Passionist Saints

We love our Passionist saints and blesseds! They are our older brothers and sisters who have gone before us on this road through Calvary to the Resurrection. Celebrate them with us throughout the year and read more about their stories.

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Memorial of Bl. Bernard Mary Silvestrelli, CP
Dec 9
Memorial of Bl. Bernard Mary Silvestrelli, CP

Blessed Bernard Mary of Jesus, born Caesar Silvestrelli, a priest and religious of the Passionist Congregation, hailed as the ‘Second Founder’, born on November 7, 1831 in Rome, Italy; died December 9, 1911 at Moricone, Italy. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

Memorial of St. Charles of Mount Argus, CP
Feb 5
Memorial of St. Charles of Mount Argus, CP

God raised up Fr. Charles just at the time when Ireland was coming out of the catacombs of 300 years of Protestant persecution.  Fr. Charles was a humble man of God who came into the midst  of the discouraged, poor and down-trodden Irish people.  He performed signs and wonders, giving them new hope that God did care about their afflictions and was still in their midst. 

Passing of Ven. Mother Maria Magdalena, CP
Feb 10
Passing of Ven. Mother Maria Magdalena, CP

Ven. Maria Magalena founded the monastery of Passionist Nuns in Madrid, Spain. She also wrote extensively (under the pseudonym J. Pastor) to promote the ideal of holiness of life. Her autobiography, entitled the “Apostle of Love”, is described by the Dominican theologians of Salamanca, Spain as “the most sublime work ... that has ever been written about God’s love for all creatures”.

Feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, CP
Feb 27
Feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, CP

While seeing the highly honored miraculous picture of our Lady in Spoleto borne about in solemn procession, Francis felt the fire of divine love rising in his heart and almost at once made the resolve to join the Passionists, a religious congregation dedicated to the veneration of and meditation on the passion of Jesus Christ.

Memorial of St. Gemma Galgani, Lay Passionist
May 16
Memorial of St. Gemma Galgani, Lay Passionist

Although Gemma was not a Passionist in the canonical sense, she desired to be and God raised her up as a true paradigm for those who desire to follow St Paul of the Cross. She is one of the most popular saints of the Passionist Congregation. Devotion to Gemma is particularly strong both in Italy and Latin America.

Memorial of St. Maria Goretti
Jul 6
Memorial of St. Maria Goretti

St. Maria Goretti was born of a poor peasant family in Corinaldi, Italy, in 1890.  She was well known to her neighbors for her cheerfulness and piety. When she was twelve, a vicious stranger burst upon her, bent on raping her and destroying her childlike purity.  With splendid courage she surrendered herself to God and preferred to die rather than to lose her virginity.

Passing of Ven. Maria Addolorata Luciani, CP
Jul 23
Passing of Ven. Maria Addolorata Luciani, CP

The characteristic spirituality of Sr. Maria Addolorata was characterized by the offering of her life in order to be conformed to Jesus Crucified. This was demonstrated in her total and unconditional acceptance of her physical sufferings, of which she willingly spoke and wrote, so that everyone would know about her great love for Jesus.

Memorial of Bl. Niceforo and 25 Companions, Passionist Martyrs
Jul 24
Memorial of Bl. Niceforo and 25 Companions, Passionist Martyrs

Led away as if they were criminals, the Passionist religious left the church. No one thought about running from death.  All remained faithful to the Lord. After praying and receiving the Eucharist, the Passionists of Daimiel, felt that they were strengthened and prepared to confront their passion and to completely drink the chalice that the heavenly Father had prepared for them.

Memorial of Bl. Dominic Barberi, CP
Aug 26
Memorial of Bl. Dominic Barberi, CP

When he was twenty-one, Dominic received the first direct inkling of what the Lord's plans for his future might be. He writes: "One of these days (I think it was one of the last of the year 1813) as I was saying my prayers, the idea came to me that God wanted me to be a priest, and that I was to go and bring the light of the Gospel to a foreign nation."

Memorial of St. Vincent Mary Strambi, CP
Sep 24
Memorial of St. Vincent Mary Strambi, CP

As a Passionist, Vincent was a man of prayer and community observance. He was also a zealous and effective missionary preacher. He helped to develop the methodology for Passionist missionary preaching and also exercised roles of authority and leadership in the congregation. As biographer of the founder he did much to preserve St. Paul’s spirit for future generations.

