Vowed Passionists

A vowed Passionist is a man who has freely and prayerfully committed his life to God by professing religious vows as a member of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, commonly known as the Passionists.

A Passionist priest places a hand on a young man in habit during a profession ceremony inside a chapel.
Nicholas Divine, CP, is congratulated by then Provincial Superior, Fr. Joe Moons, CP, after professing his First Passionist Vows on August 15, 2016. Fr. Jim Strommer, CP, holds the book with the Rite of Profession.

These vows are more than promises. They are a way of life rooted in the memory of Christ’s Passion and the call to compassion.

What Are the Vows?

A vowed Passionist publicly professes the three traditional vows of religious life:

  1. Poverty – living simply and sharing all things in common, depending on God and community rather than personal possessions.
  2. Chastity – living celibately in order to give one’s love and energy wholly to God and the service of others.
  3. Obedience – listening deeply and responding to God’s will through community life and mission.

And Passionists take a fourth vow that is unique to our congregation:

  1. To keep alive the memory of the Passion of Jesus – dedicating our lives to preaching and witnessing to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, especially in solidarity with those who suffer today.

What Does It Mean to Be a Vowed Passionist?

Being a vowed Passionist means:

  • Living in community with other Passionist priests and brothers.
  • Centering life around prayer, especially through the Cross and Resurrection.
  • Serving in preaching, retreat work, parish ministry, social outreach or missions.
  • Standing in solidarity with the crucified of today—those who suffer from poverty, injustice or hopelessness.
A priest celebrates Mass at the altar while three Passionists in black habits stand in prayer.
Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP, celebrates Mass for Christ the King Community. (l-r): Br. Carl Hund, CP; Fr. Jim Strommer, CP; and Fr. E. John Hilgert, CP.

Vowed Passionists live not only for their own holiness, but for the healing and renewal of the world—drawing strength from the Passion of Jesus as a source of hope.

Priests and Brothers

Both priests and religious brothers can be vowed Passionists. They live the same vows and charism, though their ministries may differ:

Two Passionist priests, one in a black habit and the other in white, smile while standing near a chapel door.
(l-r): Br. Kurt Wernert, CP, and Fr. Chris Gibson, CP, at Sacred Heart Monastery in Louisville, KY.
  • Passionist priests celebrate the sacraments and often serve in preaching, parish work or spiritual direction.
  • Passionist brothers serve in a variety of ministries based on their gifts: teaching, counseling, administration, social outreach or pastoral care.

What unites them is not their title, but their shared commitment to Passionist life and mission.

Are you being called to vowed Passionist life?

Read more about becoming a vowed Passionist