MEMORIAL: OCTOBER 20
St. Paul of the Cross lived in the beginning of the 18th century. After leaving the army, St. Paul lived a life of austere seclusion until he had a vision from God to start an order focused on the passion of Christ. After he was ordained, he started the Discalced Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They are now commonly known as the Passionists. Along with the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Passionists also vow to spread the memory of Christ’s passion to the faithful. St. Paul of the Cross was known as a great preacher and spent many hours in prayer. It is said that he had such a great devotion to the passion of our lord that his heart beat faster on Fridays. He died in 1775, but over 2,000 of his writings have been preserved.
