The 2005 Passionist Companions Programme will examine the life, spirituality and teachings of St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists. This year the programme will use material from "A Source/Workbook on Paulacrucian Studies" by Father Jude Mead, C.P.

Biography of St. Paul of the Cross

The Spiritual Diary of St. Paul of the Cross

THE PASSION OF JESUS IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

"THE PASSION OF JESUS IS A WORK OF LOVE"

St. Paul of the Cross to Sister Maria Innocenza of the Sorrowful Mother, 21st June 1757, Letter 1077

The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Matthew becomes a feature of the Passionist Companions Programme during 2005. The Companions will be invited to take up the Passion in St. Matthew's Gospel for their own personal reading, prayer and reflection during the year.

"Matthew's account of Jesus' passion is a forceful drama that commands two full chapters of his Gospel (26:1- 27:66). With sober, controlled language, St. Matthew retells the events of Jesus' last hours of life. The rhythm of the narrative is fast paced. It begins with a prelude in which the passion is solemnly predicted and Jesus' opponents concoct their death plot (26:1-16). Orientation to the decisive moment of the passion continues with the events surrounding the final Passover meal (26:17-35), where Jesus interprets the meaning of his impending death.

The pace quickens in Gethsemane with Jesus' urgent prayer, followed immediately by the arrival of Judas and the mob who come for the arrest (26:36-56). Jesus is taken before the Senhedrin where he risks condemnation by fearlessly confessing his true identity, while at the same time Peter denies his discipleship before the servants and bystanders in the courtyard (26:57-75). As Jesus is being brought to trial before Pilate we learn of Judas' tragic fate (27:1-10). The trail before the Roman governor reaches its climax as Jesus is rejected and condemned by his own people (27:11-31). There follows the crucifixion and death of Jesus, a scene of almost cosmic proportions in Matthew's account (27:32-56). The drama ends on a muted note of expectation as the crucified Messiah is buried by a disciple (27:57-61) while the leaders nervously insist that Pilate place a guard at the tomb (27:62-66)."

The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, Donald Senior, C.P., Michael Glazier, Wilmington Delaware, 1985,  p. 47-48

Resource Books -

THE PASSION OF JESUS IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Donald Senior, C.P.
Michael Glazier, Inc. Delaware, USA, 1985

PRAYING MATTHEW
John Reilly
St. Pauls, Homebush, Australia, 1995

* These resources are available from Pauline Books and Media

The 2005 Passionist Companions Programme will reflect on Mary, Mother of Sorrows, the principal patroness of the Passionists.

“The painful pieces of Mary’s life help us to get through our own rough-edged moments. We see how she too questioned what was confusing and unclear, how she needed others to be with her in her pain, how she reflected on her experiences in order to find meaning. We also see how her faith sustained her, and how her son gave her strength to endure. We discover that we are not alone in what is most difficult to us ….” 

taken from Your Sorrow Is My Sorrow by Joyce Rupp
 

“I also leave you then in the sacred wounds of Jesus, under the protection of the Sorrowful Mother, praying to her in particular to bathe you and the whole family in her sorrowful tears that you may have a continual remembrance of her sorrows, and that she may give you perseverance in the holy love of God, strength and resignation to suffer. Take Mary Most Sorrowful as your protectress and never cease to meditate on the Sorrowful Passion of Jesus Christ” 

Letter of St. Paul of the Cross to his Sisters and Brothers, St. Stephen’s, Castellazzo, 21st February 1722

Interpreting the traditional sentiment, the Thirty-eighth General Chapter of the Passionists held in 1964 decreed by unanimous acclamation the recognition of Mary, the Sorrowful Virgin, as the principal patroness of the Passionists. This was confirmed in 1972 by the First General Synod and by the enquiry made when the new Passionist Calendar was being prepared. The General Council seeing such results and the harmonious agreement by all, decided to present to the Holy See a request for official approval. His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, by the apostolic letter “Quam Ardens” in the form of a Brief dated 8th March 1973 constituted and proclaimed the Sorrowful Virgin Mary the principal patroness of the Passionists.

In honouring her, Passionists follow in the footsteps of St. Paul of the Cross, who by his personal devotion, his letters, preaching and other apostolic endeavours, deeply venerated the holy Virgin united with her Son in his Passion.

Passionist Proper Offices, p. 125
 

Resource Book -

YOUR SORROW IS MY SORROW 
- Hope and Strength in Times of Suffering
Joyce Rupp
Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, 1999

This resource is available from Pauline Books and Media