What is a Passionist?
The Passionists were founded as a Catholic Religious Order by St. Paul of the Cross, in 18th Century Italy. Since then, the Passionists have grown into a worldwide family, including various communities who work alongside the Order, themselves dedicated to Passionist principles.
At heart, a Passionist is one who has dedicated themselves to keeping alive the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ: that is, the infinite love of God for each and every one of us, because of which Jesus was willing to undergo arrest, trial, suffering and death, and on the third day to rise again. Passionists commit themselves to spiritual contemplation of the Passion, along with other spiritual practices. You can read more about the core elements of Passionist Spirituality here.
A community life of prayer and contemplation also leads to practical solidarity and compassion. So Passionists express their faith through various social justice ministries, in imitation of Jesus.
As St. Paul of the Cross saw “the name of Jesus.. written on the forehead of the poor,” Passionists in England and Wales see the crucified God in the crucified people of this age, and the crucified Earth.
‘Crucified God, Crucified People, Crucified Earth’
Christ sought out those on the edges: the marginalised, the poor, the powerless. He lived and acted in solidarity with his suffering sisters and brothers.
Passionists seek to imitate Christ, the crucified God, by living and acting in solidarity with suffering humanity and the suffering Earth.
Passionists in England and Wales see the crucified God in the crucified people of this age, and the crucified Earth. Read more about what this means.
Our Communities
Communities across England and Wales are living out the Passionist vocation - to keep alive the memory of the Passion - in different ways.
Find out more about the varied communities that have grown within the UK Passionist family.
The Congregation of the Passion
The Congregation of the Passion is a Religious Order of men in the Catholic Church. In England and Wales, the Order forms the core of our Passionist communities.
Explainers
Short articles on some key Passionist ideas and principles.
The Life of St Paul of the Cross
Who was Paul Francis Danei, and how did he become the founder of the Passionists?
Our latest public statement on our evolving Passionist life.
Who was Dominic Barberi, and how did he come to found the Passionists movement in England?
Who was Father Ignatius Spencer, and why is he important to the Passionist movement in England?