St. Paul of the Cross
Feast day: October 20
Born in 1694 at Ovada in Italy, Paolo Francesco Danell was the eldest son in a poor but noble family. He lived austerely even as a teen. After a year in the Venetian army, Paul returned to a life of prayer and penance. In 1720, he had a vision that inspired him to establish a religious order dedicated to the Passion of Christ. With his bishop’s approval, he founded the Discalced Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Passionists). Paul led the order until his death in 1775. He was canonized in 1867.
Collect
May the Priest Saint Paul,
whose only love was the Cross,
obtain for us your grace, O Lord,
so that, urged on more strongly by his example,
we may each embrace our own cross with courage.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
