Our Founders

Founded in the Spring of 2023 by Friar Charles Michael and Sister Mary Gabriel of the Precious Blood of Jesus, the hermitage serves a unique and vital purpose: to offer a contemplative space for professed laity who, due to chronic health conditions, injury, or other medical limitations, are unable to enter more traditional forms of religious life. In the silence of our prayerful life, we provide an environment where these individuals can fully embrace their calling to live the life of prayer and sacrifice, hidden from the world but deeply united to it in the love of Christ.

Our Mission

"Go forth and preach with love!" ~ Sister Marie Gabriele, C.P, Foundress

We are guided by the teachings of the founder of the Congregation of Passionists, Saint Paul of the Cross, whose life and work centered on bringing people to the foot of the Cross, where they encounter the infinite love of God. Saint Paul of the Cross emphasized the importance of prayer and contemplation as the foundation of spiritual life, and we are called to help others draw near to Christ through a life of prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to His Passion. As Passionists, our primary mission is to guide, educate, and preach to guide others to live out the transformative power of God’s love in their daily lives.Our mission is not only to serve through charitable action in our local community but also to guide people worldwide in developing a deep and personal relationship with God through the gift of prayer. We are dedicated to multilingual outreach and believe that one of the greatest gifts we can offer the world is to educate and teach people how to pray, a priceless skill and a grace that opens the heart to encounter the living God. In a world filled with distractions and noise, we recognize the need for souls to be formed in the quiet, contemplative practice of prayer so that they might grow in holiness and be empowered to live out their vocational calling in their daily lives.Our apostolate is grounded in the belief that every act of prayer and every word of teaching is an invitation to encounter the mercy and love of Christ. By living out the Passionist charism, we focus not only on alleviating physical suffering but on addressing the deeper spiritual needs of those we serve. We seek to teach the faith and to help others grow in wisdom, understanding, and love for the Lord through prayer and study. In doing so, we fulfill the mission given to us by Saint Paul of the Cross: to bring souls to the foot of the Cross and lead them into a life of deeper communion with Christ.We are educators as much as we are preachers, whose mission is to spread the Gospel and the truths of the Catholic faith, pray for the conversion of sinners and the Poor Souls of Purgatory, and promote the devotions to Christ Crucified and Our Lady of Sorrows. As we study and reflect upon the Sorrows of Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin, we share these insights with all who come to us, so that they too might be drawn into a deeper understanding of God’s love for all of humanity.In the spirit of Saint Paul of the Cross, we are committed to educating others in the vocation of the hermit and in the art of contemplative prayer. This is not a prayer of words, but a prayer that comes from the heart, a prayer that seeks to be in the presence of God, listening and responding with love. Whether through our writings, teachings, or retreats, we strive to make the spiritual practices of our charismatic order accessible to all who seek them.As we continue to grow in faith, we remain committed to our call to be missionaries of prayer. We invite all who seek a deeper relationship with God to join us in our mission to pray for the conversion of sinners and the Poor Souls of Purgatory, teach others the faith, and live according to the example of our founder. Our work is ultimately to serve Christ and His Church by helping others encounter the transformative power of prayer, which leads to true peace and reconciliation with God.Through prayer, study, and preaching, we aim to make the Passion of Christ the center of our lives and the source of hope for others. It is in the suffering and death of Christ that we find the fullness of God’s love, and it is this love we seek to share with the world, calling all to remember the Passion of Christ, the "greatest and most overwhelming work of God's Divine Love." (Saint Paul of the Cross)

