PASSIONISTS, a congregation of men of the Roman Cath olic Church comprising priests, seminarists and lay auxiliaries. Its official title is The Congregation of the Discalced Clerks of the most Holy Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was founded by St. Paul of the Cross whose name was Paul Francis Daneo. He was born at Ovado, Italy, Jan. 3, 1694; died at Rome, Oct. 18, 1775; and was canonized, June 29, 1867. The Passionists were established at Castelazzo, Italy, 1720.
The Passionist congregation endeavours to unite the active and the contemplative forms of the religious life. Passionists take the three customary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to which a fourth is added, that of promoting in the hearts of the faithful a devotion to the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. The vows made are simple, not solemn, and are perpetual from their final profession. Their houses are not endowed. althouth
they are allowed to possess in common, buildings with a few acres of land attached.
During the lifetime of St. Paul of the Cross 12 houses of his institute were established in Italy and this number was greatly augmented during the ensuing years until 181o, when, by the order of Napoleon, they were suppressed together with all other religious institutions. From the time of the restoration of the congregation under Pius VII., the institute has spread throughout the world. At present houses of the congregation are found in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Poland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Argentine, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Australia, China, Rumania and Bulgaria.
See Father Pius, The Life of St. Paul of the Cross (Dublin, i868) Felix Ward, The Passionists (Benziger, New York, 1923).