Alleluia, alleluia!

“Alleluia is not a word that was invited on earth; it is a hymn of paradise”

St. Paul of the Cross, 21st April 1726

Black Scapular of the Passion

The Black Scapular of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is distinguished from other Scapulars in this way: It is made of black cloth, having on the front the figure of a Heart surmounted by a White Cross. In the centre of the Heart are the letters: JESU .. XPI .. PASSIO .. meaning: “The Passion of Jesus Christ.” Beneath these letters are three nails. They represent the nails that pierced the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

On the second half of the Scapular is a picture of Jesus on the Cross. On the two halves of the Scapular, in each corner, appear a Chalice, a Veil with Christ’s Face imprinted on it, a Crown of Thorns, and a stone Column to which Christ was bound and beaten with whips. On the lower part of each half of the Scapular there appears this Latin sentence: “Sit Semper in Cordibus Nostris.” This means: “May it [Christ’s Passion] be always in our hearts.”

The Scapular represents, in a small size, the habit in which St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists, saw himself clothed during a vision. This vision was bestowed upon him during the time he was cherishing the design of founding a new Congregation, to be devoted in a special manner to the sufferings and death of Jesus.

Pope Francis on prayer …

“Prayer is not about lips that move, but a heart that listens …”

At the name of Jesus …

Since the time of St. Paul of the Cross when Passionists gather for prayer they begin with the invocation “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father“.

St. Paul of the Cross taught that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend (Philippians 2:10). Veneration of the Name of Jesus flourished through the teaching of the Franciscan St. Bernardine of Siena (+1444). The 1721 the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was mandated for the universal Church and was restored by Pope John Paul II.

During the month of April

2nd April 1722 – St. Paul of the Cross and his brother, Ven. John Baptist, arrive at Monte Argentario

4th April 1694 – Birth of Ven. John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel, brother of St. Paul of the Cross

12th April 1727 – St. Paul of the Cross and Ven. John Baptist receive subdiaconate at St. John Latern Basilica in Rome

16th April 1755 – Father Fulgentius Pastorelli died in the Grazi House in Orbetello and is buried on Monte Argentario. He is one of the first Passionists and a faithful friend of St. Paul of the Cross

17th April 1695 – Baptismal Day of Ven. John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel

18th April 1746 – Approval of the Passionist Rule by Pope Benedict XIV

23rd April 1719 – Confirmation Day of St. Paul of the Cross and his brother, Ven. John Baptist of St. Michael the Archangel in Castellazzo by Bishop Gattinara