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LIFE OF PRAYER
I. ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS: APOSTLE OF PRAYER
To write or speak of the great mystic saint, Paul of the Cross,
is like attempting to climb Mount Everest! I feel humbled even
in the desire and attempt to share with you some thoughts
because Paul is so rich in theological and mystical depth, and
one of the truly outstanding saints. Yet I take comfort in that
Paul was always assessable to all people of every state and
station of life. He was a gentle, humble man–much loved in 18th
century Rome even as Mother Teresa of Calcutta was loved,
honored and well known in our recent times.
This man, both as a layman and later as an ordained priest and
vowed Religious, was intensely enmeshed in prayer. Like Sts.
John of the Cross, Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila, and
other greats, he was mystically married to Christ; like St.
Clare of Montefalco, he was impressed with the very instruments
of the Passion on his physical heart–and experienced like St.
Philip Neri, the mysterious cardiac tremors of love for God.
Paul taught an absolute emphasis on prayer as the
foundation of any soul that contemplates Jesus on Calvary and
draws from His saving Cross. Paul of the Cross is an
indefatigable Apostle of Prayer! As the Passion of Jesus knows
no bounds–so Paul was not restricted to his own Congregation in
spreading the marvels of Crucified Love; he directed his own and
many hundreds of people from all walks of life and varied
communities.
JESUS' PASSION:
We all know the central role of Jesus' redeeming love on the
Cross. For Paul, it is everything! It is the book of life. We
find the Wisdom of God and the immensity of God’s love and mercy
in the Wounds of Jesus. It opens the doors to heaven. It bridges
us to God, self and others. Jesus’ love story with us bursts
forth and blossoms on the Cross and gives us life forever.
The Passion-Blood of Jesus is the doorway to prayer. Jesus’
Wounds are windows to God’s Ways. Risen life is the unfading
flower of the Passion fruit.
SOLITUDE:
For Paul, the mystery and call of the PASSION OF JESUS
penetrates us as we enter prayerful solitude. Paul’s call to
us is to enter a healthy solitude, a “time out” experience, time
with God–away from our busy duties, even time in retreat from
our legitimate loves and desires--just time with quiet solitude
in God. We know that Jesus is our greatest teacher of this
movement away from the fray into the quiet of vigil prayer; we
recall the Lord's many habitual times away on mountaintop,
garden enclosure, or dessert place. Jesus comes down the
mountain to serve and heal--but only out of the Source of Love
He finds in prayer in union with His Father. Paul of the
Cross crystallizes these twin movements of Jesus in his Rule and
spirituality.
Practically speaking, Paul recommends at least 20-30 minutes
time of daily retreat for the laity —of solitude in prayer. Of
course Paul prayed amazingly long periods/hours--like our Lord.
He encouraged all to increase their own periods of prayer as
one’s state of life and duties permit. A “sacred space “is to
be sought out,—a quiet place to enter prayer. If you are on the
road, or busy elsewhere with commitments, you can learn, as Paul
did, to still find a private space, and a take some sacred time
out—in God.
 Paul
usually advises starting prayer by kissing a holy object--a
Cross or the Crucifix on your rosary, or to gaze on some holy
image; this is followed by reading a few words on the Passion,
any appropriate Scriptural text, or a spiritual book of worth.
We then gently, easily converse from our heart with God. We
eventually let go of images and lie still in “naked love,”
surrendering into a composed embrace, resting in “The
Bosom of the Father”–favorite expressions for Paul. He
warns about being too rigid with the same form, but rather to be
open to the inevitable change that comes with human life, while
steadfastly being faithful to prayer itself–allowing the
Most Holy Spirit to move us and direct us, or re-direct us.
The Holy Spirit’s action in us and with our co-operation is very
important to Paul—and essential to prayer!
Paul named his monasteries “retreats” and the first Holy Rule
called for rooms to be set aside for lay persons or secular
priests to “come aside and rest” with Jesus Crucified–to share
the life and spirit of the Passionist “monks.” In a way, Paul
is very much like John the Baptist--whom he had great devotion
to, who finds a desert place to pray and do penance, to purify
oneself, prepare oneself, ready oneself both to hear God’s Voice
and to share God’s Love with others—calling people to
conversion, repentance, new life!. Like Jesus, and John
the Baptist, Paul cannot be about the “mission” without first
drawing from the Source of Grace in solitude and prayer.
