Passionist Saints and Blesseds
Paul of the Cross, as he went on his missionary way, stood on a platform in the city square beneath the Cross. From here he could see and feel the struggles, hopes and confusion of the people. From this vantage point he became the great ´reminder´, the memory maker, announcing the reconciling presence of Christ.
We too, in a radically changed world, are called to stand, in the power of the Cross, no longer on a platform in the city square, but wherever people live and meet, to bring the freeing power of Crucified love into the decisions that affect the spiritual and material wellbeing of all who are crucified by unjust structures.
Our Founder, steeped in the immensity of God’s love shown in the Passion of Jesus, wanted to open his arms and heart to include every part of his world. We are called to be no less inclusive.
In any situation where we find ourselves, prophetic action on behalf of justice is asked of us. This prophetic action is the outward face of our contemplation and of the call to be mystics who can see that all is united in the love of Christ. So, to address the destruction of our environment is a religious task. To speak up to defend our indigenous sisters and brothers whose land, culture and future are sold off to multinationals is indeed being faithful to our Passionist call. Here are brief introductions to some Passionists who have been ‘memory makers’ for their own time.
St. Paul of the Cross
St Paul of the Cross was born over 320 years ago. He was born into a world very different, and yet, remarkably similar to our own. Continue reading…
St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows also known as Francesco Possenti, was born on March 1, 1838, in Assisi, eleventh child of Agnes and Sante Possenti. Francis was baptized on the day of his birth in the same font where St Francis of Assisi had been baptized. Continue reading…
Bl. Dominic Barberi
Dominic Barberi was an Italian Passionist with a heart on fire with love for England. He contributed a great deal to the spread of the Catholic faith in England and was a significant influence in the conversion of John Henry Newman. Continue reading…..
St. Vincent Marie Strambi
Vincent lived in a turbulent time in the 18th century as the world was falling into various revolutions that changed the future or France, England, America and then the world. Continue reading…
Fr. Carl Schmitz
On April 26, 2004, on the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, the cause for the beatification of murdered Passionist missionary, Fr. Carl Schmitz, CP began in the Philippines. Continue reading…
Blessed Eugene Bossilkov
Vincent Bossilkov was born 1900 in Bulgaria. He entered the Passionists who had served in Bulgaria since 1781 and took the name Eugene. He professed his vows in 1920. He wrote a thesis on the Union of Bulgarians with the Holy See in the early 13th century. Continue reading…
Blessed Isidore de Loor
Holiness doesn’t always mean great visions, miracles or deep spiritual writings. Sometimes, it just means being a good gardener who tries to do what God asks. Isidore became known as “Brother of the Will of God.” Continue reading…
Blessed Grimoaldo Santamaria
Born to Peter Paul and Cecilia Santamaria on May 4 1883 and baptized Ferdinando the following day. He was born not far from a place that became famous in World War 2 as the scene of terrible losses of soldiers in the battle of Monte Cassino. Continue reading…
Blessed Pio Campidelli
Blessed Pio Campidelli only had a few years in which to show that he was a winner in the spiritual stakes. He was born in Trebbio, the son of farmers in Rimini in Italy in 1868. Continue reading…
George Spencer Ignatius of St.Paul
The Passionists, led by Dominic Barberi, came to England at a time of real hostility and restriction. For 250 years the English government forced members of the pre-Reformation Catholic Church known as recusants Continue reading…
St. Charles Houben
St. Charles Houben, more popularly known as Father Charles of Mount Argus was born in Holland. He was given the name Johannes Andreas by his parents. Continue reading…