{"id":12747,"date":"2026-04-21T15:22:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/passionist.org\/?p=12747"},"modified":"2026-04-21T15:31:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T20:31:44","slug":"michael-nasello-is-called-to-expand-his-world-and-share-his-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/passionist.org\/es\/2026\/04\/21\/michael-nasello-is-called-to-expand-his-world-and-share-his-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Nasello is Called to Expand his World and Share his Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Michael Nasello<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the Director of the Passionist Solidarity Network (PSN), Michael Nasello, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, brings together the work of the two provinces based in the United States \u2013 Holy Cross Province and St. Paul of the Cross Province. His service as co-chair of the Passionist Migration Commission has deepened his awareness of the needs of people from many different cultures, as well as his participation in Holy Cross Province\u2019s Laudato Si\u2019 and Cultural and Racial Diversity committees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am a white, privileged male. I have a university education. I have come to understand how important it is to acknowledge this: that my cultural identity calls me to do something with what I have been given,\u201d Michael explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an example, in his own culture, the approach to suffering is commonly \u201cavoidance,\u201d but through eyes of faith, Michael believes this can be tempered with an understanding of the Cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe crucifixion is about the intentional causes of suffering. For those experiencing the natural suffering that comes with life, focusing on the Cross can bring a kind of comfort. The Cross shows me there is a light at the end of the tunnel,\u201d says Michael. \u201cThe unnatural or imposed suffering of crucifixion confronts us with injustice and makes us look it in the eye. It gives us the courage to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Michael during a mission trip to Peru in 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI look at the world and think, \u2018Can I embrace the suffering I see with the same commitment I bring to my own family?\u2019\u201d shares Michael. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am reminded of Jesus\u2019 challenge when he asks, \u2018Who are your mother and brothers and sisters?\u2019 The Passionist message pushes us to see our connections. We are part of a universal world. There is a tension that calls us to look at the persons next to us and see them as fellow human beings, to accord them the warmth and openness of family. I realize how challenging it is to open my definition of family to include people I do not know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family is an important part of Michael\u2019s life, and the Passionist charism challenges the culture to consider family as more than just blood relatives. One example is that caring for the elderly requires a lot of navigation, whether it is within immediate family or beyond family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe culture of the 21st century in North America asks, \u2018Where can you get the best care for the person who is aging?\u2019\u201d explains Michael. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe Passionist spirituality of presence is a real call to listen to the stories of others and accompany them on a difficult journey at this stage in their lives.”<\/p>\nMichael Nasello<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“I am moved by the Passionists\u2019 care for the vowed members to maintain their dignity. This is a common local issue. Then there are the global issues that seem daunting. When you consider there are 123 million displaced persons around the world, the only hope for these people, who are often in desperate situations, is if we can see them as our own sisters and brothers. We have to care enough to pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Michael with his wife, Karen, in Italy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Michael is also encouraged by the young adults he meets who are moving beyond the norm of individualism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost students are captivated by the call to make a difference. They will jump in and do a food drive, or they will make a trip to distribute winter clothing,\u201d he shares. \u201cIt is so important that we give them that experience. Even in our public schools, they have also started to embrace community service and being engaged with others. That is a good sign. Young professionals also have more of a sense of duty to give to others. The Passionist charism calls people to be moved, to stand with and to act.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Passionist charism is a foundation in Michael\u2019s life, and there are definitely places where it challenges cultural norms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe Passionist charism challenges us to move past those limiting ways of how we see each other.” <\/p>\nMichael Nasello<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“We need to have our eyes open,\u201d he explains. \u201cThe Cross should move us. I should look at the Cross and be changed. The life-giving message is, \u2018I can do better. We can do better.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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