Become a Vowed Passionist

You don’t have to have all the answers –
just the courage to ask the question.

Three smiling Passionist priests — (l-r) Fr. Vimal Backiyaraj, CP, Fr. Welfen Xavier, CP and Fr. Phillip Donlan, CP

Perhaps you have felt a quiet stirring in your heart, a longing to live with greater purpose, to serve others more deeply or to grow in your relationship with Christ. Maybe you have found yourself drawn to prayer, the mystery of the Cross or walking alongside those who suffer.

If you have felt something like that, God may be calling you. Not to a life of comfort, but to a life of deep love and profound meaning.

If you’re feeling that gentle nudge, we are here to walk with you in discernment, with open hearts and listening ears.

You don’t have to have all the answers – just the courage to ask the question.

Let’s seek answers together.

How can I become a Passionist priest or brother?

We welcome all those who feel drawn to the Passionist way of life to join us in a variety of ways, but for those exploring a commitment to vowed life, here are some of the basic requirements for becoming a Passionist priest or brother with Holy Cross Province:

Be a male between the ages of 18-40. Women can explore a vocation through the Passionist Nuns and Sisters.
Have a college degree (or willingness to complete one). Some theological study is required and formation includes philosophy and theology courses.
Live in the United States or Canada. The formation process requires close, personal guidance for discernment. We, Holy Cross Province, serve in the United States, west of the Appalachian Mountains.

If you live outside this area and are looking to discern a vocation to vowed Passionist life, we encourage you to find the province closest to you, such as our brothers in the Eastern United States, St. Paul of the Cross Province, the Passionists of the Holy Spirit Province (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam), or any of the provinces and vice-provinces around the world.
Be willing to make a commitment to celibacy and simplicity. Like all religious priests, Passionists take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Be in good physical, emotional and spiritual health. We support each other as brothers, but it’s important that candidates are generally stable and mature, with a healthy approach to relationships and responsibilities.
Have an openness to formation. This includes time as a postulant, novice and then temporary vows before final profession and ordination. The process allows time to grow in faith, live in community and truly discern the call.
Feel called to a life centered on the Passion of Jesus and a heart open to the suffering of others. The call to Catholic priesthood or brotherhood can take many paths, including diocesan priesthood or joining one of the hundreds of Catholic religious orders.

But if the love of Christ through His Passion, the mystery of the Cross and walking alongside those who suffer in a balanced life of prayer, community, missionary outreach and service appeals to you, you may wish to explore the path to Passionist vowed life.