
of the Cross
Discerning that the sins of humanity were the result of the forgetfulness of God’s love manifested in Jesus crucified, he preached that the Passion of Jesus “the largest and most beautiful work of divine love … the miracle of miracles of God … a sea of love and sorrow, is the most effective remedy.”

Despite having an episode of mystical marriage in his youth, Paul experienced heartbreaking spiritual dryness for about fifty years. He lived through many difficult trials that resulted in him being called “the prince of the destitute“.
He realized perfectly his desire to “be crucified with Jesus”. And he, the Mystic of the crucified, became the one who was mystically crucified.
In 1771, after much suffering, Paul joyfully received news of the inauguration of the first Passionist monastery for cloistered nuns in the city of Tarquinia (Viterbo, Italy).

Paul was distinguished by an extraordinary love poverty, solitude and penance. He was a revered Superior General of the Institute until the end of his life. He was greatly loved by various Popes.

For purposes of spiritual direction and the government of the Congregation he wrote more than 50 thousand letters, only a minimal number of which still exist.
He died in Rome on October 18, 1775. He was declared a Saint on June 29, 1867.
