The Passionists are a Roman Catholic Religious Congregation founded by St. Paul of the Cross in 1741. Paul Francis Danei, at the age of 19, experienced an intense spiritual conversation and a few years later wrote the original Rule of Life for the small group of companions. In 1775 the Rule was approved. St. Paul of the Cross’s purpose in founding the Congregation was to give the world a deeper understanding of the redemptive power of the Passion of Jesus Christ and to give hope and spiritual strength to those who experience human suffering. The Passionist Family consists of Priests, Brothers, Cloistered Nuns, Sisters & Lay Associates.