Neither can we!
We cannot give to others if we don’t take time to be nourished
in silence and holy embrace. For Paul, solitude is the
entryway to the depths of God’s Love. Paul sees God’s love
as an ocean of mercy and love, a bottomless sea of love.
Silence and solitude allow us to immerse ourselves in this ocean
like fish in the sea—thus able to begin to perceive some
of God’s unfathomable but ever present love for us.
Paul writes to a laywoman, “Maintain a loving attention to
God, from which is born that sacred
silence of love which is a great way of speaking
to the ears of the Divine Spouse, Allow yourself to be
raised to the contemplation of Divine Perfections
. . . Let your soul repose in a loving
marvel –the Infinite Being!”
 We
can see from this “love language” that Paul is intimately
involved with a relationship with God, a loving
stance before a God Who loves him. Paul leads us simply, yet
profoundly, in prayer. He never harnesses us with complicated
methods. His approach is similar to a developing relationship
in spousal love. When someone is in love, he or she takes
time to be with the loved one; a conversation flows between the
two lovers–easily, honestly. At some point, words are not
needed, but a loving gaze says it all, nourishes the two who
freely exchange their glances and silent thoughts. A desire for
union and embrace builds upon the former. A fusion is ultimately
found between the two. So it is, but more perfectly and purely,
with our souls and God.
Jesus said “Pray always!” Paul of the Cross' whole life
was an offering of his every action and breath in union with the
offering of Jesus' Passion! We can easily do this by offering
up our entire day in prayer by giving all we are and do to and
with the pierced Heart of Jesus, united to the offering of His
Passion being renewed in every Mass. In that way, all day long
becomes a prayer.
Paul recommends keeping Christ in our daily activity and mind
throughout the day with frequent turning of our thoughts to
God and the Passion—but not with any type of forcing or
obsessive-compulsive behavior. It is simply a matter of a spouse
or lover, or best friend turning in reflection of the loved one
with a desire for union, a sigh of love. He often used
“aspirations of the heart” to fan the fire of his devotion or
purify his intentions: “My God, I love you!; A God, crucified
for me!; Oh Jesus, how long? When will I love you more? “—and
other like sentiments. Sometimes, in my exhaustion at night or
in the car driving, I may use my rosary and on each bead offer
up a sigh, or aspiration or prayer from my heart, or from the
Gospel.
Healthy humility is so important to Paul’s spirituality; in
humility, we bow before God as Creator, we come to know
ourselves better in His Light; because humility is truth, we see
things in real perspective. We are saddened by our sins that
appear to cause a great gap between us and the Light and Purity
of God, but we are also plunged into awesome wonder that we are
loved –even unto death, death on a Cross! Unworthy we are,
yes–but paradoxically we are made worthy and elevated in
Christ’s Most Precious Blood! Our Spouse, Jesus clothes us in
nobility and spousal love: Paul writes
“The Divine Spouse embraces you only in the sacred interior
desert . . .
Remain in your true nothingness and allow this nothing to
disappear in the Infinite All that is God…..I beg you to be
faithful in remaining solitary in the inner temple of your soul.
There you will have time to medicate your wounds with the
precious balm of the Blood coming from the Divine Wounds of the
Immaculate Lamb of God.”
Poverty of spirit
must accompany Paulacrucian prayer!
In a spirit of detachment from sin and selfishness, and
all that keeps us from God’s Ways and union with the Lord, we
are better disposed to hear the Spirit, to let go and let God.
Prayer in the Passion directs us to empty ourselves as the
Eternal Word did on our behalf—it frees us even as the nakedness
of the Cross frees us. We come forth from prayer armored,
strengthened, enlightened. It helps us say to the Father: THY
WILL BE DONE! Prayer with poverty of spirit re-focuses our
hearts on what is really important in life versus the attraction
and pull of greed, lust and possessions. We love things and
persons in perspective, in God’s Love—the God Who “loved us
FIRST”! Poverty of spirit prepares us to enter the winter of
prayer when all consolation is removed. Our Founder suffered
the dark night of the soul for over 40 years. Only absorbing
Christ’s emptying love can keep us steadfast in the dark, and
trusting. Our prayer in poverty of spirit—as well as all kinds
of poverty (sickness as well) must be that of a trusting child
holding a loving parent’s hand in the dark walk of a wintry
night without stars. Paul urges us to pray in all the seasons of
life—perseveringly!
