St. Paul of the Cross

Patron Saint of Hungary

Born in northern Italy in the late seventeenth century, St. Paul of the Cross developed a devotion to Christ’s passion as a demonstration of God’s love for all people. He founded the Congregation of the Passion (Passionists) in 1720. In addition to the usual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Congregation of the Passion includes a fourth vow to spread throughout the Church the memory of Christ’s suffering before his crucifixion. Many of St. Paul of the Cross’ letters survive today, revealing the founding spirituality of the Passionists. In most of the world his feast is celebrated on October 19, but in the United States his feast is moved to October 20 so both his feast and the Feast of the North American Martyrs can be celebrated.