Advent & the Passionist Pillars

St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross left a last will and testament to all Passionists, recorded by the brethren at Sts. John and Paul in Rome when our holy founder was on his deathbed. In these parting words, the saint exhorted his spiritual children to hold fast to three precious spiritual dispositions in order to ensure the flourishing of Passionist Life. In his own words:

I recommend to all, especially to those who will be in the office of superiors, that there always flourish in the Congregation the spirit of prayer, the spirit of solitude, and the spirit of poverty. Let them be sure that, if they will maintain these three things, the Congregation will shine like the sun in the sight of God and the nations.

This three-fold spirit of Poverty, Solitude, and Prayer is cherished by Passionist men and women alike. We find the preeminent model of this spirit in Christ during His Passion, and often look to the Paschal Mystery to gain a deeper appreciation and fuller living of these pillars of our life. However, as we move with the Church through the liturgical year, each mystery she sets before our eyes sheds fresh light upon the fundamentals of Passionist life. The beautiful season of Advent now beginning is no exception.

During Advent, we are invited to walk closely with Mary in anticipation of the Lord’s coming. Our Lady was the chosen vessel to bear God Incarnate, and in her we may discern the delicate contours of all the virtues that Christ, formed in her womb and raised in her maternal care, would exhibit perfectly in His life, Passion, and death. In these few weeks of journeying to Bethlehem, we will be reflecting on the particularly Passionist traits illuminated by Mary’s Advent life: her spirit of poverty, spirit of solitude, and spirit of prayer.

May Our Lady’s example ready each of our hearts to receive Christ and to radiate His likeness in the world!