St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center
Detroit, Michigan

"What attracted me to the Passionists is the need of the Church today. I saw and experienced how the Cross had lost its meaning in the world, lost its “luster,” so to say. Instead of looking at it as a source of redemption, it began to scare people away. I, too, wanted to run away from the Cross many times, but my Christian faith taught me that salvation comes through the Cross."

Sharing Our Stories

What does the Passion of Jesus mean to you personally?

Through the help of my personal experiences, I have gained more understanding that every Cross, every suffering that I am encountering, has some purpose. What Jesus did on the Cross is change the meaning of suffering from that of meaningless torment to salvation. Sufferings are experienced everywhere, but if our conviction about the Cross conforms to that of Jesus, then our agony leads to redemption.

What sustains you in the process of formation?

What has sustained me during this special year of formation is prayer. It’s number one. Another thing which was very nourishing was learning more about our Passionist heritage. I learned a lot about the treasure of Passionist history, which is a priceless inheritance for me. As one of a new generation of Passionists, that is essential.

With all the choices out there today, why would someone choose the life of a religious?

If someone was considering a vocation to the religious life, I would tell them my experience—how God has called me from nowhere and somehow rebuilt my life. Before I entered the Passionists, I tried to embrace the different temperaments of the world, but they didn’t bring me real happiness. Pray to find where God is really leading you. And if you are called to this way of life, then the Passionists will walk with you.