Our Charism

"Go forth and preach with love!" ~ Sister Marie Gabriele, C.P, Foundress

As a Hermitage under the Rule of the Passionists, our charism is deeply rooted in the spiritual legacy left to us by our founder, Saint Paul of the Cross. His vision for the Passionist Congregation was to bring all people to the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ, where they can experience the transformative power of God's love. Central to our charism is the contemplation of the Passion of Christ, where we find the greatest revelation of God’s love for humanity. Saint Paul of the Cross recognized that through this intimate meditation on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, we are drawn into a deeper relationship with God and each other. God suffered to understand us, and by reflecting on this love we come to understand one another.Our charism calls us to live out the mystical and charismatic aspects of our faith. We are, first and foremost, contemplatives and mystics. Through contemplation, we seek a profound union with God, allowing His love to penetrate our hearts and transform our entire being. As mystics, we believe that prayer is not simply a discipline, but a direct encounter with God as an experience of His presence that brings peace and unity to the soul. In these moments of intimate communion with Christ, we are filled with a deep sense of His love, which empowers us to share this love with the world.Our contemplative life is not one of isolation, but one that bursts forth in charismatic witness. As Passionists, we are called to be charismatic evangelists, sharing the joy of the Gospel through our lives, words, and actions. Our charism is not merely about prayer in silence, but about making the power of God’s love tangible in the world. We are moved by the Holy Spirit to act, to speak, and to teach so that others may encounter the same love and peace that we experience through the Passion of Christ.Being a charismatic mystic order means that our spiritual life is not static, but is filled with constant movement, growth, and transformation. We are attuned to the spiritual dimensions of the world around us, and we believe that God is continually revealing Himself in the daily moments of our lives. Whether in the quiet of our prayer or in the midst of serving others, we seek to be open vessels for God’s grace, allowing His Will to flow through us.

"I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God’s Holy Will, not my own."
~ Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, C.P

Our charism calls us to live the mystical union with Christ in a very practical way. As we meditate on His Passion, we are continually invited into deeper intimacy with Him. This mystical union is not something reserved for a select few, it is for all who seek God with an open heart! We are passionate about helping others grow in this union with Christ through our education and outreach. We aim to teach others how to cultivate their relationship with God, showing them that prayer is not just an activity, but a way of life that can be practiced every day. In doing so, we seek to make the spiritual life accessible to all, teaching others how to pray, how to listen for God's voice, and how to open their hearts to His presence.As charismatic preachers, we are not only called to reflect on the Passion of Christ but also to share this divine love with the world. Whether through retreats, writings, or personal stories, we aim to create spaces where others can learn about and experience a mystical encounter with God. This encounter may be through the stillness of prayer or through the act of service, but it is always an encounter that transforms the heart and leads to a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Christ.We are called to live the Passionist charism of prayer and sacrifice in union with the suffering of the world. This charism is both contemplative and active, one that continually calls us to deepen our union with Christ while also reaching out to those who suffer. As Passionists, we see Christ’s suffering in the world around us, and we respond with prayer and service. The Passion of Christ moves us to reach out to the poor, the suffering, the marginalized, and the broken who make up the Crucified of today, bringing them the peace and hope found in Christ.One way we live in the union of contemplation and action is through the humble and ancient labor of herbal medicine. Our Hermitage is home to a growing apothecary, where we craft natural remedies and healing salves from the very earth God has given us. This sacred work is a reflection of our belief that God provides for both the soul and the body through His creation. Just as early monks and cloistered sisters of once tilled gardens, tended stillrooms, and dried herbs beneath cloisters, so too do we continue this tradition with reverence and gratitude. We believe there is profound dignity in simple work, and in growing things that heal not only to support our Hermitage, but also our community near and far.Ultimately, our charism is a cruciform life, a life shaped by the Cross and the endless outpouring of God’s love. Whether through prayer, educating, preaching, healing, or tending our gardens in silence, we offer everything to God as an act of worship. We seek to become living chalices, filled with His love, poured out for the world.

Our Vows

We live our lives according to the vows we take upon our formation that are part of our Passionist charism and essential to our spiritual vocation and mission. These vows are not merely external commitments; they are profound expressions of our desire to live fully for God and to serve His Church with hearts surrendered in love. Through these vows, we seek to imitate the life of Christ, who lived in perfect poverty, obedience, and self-sacrifice for the salvation of the world.

