Novena of Saint Paul of the Cross

Our Blessed Founder, Saint Paul of the Cross,ora pro nobis!

    Yes, the great Feast of Saint Paul of the Cross is in 9 days. I hope you will join us in praying for his powerful intercession. I have included a short biography from our Passionist Proper breviary. The biography in the universal breviary is NOT a good biography on our Founder. In fact, when I read it, I wonder who they are talking about. They certainly didn't ask a Passionist about it before printing it.

   Paul Daneo was born in 1694 at Ovada in Piedmont. During his youth, he helped his father in business. Called by God to follow the example of Jesus Crucified, he received the religious habit in 1720 and committed himself totally to asceticism and the apostolate.

   While temporarily engaged in the care of the sick at Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood by Pope Benedict XIII. He then withdrew into solitude on Monte Argentario together with his brother, Venerable Father John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel and, under God's inspiration, founded the Congregation of the Passion.

   The principal purpose of the Congregation is to meditate on and proclaim the passion and death of the Lord. For the same purpose, he also founded the Passionist Nuns as a contemplative community.

   Tireless preacher of the Word of the Cross, outstanding superior of the Congregation, eminent model of penance and contemplation, and enlightened director of souls, Paul of the Cross is considered the greatest mystic of the eighteenth century.

   He died in Rome on October 18, 1775.  His feast is on October 19th but in North America the Feast of the North American Martyrs is celebrated on this day; therefore St. Paul of the Cross' feast is celebrated on October 20th.

   We have been asked to do a radio program about our Founder in honor of his feast next week. This will be aired on our local EWTN radio station on Monday, October 20 and again on the following Saturday. Pray that God will anoint this program and touch the hearts of all who listen, as we seek to make our Founder and his charism more widely known.

   Here is the prayer our Community will be praying during the Novena:

O good St. Paul of the Cross,

you revealed the wonders of God's power

by proclaiming the Passion of God's only Son.

By your words and might deeds,

you became a spiritual guide and preacher of the Gospel

to a world grown cold to the love of Jesus Christ.

Turn our hearts and minds to the merciful cross of Jesus.

Help us to persevere in faith and love,

and assist us in every need.

By sharing the Passion of Jesus in this life,

may we come to share in the glory He has promised.

Amen