October 20 is the Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross. Born in Italy in 1694, Paul founded the Congregation of the Passion, an order of priests and brothers known as the Passionists. Today the Congregation also includes lay people.
In the window we see Paul writing the Rule for his Congregation. He had a deep
love for Jesus in His Crucifixion. During a time of prayer he received the Passionist Sign, the white cross rising from a heart bearing the words, “The Passion of Jesus Christ” in a combination of Latin and Greek. Three nails on the heart remind us of the immense love that Christ has for us in his suffering, death and Resurrection.
Before him, is a heart bearing a cross, reminding us that Paul always bore a deep love for the crucified Lord in his heart and it influenced all that he did. Behind him is the Passionist Sign, and a crucifix. The priests and brothers of the order always had a crucifix with them as they traveled and shared the Gospel message and they wear the Sign on their habit.
The Passionist charism is to accompany those who carry crosses in their lives, particularly those whose crosses are heavy. They walk with people, knowing that they cannot take the cross away, but offering prayer, encouragement, support, and when possible, physical help.
The Passionists founded St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish in Baltimore in 1868, when the country was still reeling from the effects of the Civil War. This must have been a difficult time to begin a ministry in America, but also a time when they had the opportunity to walk with people suffering from the divisions that caused the war and the brutal loss of life.
In the world today people still carry heavy crosses with all the accompanying pain and darkness: in places where there is armed conflict; where people are persecuted for their faith; where they are executed for expressing their opinions; where there is lack of food or medicine; where there is human trafficking; where neighborhoods are not safe. Passionists still minister, in such places. May St. Paul of the Cross teach us to recognize those around us whose crosses are heavy and teach us to walk with them, bringing some light and hope in the Resurrection into their lives.
Reference: The Passionists of Holy Cross Province. (2026). Identity. https://passionist.org/about/passionists/