Birth: January 3, 1694 – Ovada, Italy
Death: October 18, 1775 – Rome, Italy
Beatified: October 1, 1852 by Pope Pius IX
Canonized: June 29, 1867 by Pope Pius IX
Feast Day: October 19 (worldwide), October 20 (USA)
Patronage: Founder of the Passionists
St. Paul of the Cross, born Paolo Francesco Danei, grew up in a devout Catholic family that instilled in him a strong love for prayer and compassion for the poor. As a young man, he was deeply struck by the depth of Jesus’ suffering on the Cross and came to understand it not as a tragedy, but as the ultimate sign of God’s love for humanity.
In 1720, after a powerful spiritual experience, he wrote the Rule for a new religious congregation dedicated entirely to the Passion of Christ. He spent 40 days in solitude and prayer, during which he received the vision and inspiration to found the Passionists.
