The story of the Passionists is a story of Love…
of God’s overwhelming love for each one of us which He revealed in the Passion of Jesus Christ. It is a story of love which embraces our suffering today, but which is far greater than our brokenness. And it is a story of love which compels the Passionists to walk toward new life and transformation with all who seek healing through the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In 2006, the Passionists of Holy Cross Province gathered together to celebrate 100 years of service and assess the mission as they envisioned their future. They recognized that much had changed in the world, the Church, and the Province since its founding in 1906. They celebrated the reality that Passionist ministries in Holy Cross Province now included talented and committed lay companions who share in the Passionist charism in their own unique way.
They also acknowledged that the vowed community of Passionists was changing. The average age of American Passionists was rising even as the mission in India was experiencing new energy with younger men joining the community. The average age of Passionists in the India Mission is 33 years of age compared to 70 for Passionists ministering in the United States.
The Passionists of Holy Cross Province realized that they had limited financial resources to address the ministry needs of the Province. Among all the needs identified during this centennial evaluation process, two funding priorities emerged:
1. Increased support for senior Passionists who live in local communities or at Sacred Heart Monastery in Louisville, the residence for Passionists with greater health care needs.
2. Formation and training for vowed and lay members in leadership roles to ensure the future mission of proclaiming God’s love for the world revealed through the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The vital nature of these two priorities continues, and given a recent independent feasibility study revealing benefactor support for these priorities, they are now the primary goals of this Campaign in support of Holy Cross Province.