All this presupposes a penitential
life—certain external
practices that discipline the whole person—mind, body and
spirit--for the sake of God’s Love. Without spiritual
discipline, we will not have the WILL to say YES when the clouds
are covering the sun, or when we are tried in fire, purified in
and for God’s loving design and purpose. Like an athlete that
endures difficult deprivations to hone his/her skills, and to
win a prize of gold, we as spiritual people, endure trials to
better ourselves and become stronger, glorified in Jesus—for
increased spiritual skills and holiness-wholeness and an
unfading crown, the Love of Christ! Prayer is essential in this
process! With penance, prayer assists us to enter daily
CONVERSION—a daily TURNING toward the LORD!
DYING WITH JESUS
Paul of the Cross’ prayer life is a
passage to Mount
Calvary. If we are real Passionists,
we have to expect Jesus to lead us to the Cross with Him. We
know Jesus’ Heart was pierced by a lance. He shed His last drop
of Blood—total love!!! The membrane that surrounds the heart is
the heart’s last protection—a membrane, a sac called the
pericardium. The soldier’s lance passed through this last
defense, this membrane, filled with watery liquid. Thus, water
poured out with Christ’s saving Blood—water that signified the
life that accompanied the saving death of Jesus.
This is all foolishness for those without faith in the Cross. It
is God’s Wisdom for those who believe.
Like Jesus, our pericardium will
be pierced and the heart will be next!
We will spiritually or physically bleed, suffer, hurt. As
spiritual men and women of Passionist prayer, we will give life
to others—as Jesus’ death did. Our prayers and actions must send
out living streams of life and healing on an agonizing, hurting
world, a world of darkness. We become finite channels of life
in our own passion and dying —united to Jesus Crucified.
Prayer helps me to die to whatever is
destructive and loveless. In effect, I rise and am born to a new
way of thinking and living. I live more fully than before, truly
alive in Christ.
HOLY EUCHARIST
Paul’s prayer, and his daily
living and dying in Jesus Crucified is bound to the Holy
Eucharist! The Passion and
Death of Jesus, His saving Sacrifice, is renewed and
re-presented in every Mass. The Presence of Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament is the very Lamb Who was slain. Paul is always
exhorting others to adore the Blessed Sacrament, to make
frequent visits, to bask in Its Divine rays of love, to be
nourished by Jesus’ Presence and to receive Him in Communion as
often as possible. The Eucharist, prayer and the Passion are
inseparable on our journey.
MARIAN UNION
One cannot fully
appreciate Paulacrucian prayer until one walks to Calvary and to
the Easter mystery with Mary at our side. For Paul, Mary was
“the Lady Abbess” of his retreats and that of his first nuns.
Her sorrows were to be always in our hearts–along with the death
and Passion of Jesus. Mary is the feminine touchstone of
Passionist life, spirituality and prayer; she keeps us
sensitive, caring, attentive, open, and models for us in
dying with and giving birth to Jesus in our prayer, thoughts and
actions.
PRAYING
IN THE CHURCH 
To really study Paul is to find a
true son of the Church and the Holy Father. Paul received the
gift as a Founder of a new Congregation within the Tradition of
the Church; one cannot really pray in Paul’s spirit without a
like understanding of the great unbroken Tradition that has
proclaimed the message of the Passion of Jesus since the time of
the Apostles. Paul prays with and in the Church. He also
prays for all people of the world, of all faiths. On his death
bed, he begged all his members never to stop praying for the
Catholic Church and its Vicar—in a daily, urgent and loving
manner. Paul also mystically knew-experienced that the
Church prays together—and that we never pray alone but united to
the earthly Church, the Holy Souls in their purification
process, and the glorious Church in heaven—all ONE in Christ.
