The saint we honor today was born the son of a wealthy
merchant near Genoa Italy, in 1694. He
received his early education from the Capuchin Franciscans. Even as a young boy he was marked with great
sanctity. Not only did he excel in his
studies, but he was deeply reverent, and devoted to prayer, especially to Holy
Mass.
Shortly after his confirmation, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Him in a vision wearing
an all-black habit. This became the
habit of the order he would found, called the Congregation of the Passion of
Jesus Christ, known today as the Passionists.
The Passionist rule included dime daily for seclusion,
penance, and several hours of contemplation of the Passion of Christ. They wore long black tunics made of rough
cloth with the words “the passion of Christ” inscribed within a white
heart.
Paul of the Cross became a very popular preacher, traveling
bear-foot throughout Italy, preaching the Passion of Jesus. He attracted large crowds and was responsible
for many conversions and miracles.
Passionists to this day visit parishes and seminaries
preaching and helping us more deeply conform ourselves to Christ’s
passion. Paul of the Cross is one of the
patron saints of evangelists.
There are many amazing stories from his life. One time while he was preaching, it began to
rain, but not a drop fell upon him or anyone that remained close enough to listen
to him. Another time, at the close of a
parish mission, a child had an terrible accidental fall and died. The distraught parents brought Paul of the
Cross to the lifeless child, and he prayed silently over the child, and its
life was restored.
Paul, also had visions of the souls suffering in Purgatory,
and one time his guardian angel actually took him, in spirit, to purgatory
where he was allowed to experience what the holy souls there had to
suffer. After this extraordinary grace,
he offered all of his sufferings for their satisfaction and encouraged others
to do the same.
After Paul’s death there were numerous miracles attributed
to his intercession which were used as evidence in his Canonization Process.
St. Paul wrote, “It is very good and holy to consider the
Passion of our Lord and to meditate on it, for by this sacred path we reach
union with God. In this most holy school
we learn true wisdom.”
Paul contemplated the supreme love that God showed us in the
Passion of His Son, God gave Paul mystical insight and wisdom and special gifts
of grace. His life was marked out by a
spirit of penance, a love of poverty, and a desire for prayer and solitude. As he proclaimed the rich harvest of
salvation, his words and example brought back to God countless sinners who had
strayed from him. Through his
intercession may we keep before our eyes always the Passion of Christ for the
glory of God and salvation of souls.
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