Paolo Danei, founder of the Passionist Congregation, was born in northern Italy in the 17th century into a family that struggled to meet their daily needs. The second of 16 children, Paolo was one of only 6 who survived infancy.

At the age of 19 Paolo read Francis de Sales’ Treatise on the Love of God, which had a profound impact on him. This book, coupled with the instruction he received from Capuchin priests, caused him to undergo a deep conversion. He became convinced that God was most easily found in the passion of the Lord.

Despite the offer of a promising arranged marriage and a sizable inheritance, Paolo refused both in order to keep his life focused on the Lord. Through prayer, Paolo came to understand that he was called to start a religious order.

With the support of his bishop, Paolo attended a 40-day retreat in 1720 during which he drafted a rule for his religious community. Members of the order (which was initially called “The Poor of Jesus”) would lead a penitential life and encourage others to trust in God’s love manifested through Christ’s passion. He relocated to Rome in order to await approval for his new order, and ended up helping to establish a new hospital there. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1727 in St. Peter’s Basilica, and thereafter became a traveling preacher. He was a gifted preacher and was known for moving criminals, and even soldiers hardened by war, to tears when speaking to them of God’s love.

The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ was formally approved in 1741. Today, the Passionists serve in 61 countries, continuing Paolo’s mission of spreading the love of Jesus Christ crucified.