About Today for

October 20

Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest

Optional Memorial

“When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified,” (1Cor 2:1-2). [1]

St. Paul of the Cross was born in 1694 in Genoa, Italy to a very devout family. In his mid-twenties, he had a vision to form an order focused on the Passion of Christ. With the Bishop of Alexandria’s blessing, St. Paul of the Cross, while still a layman, drew up the Rule for the Passionists. He became ordained, the Rule was approved, and in 1747, the first general council of the order was held. St. Paul of the Cross was elected superior general, an office he held until his death. The order grew to include 12 houses throughout Italy before 1840, when it began to spread elsewhere. Its member proclaimed the Passion as a true sign of God’s love for humanity. St. Paul of the Cross was canonized in 1867 by Pius IX. [2][3]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Revised Standard Version s.v., ”The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.”
[2] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Paul of the Cross.”
[3] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “Passionists.”
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.