PROCLAMATION AND SERVICE
To
pray with Paul in the Passion is to be propelled out into the
world from one’s retreat in order to proclaim the good news of
God’s love from the housetops–by
preaching, acts of corporal or spiritual works of mercy and
love, living day by day in faith and fidelity, offering up one’s
own passion and sufferings in union with Jesus’ Paschal Love,
and living in praise and joy before God and others. True, secure
love wants to share, to expand, to grow, to serve. “We
proclaim Christ Crucified” Who is LIFE and Love! This
proclaiming and healing service is the explosion of prayer, the
living spring of life bursting upwards to surface from its
depths.
CHRIST CRUCIFIED ALWAYS IN OUR
MINDS! 
When Paul was dying, in his last
hours, he could no longer speak. He liked giving away little
crosses to his many visitors as his parting gift. Man of the
Cross as he was, he would continue to proclaim, if not by word
itself, than by gesture and suggestion; he pointed to the corpus
on the crucifix and then he would point to his forehead. The
message? Simple—keep the Crucified Lord always in your mind and
thoughts–always!
II. ST. GABRIEL OF THE SORROWFUL
VIRGIN, MAN OF FAITHFUL PRAYER
Gabriel was,
like Paul, foremost a man of intense prayer. He was also an
outstanding spiritual son of Our Lady and of the Church.
Likewise, like Paul, Gabriel was a Eucharistic-Passion person!
Gabriel’s whole personhood eventually entered an intense fusion
into Paulacrucian solitude, penance, poverty and an exceptional
love for both the physically and spiritually poor and suffering,
(including a dimension beyond our own time, the Holy Souls in
Purgatory).
Gabriel was
a man of prayer since his early childhood when his mother first
taught him the love of Jesus Crucified in her exposition of the
Crucifix. “Look how much He loved you!” His mother also
introduced Gabriel to Our Lady of Sorrows shortly before her
untimely death. Jesus’ Mother was to become Gabriel’s new
spiritual advisor and tutor. His early prayer spilled out in his
everyday acts of charity and forgiveness, his generous donation
of food and giving away of his own allowance. The Holy Spirit
was at work in him and he corresponded.
Too much is made of Gabriel’s
frivolities, his vanity, his love for pranks and the opera.
Yes, it is all true! He was very human and a most loveable guy
and friend, a popular and successful student–the dancer, orator,
pianist, horseman, hunter, scholar and poet. That what makes him
so attractive to us! However, on another level, the secret of
Gabriel’s holiness and openness to God’s call was his
perseverance in prayer. He never abandoned time for prayer and
the Sacraments. He sought out places of solitude and kept
trying to hear God’s Will for him–even when he failed or had a
spiritual backslide. His friends and family knew where to find
him when he disappeared from a party or the opera; he was in
front of the Cathedral in Spoleto, saying his rosary, walking
along the frontal columned portico, or else he was tucked away
in one of his favorite ancient churches before the tabernacle or
at Mary’s altar. Gabriel was able to hear Our Lady’s Voice
calling him l to a deeper commitment in Passionist vowed life
because he was always trying to remain open to God’s Grace
through prayer, Sacraments, and outstanding charity.
Gabriel’ s
fidelity to prayer all his life long is the secret to his great
rise to holiness and spiritual fame; his twin secret is that he
persevered in and with Mary on the daily path to Jesus Christ.
Mary does what she always does to a soul in prayer with
her–leads them to Christo-integration, becoming like
Christ–mind, body and soul; bearing Christ; giving & birthing
Christ to and for others; walking with and toward Christ in
faithful discipleship.
In the Passionist, austere monastic
setting as he prepared for his vows and later as he studied for
priesthood, he gave his whole self over to God without any
reserve, in complete child-like TRUST! His commitment and
sacrifice of all he could have been in the world to all God
wanted of Him in a hidden mystical purpose, was a total act
of poverty of spirit–a surrender, an emptying of self, a passage
into humility, penance, mortification, and the Life of Christ.
It was a new and profound sense of and reality in belonging to
God.
So much loving prayer and
reflection was taking place in his heart and soul, (like Our
lady’s own Gospel Heart!),
that guests to the retreat would remark on the radiance and joy
in Gabriel’s face and smile. That love could not contain itself.
His prayer and union overflowed into service to the surrounding
neighbors, children, poor and sick. He befriended certain youth
and people searching for God and meaning in their lives. He
began to preach the Crucified love via catechesis, distributing
bread, visiting the sick, and giving little sermons (ferverinos)
in the public chapel for Vespers.
