Time-line of the life of St. Paul of the Cross

3-1-1694
PAOLO DANEI born in Ovada, Alessandria, Italy, of Luca, a small business merchant, and Anna Maria Massari. He was the firstborn of 16 children, only six of whom survived infancy.

6-1 -1694
Baptized and given the name Paolo Francesco Danei Massari.
4-4-1695
Birth of Giovanni Battista Danei, life time companion of Paul and instrumental in the foundation of the Congregation.
1704-1710
Paul lived with his family which had, in the meantime, moved to Castellazzo Bormida.
1713
Time of his "conversion" brought about by a sermon he had heard.
1716
Volunteers for the army in the war against the Turks.
23-4-1719
Received Confirmation at Castellazzo.
1720
The vision by which he discerned his future vocation.
22-11-1720
Paul is vested in the Passionist habit by Mons. Gattinara, Bishop of Alessandria.
22-11-1720 /1-1-1721
He makes forty-day retreat in the church of St. Charles, Castellazzo, during which he writes the "Spiritual Diary" and the first Passionist Rule.
Sept 1721
Paul's first journey to Rome. He is rebuffed at the Quirinal palace (Papal Residence at the time). In the basilica of St. Mary Major, he takes a vow to dedicate himself to promoting the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ.
1722-1725
Paul and John Baptist live in a hermitage, successively at Monte Argentario, Gaeta, and Itri.
1726-1728
The two brothers minister to the sick in the hospital of San Gallicano, Rome. They are ordained priest by Pope Benedict Xlll in the basilica of St. Peter 7-6-1727.
1728-1737
The two brothers move to Mount Argentario. They teach catechism in Orbetello and nearby towns. In 1730 they preach their first parish mission in Talamone. They are joined by other companions who are called to Passionist life.
14-5-1741
Pope Benedict XIV approved the Rule. Paul and his companions profess religious vows on the 11th June as " Passionists".
1747
Paul is elected Superior General, a position he holds for the remainder of his life.
1748-1767
Paul preaches many parish missions and retreats; writes thousands of letters of spiritual direction and founded retreats in Vetralla, Sant'Eutizio, Ceccano, San Sosio, Montecavo, Paliano...
30-8-1765
Fr. John Baptist Danei dies.
1767
Paul is seriously ill in Vetralla.
1770-1771
He is again seriously ill in the hospice of SS.mo Crocifisso in Rome.
May 1771
First foundation of the Passionist Nuns in Tarquinia.
Dec. 1773
Paul takes possession of the retreat of Saints John and Paul in Rome, a concession of Pope Clement XIV.
26-6-1774
Paul is visited by Clement XIV at Saints John and Paul; Pius VI visits him in 1775.
14-9-1775
Pius VI, in the Papal Bull " Praeclara Virtutum Exampla", approves the revision of the Rule.
18-10-1775
Death of Paul in Saints John and Paul, Rome.
7-1-1777
Opening of the process of Canonization.
22-12-1778
First biography of Paul of the Cross written Vincent M. Strambi.
18-2-1821
Proclamation of heroic virtues.
1-5-1853
Beatification of Paul by Pius IX, who will later canonize him on 29-6-1867.
25-4-1880
Transferral of the relics of St. Paul of the Cross to the chapel dedicated to him in the basilica of Saints John and Paul.