspired by his mystical reflections on the Passion of Christ and his commitment to spreading Christ’s sacrificial love.Initially called The Poors of Jesus, the community was later named the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (or the Passionist Order). In 1737, Paul established the first Passionist Retreat, the Monastery of the Presentation in the Temple, on Monte Argentario, Italy. The community began with only nine members, but Paul's vision for a life rooted in the Passion of Christ grew steadily, despite the challenges posed by the Order's austere lifestyle and strict rules.The Passionist Rule demanded significant sacrifice from its members: fasting, penance, and a life of contemplative prayer, with no less than three hours of prayer each day in addition to the daily Divine Office. Silence was to be observed throughout the day, broken only for a brief recreation period after supper. The members of the Order were also discalced, wearing only sandals instead of shoes as a sign of humility and poverty.Though the initial growth of the Order was slow, partly due to the severe nature of its lifestyle, Paul’s vision of a community dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the suffering of the world slowly began to take root. At the time of his death in 1775, the Passionist Order had only 180 members spread across twelve retreats in Italy. The Passionist Nuns had been founded just four years earlier in 1771, with Mother Mary Crucified (born Faustina Gertrude Costantini) joining Saint Paul in establishing their first retreat in Corneto, Italy, which opened with just ten members.
"Meditation on Jesus Christ Crucified is a precious balm which sweetens all pains."
Saint Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ
Despite these humble beginnings, the Passionist Order has continued to grow over the past 300 years. Today, the Order has over 2,500 professed members across more than 60 countries. Though still smaller and lesser-known than other religious orders, the Passionists remain deeply committed to their mission of proclaiming the Passion of Christ, offering both contemplative prayer and active service to the suffering and marginalized of the world.The modern-day Passionists continue to live out the charism and spirituality of their founder. Fathers and Brothers of the Order are dedicated to pastoral care and service to the sick, the needy, the homeless, and the oppressed who make up the "Crucified of today." Their ministry of charity involves not only physical acts of care but also a deeper, spiritual outreach, bringing Christ’s message of love, compassion, and hope to those in greatest need.When not engaged in active ministry, Passionists retreat into silent contemplation at their monasteries and retreats, offering their prayer and labor as acts of solidarity with Christ’s suffering. Each act of charity becomes an opportunity to bear witness to the sufferings of the world in honor of Christ's Passion.Passionist Nuns and Sisters, on the other hand, lead a life of complete cloister, devoting themselves to contemplative prayer and reflection on the Passion. For them, the life of silence and prayer is not only a form of personal sanctification but also an intercessory ministry for the conversion of sinners. Many experience mystical visions, just as Saint Paul of the Cross and other Passionist saints did, offering the Church and the world a witness to the deep spiritual experiences that come from a life devoted to the Passion of Christ.The Passionists of today, while embracing their mystical and contemplative heritage, also engage in outreach ministries, particularly among the poor, the marginalized, and those who are often forgotten by society. Whether through preaching, teaching, or compassionate service, the Passionist charism remains as vital as ever: a life of prayer and action united in the suffering and love of Christ, continually calling the world to reflect upon the Sacrifice of the Cross as the greatest source of redemption and hope.
Our Founder
History of the Passionist Order
The Passionist Order was founded in 1720 in Rome, Italy by Saint Paul of the Cross (born Paolo Francesco Danei) with the early support of his brother, John Baptist Danei. At just 19 years old, Paul began feeling an intense calling to a life of solitude and prayer, sensing that God wanted to draw him into a deep relationship with Him. However, it wasn’t until he was 26 that Paul received clear confirmation in his prayers that God was calling him to found a community dedicated to the Passion of Christ, which he believed to be "the greatest work of divine love."After years of discernment and prayer, Paul was clothed in the black habit of the hermit by Bishop Gattinara of Alessandria in 1720. He then embarked on a transformative 40-day retreat at the Church of St. Charles in Castellazo from November 22, 1720 to January 1, 1721. During this time, he wrote the first draft of the Rule of Life for the community, inspired by his mystical reflections on the Passion of Christ and his commitment to spreading Christ’s sacrificial love.Initially called The Poors of Jesus, the community was later named the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (or the Passionist Order). In 1737, Paul established the first Passionist Retreat, the Monastery of the Presentation in the Temple, on Monte Argentario, Italy. The community began with only nine members, but Paul's vision for a life rooted in the Passion of Christ grew steadily, despite the challenges posed by the Order's austere lifestyle and strict rules.The Passionist Rule demanded significant sacrifice from its members: fasting, penance, and a life of contemplative prayer, with no less than three hours of prayer each day in addition to the daily Divine Office. Silence was to be observed throughout the day, broken only for a brief recreation period after supper. The members of the Order were also discalced, wearing only sandals instead of shoes as a sign of humility and poverty.Though the initial growth of the Order was slow, partly due to the severe nature of its lifestyle, Paul’s vision of a community dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the suffering of the world slowly began to take root. At the time of his death in 1775, the Passionist Order had only 180 members spread across twelve retreats in Italy. The Passionist Nuns had been founded just four years earlier in 1771, with Mother Mary Crucified (born Faustina Gertrude Costantini) joining Saint Paul in establishing their first retreat in Corneto, Italy, which opened with just ten members.
"Meditation on Jesus Christ Crucified is a precious balm which sweetens all pains."
Saint Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ
Despite these humble beginnings, the Passionist Order has continued to grow over the past 300 years. Today, the Order has over 2,500 professed members across more than 60 countries. Though still smaller and lesser-known than other religious orders, the Passionists remain deeply committed to their mission of proclaiming the Passion of Christ, offering both contemplative prayer and active service to the suffering and marginalized of the world.The modern-day Passionists continue to live out the charism and spirituality of their founder. Fathers and Brothers of the Order are dedicated to pastoral care and service to the sick, the needy, the homeless, and the oppressed who make up the "Crucified of today." Their ministry of charity involves not only physical acts of care but also a deeper, spiritual outreach, bringing Christ’s message of love, compassion, and hope to those in greatest need.When not engaged in active ministry, Passionists retreat into silent contemplation at their monasteries and retreats, offering their prayer and labor as acts of solidarity with Christ’s suffering. Each act of charity becomes an opportunity to bear witness to the sufferings of the world in honor of Christ's Passion.Passionist Nuns and Sisters, on the other hand, lead a life of complete cloister, devoting themselves to contemplative prayer and reflection on the Passion. For them, the life of silence and prayer is not only a form of personal sanctification but also an intercessory ministry for the conversion of sinners. Many experience mystical visions, just as Saint Paul of the Cross and other Passionist saints did, offering the Church and the world a witness to the deep spiritual experiences that come from a life devoted to the Passion of Christ.The Passionists of today, while embracing their mystical and contemplative heritage, also engage in outreach ministries, particularly among the poor, the marginalized, and those who are often forgotten by society. Whether through preaching, teaching, or compassionate service, the Passionist charism remains as vital as ever: a life of prayer and action united in the suffering and love of Christ, continually calling the world to reflect upon the Sacrifice of the Cross as the greatest source of redemption and hope.