Paul of the Cross

Paul of the Cross is a Mystique and a preacher of the Passion of Christ. He is also the founder of the congregation Passioniste.

Biography

January 3rd, 1694: Paul François Danei is born with Ovada. He is the son of Luchino, trading, and of Anna Maria Massari; and the elder one of a family of 16 children, of which only six will survive after childhood.
1695: birth of Jean-Baptiste Danei, second child and companion during all the life of Paul of the cross.
1701: the family transfers itself to Castellazzo Bormida.
Be 1713: it is the “conversion” of Paul. He receives a great illumination and decides to dedicate himself completely to God.
November 22nd, 1720: Paul is covered dress of penitence of the Ermite S, by Mgr. Gattinara, its bishop. He then begins a 40 days retirement in a part located in the church of St Charles (Castellazzo Bormida). There it writes the Rule of its future congregation, like its “spiritual Newspaper”, jewel of its spirituality.
October 28th, 1721: his/her Jean-Baptiste brother is covered same dress that Paul and engages with him in the consecrated life.
May 21st, 1725: in the church of Navicella, Paul receives the permission orally to bring together companions of the pope Benoît XIII.
June 7th, 1727: both are ordered priests by the pope in the basilica St Pierre.
March 1728: return to the Assembles Argentario (opposite Orbetello), where they live in a poor hermitage dedicated to St Antoine. Gradually a religious community constitutes itself; in 1730, it brings together 7 people.
1730: parochial mission of Paul and Jean-Baptiste with Talamone. Construction project of a Retirement, dedicated to the Presentation of Marie to the Temple, on Argentario.
September 14th, 1737: inauguration of the first Retirement (Retirement passionist) of the congregation of the Passioniste S.
May 13rd, 1741: the pope Benoît XIV approves the Rule (monastic Règle) of the new congregation, but not yet the congregation itself.
March 1744: opening of the Retirements of Vetralla and Soriano (St Eutizio). Paul settles in Vetralla.
April 18th, 1746: approval of the congregation, as such, by a pontifical “Brief”.
1748-1750: coalition of several kinds beggars against the congregation passionist. A lawsuit is opened in Rome. Victoire of the passionists.
1758-1760: ultimate attempt for obtaining the solemn wishes.
August 30th, 1765: died of Jean-Cambric with Vetralla. Paul will assist it.
November 1766 - May 1767: visit with the Retirements of the south of Rome. It is for Paul a popular triumph.
1770: March 29th - May 9th: last voyage in Tarquinia and Argentario. Paul visits the monastery intended for his moniales. September 30th: rescrit of approval of the Rules of the moniales.
May 3rd, 1771: Clément XIV authorizes the opening of the first monastery of the Moniales passionists with Tarquinia. Marie Crucifiée Costantini and 10 young women makes their religious profession there. Paul will not be able to take part in the inauguration.
October 18th, 1775: died in Rome of Paul of the cross, the 81 years age.
June 29th, 1867: canonization by Magpie IX.

Spiritual doctrines

The doctrines of Paul of the cross result from an personal experience lit by authors also experienced in the field of the interior life. It begins its life of hermit with a very great knowledge of St François Dirty and of the 2 large doctors of Carmel: Jean of the Cross and Therese d' Avila. At 50 years, at the top of its spiritual and apostolic maturity, he discovers the writings of Jean Tauler. Its mystic of Passion and the Kénose is thorough.

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