St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross (3 January 1694 – 18 October 1775), was an Italian Catholic mystic, preacher, and founder of the Passionist Congregation. Paul of the Cross was inspired to found the Passionists after a profound spiritual experience during which he saw himself wearing a black habit with a heart adorned with a white cross. This vision led him to establish a religious order focused on meditating on and preaching about Christ’s suffering. The Passionists, known for their distinctive black habit with a white heart and cross, emphasized a life of penance, prayer, and preaching about Christ’s passion and the love of God. His feast day is celebrated on October 19th, and he is venerated as a symbol of profound spiritual devotion and a life dedicated to the contemplation of Christ’s suffering and love.