New at the Archives

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

Today, Passionist founder St. Paul of Cross is 332 years old (1694/01/3 – 2026/01/3): What ways might this modern image and short reflection help all of us respond to suffering and seek healings alongside peoples of the world whenever we look at Jesus on the Cross. May the Passion of Jesus Christ Be Always in Our Heart.

I was surprised when I found this mage of of St. Paul of the Cross in conjunction with Shining Light...

December 2, 2025December 2, 2025

The Passionist Historical Archives thanks you for your support in 2025 and invites to join us on our journey into 2026

Please consider making a secure online donation to the Passionist Historical Archives at https://passionistarchives.org/donations/Your contribution large or small assists me...

January 28, 2025January 27, 2025

Year of the Snake 2025: Reflection on the China New Year as seen through the eyes of Passionist missionary to China, Father Raphael Vance (1894-1958).

Let us celebrate the Chinese New Year of the SnakeThis 1920s photo from the Passionist China Collection shows a snake charmer from Wusu 烏宿 in...

December 25, 2024December 25, 2024

How does the Holy Family speak to us in 2024?

Chinese artist Luke Chen (1902-1967) was a famed painter in China who used his talents to understand traditional Catholic and...

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Consider a financial donation, large or small, to support research and continued education on Passionist history and spirituality

Your donation of $50 will cover my living expenses and ongoing ministry as a Passionist historian for one day. Go...

November 16, 2024November 16, 2024

Passionist historian Father Rob Carbonneau, C.P., and author Katherine Koch discuss her historic novel The Sower of Black Field: The witness of Passionist Father Viktor Koch in WWII Germany as they discuss how the Passionist spirituality of Jesus’ suffering provided a path to justice and compassion in 1945 that still speaks to us in 2024.

You are invited to watch the zoom presentation as I discuss with novelist Katherine Koch about her historical novel The Sower of...

November 16, 2024November 16, 2024

95 Years Later: Remembering the Life, Death and Memory of Three Young Passionists Killed in Hunan, China”

On April 24, 1929, three young Passionists were murdered at the hand of bandits while serving as missionaries in Hunan, China....

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024

Passionist Mission to a Suffering World: Historical Reflections on the Occasion of the 48th Passionist General Chapter 2024

Passionist History Video Lecture by Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D. “The passion of Jesus is a sea of sorrows but it...

October 11, 2024October 11, 2024

Sign Magazine 1921-1982. Passionist History Video Lecture

Want to understand what it was like to grow up as an American Catholic man, woman or child during the...

March 24, 2024March 14, 2024

Palm Sunday March 24, 2024: Receiving, Carrying Palms & Public Peace

I remain constantly inspired by this photo. I offer this new meditation as we celebrate Palm Sunday 2024. As you...

February 25, 2024February 25, 2024

Second Week of Lent 2024: Two Meditations-St. Gabriel’s Monastery, Brighton, MA; Archconfraternity of the Passionist membership and China in Sign Magazine in 1924

Above photo: the former St. Gabriel’s Monastery, 185 Washington Street, Brighton, Massachusetts, 2024. Copyright Father Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D. Meditation...

February 18, 2024February 18, 2024

First Week of Lent 2024: Two Meditations-the Bavarian Cross; the meaning Lent in Sign Magazine in 1924

Meditation One: Take a moment to meditate on this cross: this figure of Christ hangs above the altar in the...

The Passionist Historical Archives of St. Paul of the Cross Province is the repository for uniquely valuable records which documents the history of the Congregation of the Passion in the United States and its ministries from the arrival of the first Passionists in 1852 to the present day.

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In the Archives: The Passionist China Collection

The Passionists were sent to China by Propaganda Fide in Rome. They arrived in 1921 and remained until they were expelled in 1955. The Passionist China collection contains missionary correspondence, photos, and more.

Collection Overview

The Sign Magazine Archival Collection

The Sign magazine was a national, Catholic monthly publication from 1921 to 1982. The founder and editor until 1934 was Father Harold Purcell, C.P. Holy Cross Province Archives provided us with a computer file containing the table of contents of each issue from 1921 to July 1959.

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About the Archives

The Passionist Historical Archives of St. Paul of the Cross Province is the repository for uniquely valuable records which documents the history of the Congregation of the Passion in the United States and its ministries from the arrival of the first Passionists in 1852 to the present day.

In the Archives: The Passionist China Collection

The Sign Magazine Archival Collection