"My son, he who embraces Me embraces thorns."
~ Jesus Christ to Saint Paul of the Cross, C.P, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ

In all of our vows we seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who in His love for us gave Himself completely for our salvation. These vows are not just commitments to live a life of holiness; they are opportunities to participate in the very life of Christ, uniting our sacrifices with His, our service with His, and our teachings with His. Through these vows, we strive to live out the Gospel with all our hearts, that others might encounter the love of Christ and be transformed by the mystery of the Cross.

Our History

"May the Passion of Jesus Christ be forever in our hearts."
~ Saint Paul of the Cross, C.P, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ

The Passionist Order was founded in 1720 in Rome, Italy by Saint Paul of the Cross (born Paolo Francesco Danei) with the early support of his brother, John Baptist Danei. At just 19 years old, Paul began feeling an intense calling to a life of solitude and prayer, sensing that God wanted to draw him into a deep relationship with Him. However, it wasn’t until he was 26 that Paul received clear confirmation in his prayers that God was calling him to found a community dedicated to the Passion of Christ, which he believed to be "the greatest work of divine love."After years of discernment and prayer, Paul was clothed in the black habit of the hermit by Bishop Gattinara of Alessandria in 1720. He then embarked on a transformative 40-day retreat at the Church of St. Charles in Castellazo from November 22, 1720 to January 1, 1721. During this time, he wrote the first draft of the Rule of Life for the community, inspired by his mystical reflections on the Passion of Christ and his commitment to spreading Christ’s sacrificial love.Initially called The Poors of Jesus, the community was later named the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (or the Passionist Order). In 1737, Paul established the first Passionist Retreat, the Monastery of the Presentation in the Temple, on Monte Argentario, Italy. The community began with only nine members, but Paul's vision for a life rooted in the Passion of Christ grew steadily, despite the challenges posed by the Order's austere lifestyle and strict rules.The Passionist Rule demanded significant sacrifice from its members: fasting, penance, and a life of contemplative prayer, with no less than three hours of prayer each day in addition to the daily Divine Office. Silence was to be observed throughout the day, broken only for a brief recreation period after supper. The members of the Order were also discalced, wearing only sandals instead of shoes as a sign of humility and poverty.Though the initial growth of the Order was slow, partly due to the severe nature of its lifestyle, Paul’s vision of a community dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the suffering of the world slowly began to take root. At the time of his death in 1775, the Passionist Order had only 180 members spread across twelve retreats in Italy. The Passionist Nuns had been founded just four years earlier in 1771, with Mother Mary Crucified (born Faustina Gertrude Costantini) joining Saint Paul in establishing their first retreat in Corneto, Italy, which opened with just ten members.

"Meditation on Jesus Christ Crucified is a precious balm which sweetens all pains."
~ Saint Paul of the Cross, C.P, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ

Despite these humble beginnings, the Passionist Order has continued to grow over the past 300 years. Today, the Order has over 2,500 professed members across more than 60 countries. Though still smaller and lesser-known than other religious orders, the Passionists remain deeply committed to their mission of proclaiming the Passion of Christ, offering both contemplative prayer and active service to the suffering and marginalized of the world.The modern-day Passionists continue to live out the charism and spirituality of their founder. Fathers and Brothers of the Order are dedicated to pastoral care and service to the sick, the needy, the homeless, and the oppressed who make up the "Crucified of today." Their ministry of charity involves not only physical acts of care but also a deeper, spiritual outreach, bringing Christ’s message of love, compassion, and hope to those in greatest need.When not engaged in active ministry, Passionists retreat into silent contemplation at their monasteries and retreats, offering their prayer and labor as acts of solidarity with Christ’s suffering. Each act of charity becomes an opportunity to bear witness to the sufferings of the world in honor of Christ's Passion.Passionist Nuns and Sisters, on the other hand, lead a life of complete cloister, devoting themselves to contemplative prayer and reflection on the Passion. For them, the life of silence and prayer is not only a form of personal sanctification but also an intercessory ministry for the conversion of sinners. Many experience mystical visions, just as Saint Paul of the Cross and other Passionist saints did, offering the Church and the world a witness to the deep spiritual experiences that come from a life devoted to the Passion of Christ.The Passionists of today, while embracing their mystical and contemplative heritage, also engage in outreach ministries, particularly among the poor, the marginalized, and those who are often forgotten by society. Whether through preaching, teaching, or compassionate service, the Passionist charism remains as vital as ever: a life of prayer and action united in the suffering and love of Christ, continually calling the world to reflect upon the Sacrifice of the Cross as the greatest source of redemption and hope.

