Saint Who?
Saints Who Performed Great Miracles
Saint Paul of the Cross
Priest and founder († 1775)Feast: October 20
“The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus, which are the miracle of miracles of the Love of God.” Paul Francis Danei’s parents ran a small business which required them to move frequently. Paul had little opportunity for formal schooling, but his mother frequently read to her children from the lives of hermits. And she taught little Paul to unite his sufferings with the cross of Christ.
At twenty-five, he received a vision of Christ’s scourge. On each cord of the whip was written the word “Love.” Together with his brother, Paul founded the Passionist order, dedicated to promoting devotion to the Passion. He practiced abundant penance and preached mission after mission throughout Italy. Many miracles accompanied his work. His guardian angel frequently assisted him. Sometimes, as he confided to a friend, the angel preached in his place when Paul was too unwell to speak. Crucifix in hand, Paul stopped storms and prevented shipwreck, all for the sake of reaching souls.
“Christ Crucified is a work of love,” he said, “the most stupendous work of the love of God. The bottomless sea of the love of God, where virtues are found, where one can lose oneself in love and sorrow.” Paul died at the age of eighty-one and was canonized less than a century later.
Merciful Jesus, may devotion to your Passion
help us to brave every danger for the salvation
of souls and your greater glory.