When his short life came to an abrupt
end, he was ready for the ultimate sacrifice in spite of pain
and regrets. He was scheduled to offer his first sung Mass on
Christmas Day in 1861, so he writes his father, Sante, had his
ordination not been postponed due to the war in Italy. His
existing tuberculosis was also taking over his body –and Gabriel
mounted his own cross. With all his heart he followed the advice
and utter surrender spoken of by the Apostle Paul and in the
same spirit of the Founder: “...present your bodies as a living
sacrifice....” (Rom 12:1).
Gabriel continues in prayer from
his heavenly post; he exhibits to the world his great
intercessory and missionary love from heaven–a soul that cannot
rest without praying and helping, a perpetual missionary,
bringing people to conversion of hearts and many types of
healing at his tomb, drawing people to prayer in the solitude of
the sanctuary setting named in his honor, nearly 10,000 feet
above sea level–under the gaze of the Apennine Mountains’
highest peak. Gabriel,
with his old sincere charm at work, cordially invites us all
deeper into prayer with Paul of the Cross before the Crucified
Lord and with Our Lady at our side.
ST. MARIA GORETTI: YOUTH OF
RECONCILIATION; VESSEL OF MERCY 
St. Maria
Goretti is truly a Passionist
in as much as she was part of the
Passionist mission parish, was taught about relationship with
Christ Crucified and the Holy Eucharist in their
catechesis classes, received Communion in their local church,
and wholly absorbed the essential spirit, not to mention
the horrific lacerations, sufferings, thirst and blood shedding
of the Cross in her own short life. Maria Goretti is also the
first to be martyred and to shed blood for Christ in the
Passionist Family. She has been called “our second little
sister”–after St. Gemma.
Most of us know the story of how the
twelve years old Maria was attacked by Alexander, a lustful
teenage youth who became violently angry after she refused his
impure advances. Maria was not naive. She knew what sin was and
what temptation was. She also knew the difference of love that
was self giving in sacrifice and holiness versus a love that was
decadent and selfish. Just that day she had made a resolve to
receive Jesus in Communion the following day. Maria was
obviously on a different wave length than Alexander. She was
developing her soul, her character, her moral fiber; above all,
she was getting closer to God and His Love.
Much has been made about Maria’s
purity and devotion to it. And rightly so. Yet too little has
been emphasized of the great prayer that arose out of that pure
union with Christ. Communion for her, like the Founder and St
Gabriel, was immensely personal and at the same time, immersed
her in the life of Christ and the whole life of the Church.
There
is no way that Maria could have acted as she chose to do so
after her attack and vicious stabbing, unless she had been all
along been uniting herself with Christ,
unless she had been graced with
understanding the heart of the Cross–reconciliation!! Mercy!!
Maria becomes a vessel of Jesus’
mercy for Alexander; as she lies dying on the hospital bed,
gazing at the Crucifix and during her last Confession, she
announces that she wants to not only forgive her murderer, but
wants him to come to heaven one day–and be with her. Is this not
Jesus on Calvary–wanting to forgive His murderers? Wanting the
good thief to join Him in Heaven on that very day??!! This
is the extreme love according to God’ Ways, steeped in the Cross
and Passion, nourished by prayer and Eucharist!
This
is the greatness of Maria Goretti. Her dying flowed from the way
she was quietly living her daily chores, her obedience, her
charity, her fidelity to her Baptism and the grace of the
Sacraments. God’s wisdom
is not limited to age, gender or other restrictions or
categories.
Maria
died in the prayer of Jesus on the Cross–on
the eve of the Passionist Feast of the Precious Blood was being
celebrated in the nearby monastery church. After her death, she
prayed from heaven, prayed mightily. Her soul visited Alexander
in prison and he was converted to a life of penance and prayer.
He spent his days, after he was released, in a Capuchin
monastery wearing the Passionist badge under his clothing.
Maria’s own mother was influenced by her daughter’s courage and
spirit–and she too forgave Maria’s murderer–visiting him,
showing him genuine charity. This is all the Grace-filled
results of the prayer of Jesus on the Cross in action and in the
depth of the heart–the reconciling prayer passed on by St Paul
of The Cross to his followers.
ST. GEMMA GALGANI: THE REJECTED
ONE; IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIED!
