FEAST OF SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS – 20th OCTOBER

FEAST OF SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS
FEAST DAY – 20th OCTOBER

Saint Paul of the Cross, originally named Paolo Francesco Danei, was born on 3 January 1694, in the town of Ovada, Piedmont, between Turin and Genoa in the Duchy of Savoy in northern Italy. As an infant and youth he had great innocence and piety. The eighty-one years of his life were modeled on the Passion of Jesus Christ. In his childhood, when praying in church, a heavy bench fell on his foot, but the boy taking no notice of the bleeding wound, spoke of it as a rose sent from God.

In the hope of dying for the faith, he enlisted in a crusade against the Turks, but a voice from the Tabernacle warned him that he was to serve Christ alone. The vision of a scourge with love written on its lashes, assured him that his thirst for penance would be satisfied. After consulting his director, Bishop Gastinara of Alexandria in Piedmont, he reached the conclusion that God wished him to establish a congregation in honor of the Passion of Jesus Christ. On November 22, 1720, the bishop vested him with the habit shown to him in a vision, the same that the Passionists wear today.

From that moment the saint applied himself to repair the Rules of his institute. In 1721, he went to Rome to obtain the assent of the Holy See, and finally succeeded when Benedict XIV approved the Rules in 1741 and 1746. St. Paul built his first monastery near Obitello. Sometime later he established a larger community at the Church of St. John and Paul in Rome.

St. Paul chose as the badge of his Order a heart with three nails, in memory of the sufferings of Jesus, but for himself he invented a more secret and durable sign. Moved by the same holy impulse as Blessed Henry Suso, St. Jane Frances, and other Saints, he branded on his side the Holy Name, and its characters were found there after death. His heart beat with a supernatural palpitation, which was especially vehement on Fridays, and the heat at times was so intense as to scorch his shirt in the region of his heart.

Through fifty years of incessant bodily pain, and amidst all his trials, Paul read the love of Jesus everywhere, and would cry out to the flowers and grass, “Oh! be quiet, be quiet,” as if they were reproaching him with ingratitude. He died whilst the Passion was being read to him, and so passed with Jesus from the cross to glory. His saintly death occurred at Rome in the year 1775, at the age of eighty-one. He was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867. His feast day is October 20.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, may the Priest Saint Paul, whose only love was the Cross, obtain for us your grace, O Lord, so that, urged on more strongly by his example, we may embrace our own cross with perseverance and courage. May your grace, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after, and make us always determined to carry out good works.

We are not all called to the sacrifice of martyrdom, but we are all bound to make our lives a continued sacrifice of ourselves to you Lord, and to perform every action in this perfect spirit of sacrifice. Thus we shall both live and die, perfectly resigned to your Holy Will, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Saint Paul of the Cross, pray for us!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ALSO CELEBRATED:

SAINT MARIA BERTILLA BOSCARDIN

CONTEMPLATING THE LIFE OF SAINT MARIA BERTILLA BOSCARDIN

THE HUMBLE NURSE WHO FOUND CHRIST IN THE SUFFERING

St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin reminds us that holiness is found not only in extraordinary achievements but also in ordinary acts of love. Through her humble service as a nurse, she transformed everyday duties into opportunities to encounter Christ in those who suffered.

A CHILDHOOD OF HARDSHIP

Anna Francesca Boscardin, affectionately called Annette, was born on 6 October 1888 in Brendola, northern Italy, into a poor farming family. Her childhood was marked by hardship, limited education and difficulties at home. Often considered slow by others, she nevertheless possessed a deep love for God and treasured the simple teachings of her faith.

A CALL TO HOLINESS

Drawn to religious life, Annette entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts, in Vicenza around 1905, receiving the name Maria Bertilla. Initially assigned to domestic duties, she performed every task with humility and dedication. Her greatest ambition was to become a saint and lead others to Jesus through a life of faithful service.

A NURSE WITH A HEART OF COMPASSION

After making her religious profession on 8 December 1907, Sister Maria Bertilla was sent to a hospital in Treviso. She trained as a nurse and devoted herself particularly to children suffering from serious illnesses. With patience, tenderness and unwavering dedication, she comforted frightened patients and cared for the sick without seeking recognition. For her, nursing became a way of loving Christ through those who suffered.

COURAGE AMID THE DANGERS OF WAR

During the First World War, bombardments threatened the region around Treviso, placing patients and medical staff in danger. Bertilla continued caring for the sick and wounded with quiet courage. Her life reflected the words of Jesus: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

FAITHFULNESS WHEN MISUNDERSTOOD

Despite her dedication, Bertilla experienced misunderstandings with her superiors and was temporarily removed from nursing duties and assigned to the laundry. Although this was painful, she accepted the assignment and continued serving faithfully. Eventually, she returned to nursing. Her experience teaches us that holiness does not depend on recognition or favourable circumstances but on remaining faithful to God through every trial.

SUFFERING UNITED WITH CHRIST

Bertilla developed a tumour that required surgery, but her health continued to deteriorate. The nurse who had lovingly cared for others now faced her own suffering. She continued to entrust herself to God, finding strength in her faith even as her body weakened.

On 20 October 1922, at the age of thirty four, she died in Treviso. Her final message reminded her sisters to work for the Lord and remember that Jesus, rather than worldly possessions or passing achievements, was their greatest treasure.

THE HIDDEN LIGHT OF HOLINESS

After her death, Bertilla’s reputation for holiness spread among those who remembered her compassionate service. Pope Pius XII beatified her on 8 June 1952, and Pope John XXIII canonised her on 11 May 1961.

St. Maria Bertilla’s holiness arose from her humility, perseverance, compassion and complete dedication to Christ. Her life teaches us that sainthood is not reserved for the gifted or celebrated. It can be found in hospitals, homes, workplaces and every place where ordinary duties are performed with extraordinary love.

A LEGACY OF LOVE

St. Maria Bertilla invites us to recognise Christ in those who are sick, lonely, frightened or overlooked. She did not wait for extraordinary opportunities to become holy. She transformed ordinary responsibilities, painful disappointments and personal suffering into offerings of love to God.

Her life challenges us to ask ourselves whether others can recognise Christ through the way we treat them. Like Bertilla, we are called to make every ordinary opportunity a means of serving God and loving our neighbour.