I was surprised when I found this mage of of St. Paul of the Cross in conjunction with Shining Light Dolls LLC. It made reflect on his life from a young boy until the time he died as a 81 year old man on October 18, 1775. Born Paolo Francesco Danei in 1694, he grew up in a devout Catholic Italian family that instilled in him with a strong love for prayer and compassion for the poor. As a young man, he was deeply moved by the depth of Jesus’ suffering on the Cross. Rather understanding this a tragedy, he saw this as the ultimate sign of God’s love for humanity.
In 1720, a powerful spiritual experience inspired Paul to write a so-called Rule of common life dedicated entirely to the Passion of Jesus Christ. This also led him to spend 40 days in solitude and prayer. It was during this time that he became known as Paul of the Cross and received undertook the inspiration to gather companions who were motivated in the same way. Despite many obstacles—including skepticism from Church leaders—Paul, eventually was given permission to gather companions and officially establish the Congregation of the Passion in 1741. Known thereafter as the Passionists, they sought to live a life of poverty, prayer and community, and go out into the world to preach missions and retreats, helping people reconnect with God’s love through the memory of Jesus’ Passion and Cross.
Paul of the Cross became known as gifted preacher. The words and images he used were powerful. Common people young and old responded to his compassionate message which served a guide for people to seek personal conversion, healing and peace. Instead of seeing suffering as curse, he emphasized that the Passion of Jesus Christ is a source of hope and strength whenever we are faced with any forms of human suffering.
Paul of the Cross also wrote thousands of letter in which he offered spiritual direction to lay people, priests and religious alike. What made these letters so unique was that he was not afraid to share his own personal cross of daily sufferings and address more perplexing questions of apparent public sufferings. Through it all he began to see this process as a representation of how anyone can be in union with the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through it all he remained deeply humble, gentle and spiritually grounded. He founded new monasteries. In 2026 Passionists vowed priests and brothers are in in 60 countries throughout the world.
Let us pray to St. Paul of the Cross on his 332 birthday. May he intercede for us. May he help us and others carry our daily crosses in life. St. Paul of the Cross, bless us and keep all peoples of the world safe.