Tag Archives: Passionist Order

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Paul of the Cross, Feast Day October 20




 

St. Paul of the Cross Public Domain Image
St. Paul of the Cross

The feast day of St. Paul of the Cross is celebrated on October 20.

St. Paul of the Cross was born in the Ovada in the Republic of Genoa on Jan. 3, 1694.  His parents had 16 children, of whom only six survived.

When St. Paul was young he fell into a river.  He was rescued by a beautiful woman he believed to be the Blessed Virgin.

He was called to the religious life early. He had a tender devotion to Our Blessed Lady, and the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. St. Paul of the Cross worked as a hospital chaplain for 21 years before founding the Passionist Order after having a vision.  In the vision, he saw himself clothed in the habit that his community would wear: a long, black robe with a white symbol stitched in the center and a white cross above a white heart that held the words, “passion of Jesus Christ.”  His brother John Baptist joined the order also.  The new community was grounded in poverty and solitude and had a mission to encourage people to meditate on the suffering and death of Jesus.

The mission of St. Paul of the Cross was to reach out to the poor and abandoned people, preaching the message of faith, compassion and loving redemption. He was a popular preacher, poet, and mystic.  He became known for miracles.  St. Paul was given supernatural gifts.  He could see into the future and heal sick people through his prayer and touch.  St. Paul of the Cross was known as a very holy man and considered a saint.

At the age of 81, St. Paul of the Cross died in Rome in the year 1775.

The universal Church feast (memorial) of St Paul of the Cross is celebrated worldwide on October 19th. In the USA it is celebrated on October 20, because of the memorial of the North American Martyrs on the 19th.

 

Carry a bouquet of the suffering of Jesus

on the altar of your heart.

Quote of St. Paul of the Cross

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Feast Day Feb. 27




St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

St. Gabriel 2

The feast day of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on Feb. 27. St. Gabriel’s baptismal name was Francis Possenti. He was born into a large family living in Assisi, Italy on March 1, 1838. His father was a lawyer.  St. Gabriel is the patron saint of students, young people and of clergy.

The early life of Francis was filled with loss and suffering. Two siblings died in 1841 followed by the death of his mother soon after. He was only four years old. Years later, one of his brothers was killed in the Italian war with Austria and his brother Lawrence committed suicide.

Although as a teenager Francis was quite worldly, he felt a call to the religious life. He was educated by the Jesuits. After the death of his sister to cholera he decided to enter the Passionist Order. The religious order is dedicated to the veneration and meditation on the passion of Jesus Christ. He took the name Gabriel of the Our Lady of Sorrows.

 

St. Gabriel 1
While studying to become a priest he was known for his obedience, cheerfulness and humility. He was considered an outstanding student. Four years after becoming a novitiate he was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

St. Gabriel died in 1866 embracing an image of Our Lady of Sorrows before he could be ordained a priest. He was only 24 years old.

Many miracles are attributed to him after his death.   St. Gamma Galgani credited St. Gabriel with her cure from spinal meningitis which led her to a vocation as a Passionist.

 

 

Love Mary!  She is lovable, faithful, constant.  She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme.  If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you.  If you are troubled, she will console you.  If you are sick, she will bring you relief.  If you are in need, she will help you.  She does not look to see what kind of person you have been.  She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her.  She comes quickly and opens her merciful Heart to you, embraces you, consoles and serves you.  She will even be on hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity.

Quote of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

 

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows in Art

February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord



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