Memorial of Bl. Pius Campidelli, CP
Nov 3
Memorial of Bl. Pius Campidelli, CP

Blessed Pius of Saint Aloysius, born Luigi Campidelli, was a religious and clerical student of the Passionist Congregation. He received Minor Orders but was struck down with tuberculosis before he could be ordained priest. He died at 21 years of age on November 2, 1889, offering his life for his troubled home region of Romagna. 

Memorial of Bl. Eugene Bossilkov, CP
Nov 13
Memorial of Bl. Eugene Bossilkov, CP

The Passionist Bishop and Martyr Eugene Bossilkov was born November 16, 1900 in Belene (Bulgaria), a village in the Danube Valley. He was executed in the prison (left) at Sophia on the night of November 11, 1952 at 11:30 P.M.  His body was thrown into a common grave for criminals; the precise location of his burial place and his body is unknown.

Passing of Ven. Mother Mary Crucified, CP
Nov 16
Passing of Ven. Mother Mary Crucified, CP

Mother Mary Crucified was the superior of the first convent of Passionist Nuns. Through this role and because of her profound sharing in St. Paul's charism she is also called "co-foundress" of the Passionists. In 1982 Pope John Paul II approved the document declaring that she had practiced heroic virtue and should be called "Venerable."  We await the day of her beatification!

Memorial of Bl. Grimoaldo of the Purification, CP
Nov 18
Memorial of Bl. Grimoaldo of the Purification, CP

Blessed Grimoaldo of the Purification, born Ferdinando Santamaria, a religious and clerical student of the Passionist Congregation, born on May 4, 1883 in Pontecorvo, Frosinone, Italy; died November 18, 1902 at Ceccano, Italy. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

Free E-Books

Featured
The Mysticism of the Passion in St. Paul of the Cross
The Mysticism of the Passion in St. Paul of the Cross

Rev. Martin Bialas, C.P.

This book serves as an introduction to the spiritual and theological thinking of St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionist Congregation (men and women), pastor and spiritual teacher, who placed the suffering and crucified Lord at the center of his life.

St. Paul of the Cross, C.P.
St. Paul of the Cross, C.P.

Elmer Schepers (Passionist Oblate)

A Biography of St. Paul of the Cross, C.P. founder of the Passionist Congregation for men and women. Beautifully illustrates the heroic virtue of this holy man and how he led others to the Foot of the Cross where they were immersed in the love of Jesus Crucified.

St. Vincent Strambi, C.P.
St. Vincent Strambi, C.P.

Elmer Schepers (Passionist Oblate)

A Biography of St. Vincent Strambi, C.P. Passionist Bishop. You'll marvel at the virtue and heroism of this great man of God. Friend of Popes, conqueror of Rulers, but his greatest loves are Jesus Crucified, Our Sorrowful Mother and the poor in whom he always saw and served Jesus. He was a man who could have had anything he wanted in life, wealth, luxury, fame or position. Yet he chose to give all to God for the love of Jesus Crucified.

"He Was a Great Lover of England": Dominic Barberi & the Conversion of J. H. Newman
"He Was a Great Lover of England": Dominic Barberi & the Conversion of J. H. Newman

Fr. Gregor  Lenzen,  C.P.
Provincial of the South German–Austrian Vice-Province of the Passionists with its seat in Munich.

Fr. Dominic of the Mother of God was a spiritual son of St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), the founder of the Passionists, about whom Newman writes in his novel “Loss and Gain”, “…the thought of England came into his ordinary prayers; and in his last years, after a vision during Mass, as if he had been Augustine or Mellitus, he talked of his ‘sons’ in England.” Dominic Barberi turned his founder’s vision into action when he set off from Rome for Belgium in 1840 with three of his confreres to make preparations for founding a community in England.

Spiritual Discernment in the Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
Spiritual Discernment in the Diary of St. Paul of the Cross

Fr. Gregor Lenzen, C.P.
Provincial of the South German–Austrian Vice-Province of the Passionists with its seat in Munich.

In the opening entry of his diary St. Paul of the Cross sounds the characteristic tone of the whole Diary when he writes, "that the most holy will of our dear God is being fulfilled.'  The diary entries recording his 40-day retreat at the church of St. Charles in Castellazzo begin on 23 November 1720. This valuable document is a compelling witness to the spiritual discernment and decisions of a human being in existential dialogue with God.

