St. Paul of the Cross founded the Congregation of the Passion to place the Passion of Christ at the center of preaching and pastoral life. His charism insisted that the faithful be drawn into intimacy with the crucified Lord so that suffering and love could be seen through the lens of redemptive self-gift.
For St. Paul of the Cross, the Passion was a living reality that shaped prayer, consolation, and denunciation of values contrary to the Gospel. Passionist preaching names human suffering, accompanies those who mourn, and dares to say that God’s presence is most real where love suffers.
Paradox is both theological and pastoral. How can weakness be strength? What is the notion of power? God’s power is not domination, but transformative presence in suffering. The cross reveals that redemption is revealed in vulnerability. The crucified Christ upends human rankings.
Passionist preaching calls communities to remember the woundedness of the world and to respond with compassionate accompaniment rather than simplistic answers. We Passionists are present where grief is and enter into the pain of others. Together we pray and form hearts that can endure and transform suffering into community, solidarity with the suffering, and solidarity with others.
When retreatants come to Christ the King or any one of our retreat centers, they are invited to learn about Jesus, and Him crucified. As Passionists, we are invited to look at the sending of the Apostles, imitating the apostles’ simplicity and trust.
St. Paul of the Cross reminds us that ministry is a faithful love that suffers and heals. We are sent like the apostles; vulnerable, dependent, and trusting. The paradox of the cross is our greatest strength where we find God’s love and wisdom.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts! St. Paul of the Cross, pray for us!
