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St. Paul of the Cross - Founder of the Passionists
(1694-1775)
"My food is to do the Will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work." (Jn.4:34)
Of the many saints I love and admire, Paul of the Cross is at the top of the list. Since reading his biography, I have tried to imitate his approach to prayer, not so much his technique, but more importantly, his resolve to pray no matter how or what he felt.
Paul's life was full of trials and sufferings. This never slowed him down. He faithfully carried, with love and joy, whatever cross Our Lord sent him. One cross that Paul had to carry for a major part of his spiritual/prayer life was the cross of dryness and desolation.
Prior to becoming a hermit and founding the Passionists, Paul, on two separate occasions, experienced visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These visions not only helped him understand what God desired of him but also blessed him with the courage and strength to put God's plan into action.
In 1720, after being invested in the coarse black habit of a hermit, Paul made a 40-day retreat. During that retreat, while at prayer, he continued to experience special graces and spiritual lights. As his vocation and calling took shape, the mystical experiences almost came to a complete stop. In fact, for almost the remainder of his religious life, Paul walked the dark road of prayer.
Paul had entered the dark nights that St. John of the Cross wrote about in his spiritual classics Ascent of Mount Carmel and Dark Night of the Soul. The time Paul spent in prayer left him feeling empty. It was as if Jesus had abandoned him. The spiritual consolations he experienced early on in his religious life were gone and he was forced to walk by faith rather than feelings.
The word "cross" that Paul chose for part of his religious name fits his spiritual life. At times, the dryness and desolation were so painful that he felt as though he had been condemned to hell. Of course, this was the furthest thing from the truth.
Toward the end of Paul's life, the darkness lifted and he once again started to have mystical experiences, which included visions, levitations and the gift of healing. Some even testified that before he died Paul seemed to have already been raised up to Heaven.
It is never easy for anyone to experience dryness during prayer, especially when it is over an extended period of time. Nevertheless, Paul of the Cross, teaches us that no matter what Our Lord sends us during our prayer time we should willingly accept it and persevere for the good of our soul and the salvation of others.
God bless.
St. Paul of the Cross' feast day is October 20. For more information on his life, read or visit the following:
Listen to His Love: A Life of St. Paul of the Cross Founder of the Passionists by Bennet Kelley, CP
The Catholic Encyclopedia (NewAdvent.org): St Paul of the Cross
Catholic.org: St. Paul of the Cross
Patron Saint Index: St. Paul of the Cross