Saint Paul of the Cross, born Paolo Francesco Danei on January 3, 1694, in Ovada, Republic of Genoa (modern-day Italy), embarked on a life profoundly marked by divine grace and an unyielding devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. From an early age, Paolo exhibited a deep spiritual inclination, nurtured by his devout parents, Luca and Anna Maria Danei, who instilled in him a solid Catholic formation. His youth was not without its struggles; his family, though noble, faced financial difficulties, leading them to move frequently. Despite these challenges, Paolo’s inner life blossomed. He spent countless hours in prayer, demonstrating a remarkable sensitivity to the sufferings of Christ, a theme that would become the cornerstone of his entire ministry. He initially considered a military career, even joining a crusade against the Turks, but a series of profound spiritual experiences, including visions, convinced him that God was calling him to a different path: one of radical poverty and dedication to spreading devotion to the Crucified Lord. These early mystical encounters solidified his resolve to commit himself entirely to God's will, setting the stage for his unique contribution to the Church.

The pivotal moment in Saint Paul's life occurred in 1720, when he experienced a vision of himself clothed in a black habit bearing a white cross with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the names of Jesus and Mary. This vision, along with an interior locution, revealed to him God's desire for a new religious congregation dedicated to promoting the memory of Christ's Passion. Inspired by this divine call, he spent a period of intense solitude and penance, living as a hermit, during which he wrote the Rule of his future congregation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This Rule emphasized a life of austerity, prayer, and evangelization, centered on the Passion of Jesus. In 1725, Pope Benedict XIII granted him permission to gather companions and begin his work. Two years later, on June 7, 1727, Paul and his brother, John Baptist, were ordained priests by the same Pope. This ordination marked the formal beginning of the Congregation of the Passion, though it would take several more years for the community to be officially established and recognized.

The charism of the Passionists, as envisioned by Saint Paul of the Cross, was unique and deeply spiritual: to keep alive the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ as the greatest work of divine love and to make it known to all. He believed that contemplating Christ's suffering was the most powerful means of conversion and spiritual renewal. This devotion was not merely sentimental but deeply theological, recognizing the Passion as the revelation of God's infinite love for humanity and the source of all salvation. Paul himself lived this charism intensely, often spending hours in contemplation, experiencing profound ecstasies, and enduring severe physical penances. His spirituality was marked by a deep sense of humility, detachment from worldly goods, and an unwavering trust in divine providence. He taught his followers to preach the Passion not just with words, but with their very lives, embracing a penitential lifestyle that mirrored Christ's suffering.

Saint Paul of the Cross and his early companions dedicated themselves tirelessly to missionary work, particularly among the poor and neglected in central Italy. They traveled extensively, often on foot and in great poverty, preaching popular missions and spiritual retreats. His sermons were powerful and moving, delivered with a burning zeal that captivated audiences. He had a remarkable ability to touch hearts and bring about profound conversions, drawing people back to the sacraments and a deeper relationship with God. He emphasized the importance of repentance, prayer, and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Virgin Mary, always linking these practices to the redemptive power of Christ's Passion. His pastoral approach was marked by compassion and an understanding of human weakness, combined with an insistence on genuine conversion and a life lived in conformity with Christ. Through these missions, the Passionists became known as fervent preachers of the Cross, bringing spiritual renewal to many communities.

The Congregation of the Passion grew steadily under Saint Paul's leadership, despite numerous challenges and initial resistance from some ecclesiastical authorities. He established monasteries (known as "retreats") where his religious could live a contemplative and penitential life, preparing for their missionary endeavors. These retreats were typically built in solitary places, conducive to prayer and recollection, reflecting the hermitical spirit of the founder. He also founded the Passionist Nuns (officially known as the Sisters of the Cross and Passion) in 1771, a contemplative branch dedicated to prayer and sacrifice for the missions of the Congregation and the salvation of souls, further cementing the spiritual legacy of the Passion. By the time of his death, the Passionists had expanded significantly, with houses established across Italy, and their unique charism was beginning to take root in the Church.

Saint Paul of the Cross died on October 18, 1775, at the age of 81, in the Retreat of Saints John and Paul in Rome, the very house where he had spent many years of his life. His final words were an exhortation to his spiritual sons to live in profound love for the Passion of Jesus. He was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1853 and canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867, a testament to his heroic virtues and the enduring impact of his life and work. His feast day is celebrated on October 20. Saint Paul of the Cross is remembered as a profound mystic, a zealous missionary, and a founder whose life was a living testament to the power of the Cross. His legacy continues to inspire countless faithful to contemplate the infinite love of God revealed in the Passion of Christ, making him a perennial beacon of holiness and a vital figure in the Church's rich spiritual patrimony.

In the year 1720, Paolo Francesco Danei, the young man who would become Saint Paul of the Cross, was already deeply consumed by a fervent love for God and a profound desire to serve Him. He had spent a period of intense solitude and penance, seeking God's will for his life, often living as a hermit in a small room or a remote cave. One day, while in a state of deep prayer and contemplation, a vision unfolded before his spiritual eyes that would forever alter the course of his destiny and, indeed, the history of the Church. He saw himself clothed in a simple, coarse black tunic, upon which was emblazoned a large white cross, bearing the sacred names of Jesus and Mary. This was not merely an image, but an interior revelation, accompanied by a clear understanding of its meaning and purpose. He felt a divine mandate to establish a new religious congregation, one whose very life and mission would be centered on keeping alive the memory of the most holy Passion of Jesus Christ. The black habit was to symbolize mourning for the sufferings of Christ, and the white cross, the purity and victory of His sacrifice. This singular vision, coupled with an interior locution from God, clarified his vocation with undeniable certainty. It was a call to a radical life of poverty, penance, and evangelization, all rooted in the profound contemplation of Christ's redemptive suffering. From that moment, Paul knew his path was to gather companions who would share this burning zeal for the Passion, dedicating their lives to preaching its saving power to a world in need of conversion and divine love. This mystical experience was the seed from which the great tree of the Passionist Congregation would grow, a testament to his deep spiritual receptivity and his unwavering obedience to the divine summons.