Gemma is
a real Passionist. She
was a laywoman, denied entry to the religious life. She was to
enter the Passion more intensely than many before or after her.
She was chosen to share in a special manner the Passion of
Jesus, first to bear it externally in her body–with all its pain
and shame, and also to share it interiorly in her heart, like
Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. Gemma was to share in the Passion to
the extent that she was to offer up everything in atonement for
sinners and especially for the sanctification of priests and
sinners.
Gemma, orphaned through the death of
her parents, was to know the emotional desolation and
abandonment that children experience in such tremendous loss.
Managing to fit in as best as she could in her relative’s
household, she did domestic chores and cooking. She had to
struggle with her many bouts of illnesses: meningitis and
tuberculosis. Added to all this was her intense relationship to
God and the saints, and her mystical gifts–ecstasy, the Five
Wounds of Jesus on her body, the visits from her guardian angel,
the great mystical marriage to Jesus, Marian union and visits,
and many more graces! She tried to be as normal as possible, as
humbly not to stick out in the crowd–but to no avail.
Gemma was not a fanatic. She was
responding to God’s particular Grace in her life. She was to
become a living image of the Crucified. She was to stand out as
a radical sign of Jesus’ Crucified love–a reminder to all who
forget Him of what length He goes through to prove His redeeming
Love. Gemma, too was a Eucharistic Sign–showing the
importance of our life in the Eucharist, how Jesus’ Passion is
most securely in our hearts as we live a Eucharistic life.
The Passionist Nuns refused Gemma
admittance to the cloister–not only due to her physical
maladies, but also because of her mystical graces. It was all
too much for them. The Gospel says Jesus was ‘too much” for some
people. They couldn’t deal with that too much. We are “too much”
for some, too—because of our intense faith or convictions.
Later, the nuns would accept Gemma’s dead body to enshrine it in
their midst–as Gemma predicted. One of her relatives, now a
“Venerable” would also start a Congregation in Gemma’s honor to
live the active and intense prayer life of Paul of the Cross in
the midst of the people. You see how life comes from our dying
in Jesus?
Gemma’s
prayer life was a prayer of the rejected Jesus. She shared most
intimately in the rejection Jesus suffered from those He came to
love. Her prayer was one
united to the whole Mystical Body of Christ–the Church. She was
always aware that she needed to be a living prayer for others,
an extension of Jesus in our midst–being His hands and feet,
living His Passion prayer for us, for sinners, for all in need!
Gemma was and is a true sister to all.
Like
Gemma, by our fidelity to prayer and faith in action and
service, and our sometimes unpopular words, we may have to be a
Living SIGN to point others to a deeper life of commitment,
penance, prayers and solitude–while always daily converting
ourselves–always allowing our hearts to be purified more and
more. It will not be easy.
It will be a challenge to be a
passion driven person–passionate in the Passion of Jesus’ self
sacrificial love. Gemma invites us to pray and to daily empty
ourselves, strengthened in the Wounds of Jesus—making greater
room within our hearts for the work and miracles of God to be
completed in and through our lives.
ALL: +
Soul of Christ.
Sanctify me.
Body of Christ,
save me.
Passion of
Christ, strengthen me.
Blood of
Christ, inebriate me,
Water from the
Side of Christ, wash me.
Oh Good Jesus,
hear me.
Within your
Wounds, hide me.
Never permit me
to be separated from you.
From the Evil
One, deliver me.
At the hour of
my death,
call me and bid
me come to You–
that with all
the saints
I may praise
you
forever and
ever.
Amen!
Our lady of Sorrows, Cause of our
Joy, Pray for us.
ANIMA CHRISTI, SANCTIFICA ME
CORPUS CHRISTI, SALVE ME
SANGUIS CHRISTI, INEBRIA ME
AQUA LATERIS CHRISTI, LAVA ME
O BONE JESUS, EXAUDI ME
INTRA TUA VULNERA ABSCONDE ME
NE PERMITTAS ME SEPARARI A TE
AD HOSTE MALIGNO DEFENDE ME
IN HORA MORTIS MEAE VOCA ME,
ET JUBE ME VENIRE AD TE
UT CUM SANCTIS TUIS LAUDEM TE
IN SAECULA SAECULORUM
AMEN!
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