Paul of the Cross

Paolo Francesco Danei, better known as Saint Paul of the Cross, was an Italian mystic and priest born on January 3, 1694, in Ovada, Kingdom of Sardinia. He is the founder of the Congregation of the Discalced Clerics of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, more commonly known as the Passionists. From a young age, he was deeply devoted to the Passion of Christ. After a brief military career, he was inspired to found a religious order entirely dedicated to preaching the Passion and to a life of penance. In 1720, he experienced a series of visions that prompted him to write the rules for his future order. He was ordained a priest in 1727 along with his brother, John Baptist. The Passionists are distinguished by their black habit bearing the sign of the Heart of Jesus with the words "Jesu XPI Passio" (Passion of Jesus Christ). Paul of the Cross spent his life preaching popular missions, hearing confessions, and offering spiritual direction to many souls, including popes and cardinals. He emphasized the contemplation of the Passion as the source of all grace and wisdom. He died in Rome on October 18, 1775, and was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.