The Life of Bl. Charles of Mt. Argus
The Life of Bl. Charles of Mt. Argus

Compiled from: 
Paul Francis Spencer, C.P.: “To Heal the Brokenhearted”
Brian D’Arcy, C.P.: “Blessed Charles of Mount Argus”
Roger Mercurio, C.P.: “The Passionists”

Fr. Charles Houben of Mount Argus was outstanding in holiness and a living witness to God’s mercy and compassion toward the sick and suffering.  Fr. Charles gave a powerful witness to Christ the Healer, whose Heart was moved to compassion whenever He encountered those who suffer in body or in soul.  Our new saint is someone we definitely need to get to know!  Here we trace some of the steps in the life journey of Charles.

Blog Posts about Our Saints

Featured
Honoring Our Co-Foundress
Honoring Our Co-Foundress

Today, November 16th, we commemorate the death of our Co-Foundress, the first Passionist Nun, Mother Mary Crucified. She was chosen by St. Paul of the Cross to lead the first monastery of our Congregation

Get to Know Bl. Eugene, CP!
Get to Know Bl. Eugene, CP!

Last Friday marked the 70th anniversary of the martyrdom of Bl. Eugene Bossilkov, CP. In honor of the occasion, the Passionist General Secretary sent out a wonderful reflection on the life of this saintly Bishop, whom we are proud to have as part of our Congregation.

Interview About Servant of God Ignatius Spencer, CP
Interview About Servant of God Ignatius Spencer, CP

An Anglican clergyman turned Passionist missionary, this remarkable man gave up enormous wealth and prestige (he was related to the Royal Family!) to follow the call of God. His tireless work in building churches, preaching missions, and promoting Christian unity has left an indelible mark on the Church in England. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did!

Interview About Bl. Dominic Barberi, CP
Interview About Bl. Dominic Barberi, CP

The Church just celebrated All Saints’ Day on November 1st, and we as Passionists have many holy men and women in Heaven to honor and celebrate! Among these is our Blessed Dominic Barberi, a 19th-century missionary to England who received St. John Henry Newman into the Catholic Church.

Making a Holy Spiritual Communion
Making a Holy Spiritual Communion

During this time of crisis, as even our churches are suspending public Masses because of COVID-19, we wanted to share with you a beautiful passage on spiritual communion from one of the letters of St. Paul of the Cross.

Another Passionist Saint?
Another Passionist Saint?

The cause for canonization is moving forward for Sr. Carmelina Tarantino, a Sister of St. Paul of the Cross.

Remembering Venerable Mother Mary Crucified - First Passionist Nun
Remembering Venerable Mother Mary Crucified - First Passionist Nun

November 16 is the anniversary of the death of Ven. Mother Mary Crucified, first Passionist nun and co-foundress of the Passionist monastery in Tarquinia, Italy.

St. John Henry Newman's Passionist Connection
St. John Henry Newman's Passionist Connection

Fr. Joachim Rego, CP, has written a wonderful reflection on the relationship between the newly-canonized St. John Henry Newman and our Passionist Bl. Dominic Barberi.

Scenes from the Life of St. Gabriel Possenti
Scenes from the Life of St. Gabriel Possenti

In honor of St. Gabriel’s feast day the novitiate members and some of the younger nuns treated us to a skit based on his life.

Movie Night, Passionist Style: New Docu-Drama on St. Paul of the Cross
Movie Night, Passionist Style: New Docu-Drama on St. Paul of the Cross

The Passionist Fathers are gearing up for the Tricentenary of the founding of Passionist Congregation’s male branch, and as part of their preparations they teamed up with EWTN on the production of a new, original documentary-drama film on the life of our Holy Founder!

Icon of Our Lady of Sorrows, principal patroness of the Passionist Congregation, surrounded by many of our Passionist Saints and Blesseds. The priest standing to her right who does not have a halo is Fr. John Baptist Danei, brother and first compani…

Icon of Our Lady of Sorrows, principal patroness of the Passionist Congregation, surrounded by many of our Passionist Saints and Blesseds. The priest standing to her right who does not have a halo is Fr. John Baptist Danei, brother and first companion of St. Paul of the Cross. The four priests kneeling in front are the founders of the Korean Passionist community.