The Sorrowful Hearts

"The Passion of Jesus is a sea of sorrows, but it is also an ocean of love.
Ask the Lord to teach you to fish in this ocean. Dive into its depths.
No matter how deep you go, you will never reach the bottom."
~ Saint Paul of the Cross, C.P, Founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ

There are no words in any human language that can fully express the depth of agony of the Sorrowful Hearts of Jesus and Mary, hearts that cry not just of suffering, but of a love that defies the very limits of human endurance! To gaze upon them is to enter into the sacred silence of Calvary. Every drop of blood shed and every tear that falls is a sacrifice of love for you and me! These hearts of Mother and Child, pierced and stabbed through, are not just symbols, they are our very source of life, the wellspring of all mercy! The Sorrowful Hearts of Jesus and Mary are the invitation to come close to the sacrificial love of living, beating Heart of God.When we look upon the Heart of Jesus torn open by the lance, we are drawn into the terrible and beautiful image of the Passion of Christ. The pain He bore wasn't only physical, it was a spiritual agony that none of us could ever truly fathom. His Heart, broken for us, still beats with a love so fierce that it calls us into His embrace! His suffering was not for the world of the past but for you now!For every moment of pain you’ve ever known, for every tear you’ve ever shed, for every sin you’ve ever committed. Jesus' Sacred Body was broken for us so that we might be made whole. His Love is uncontainable! Pouring out, spilling over with the Precious Blood and Water of Life that cleanses us, that heals us, that transforms us. It’s a love that never stops, that never fades, even as He hangs on the Cross in pain! But even in His death He promises life... a life for you!He offered His Heart to all of us, a Heart that is forever wounded, forever longing for us, calling us to come near, to rest our heads upon His breast, to feel the beating of His heart, the Heart that has loved us first, the Heart that still loves us in our lowest moments, in our darkest despair!His Mother mourns and cries for you too. Holy Mary Mother of Sorrows, whose heart was pierced with the sorrow of knowing her Blessed Child's demise long before the lance struck the side of her Son. From the very moment she held her infant in her arms, she knew the weight of what was to come.
She knew that her womb that brought for the Savior of Mankind was also a grave for the Sacrificial Lamb of God already destined to die for us.The prophecy of Simeon pierced her soul like a sword, and her heart was marked by sorrow that would grow heavier with each step she took beside Jesus through His entire life. Oh what weight of the agony of knowing upon the young Virgin's heart! But it was at the foot of the Cross, as she stood there, gazing upon the broken body of her Son, that her heart was torn completely open along with His, overpouring with sorrow for the world!Why does Mary cry? The tears in her eyes fall for the sins of the world the world that required her most beloved Son to die, the deep, heart-wrenching grief that overcame her as she watched Him crucified on that Cross. Her Heart was pierced with the sword of sorrow as she saw the price of her “Yes” to God. The very soul of the Mother who had once whispered a sweet lullaby over His cradle now cries out in the cruel silence of Calvary. Her heart is crushed, yet in that moment of complete loss, she holds the world in her arms! She suffers for us too, offering up her pain in union with His, for she knows that through the sword that pierces her own soul, the world will be saved!She becomes the Mother of all believers, our mother who continues to love and guide us through even our darkest moments. Her love is unyielding even as her Son dies before her eyes. In her suffering, she teaches us how to suffer with hope in God's Promise, to stand firm in faith even when all seems lost. Even in her most anguished time her heart remains full of love, the very love of God! And it is this love in the deepest sorrow that calls us to take refuge in her mantle. She is the mother of us all, standing not just in sorrow, but in victory. Her sorrow gives birth to hope and to new life for the entire world, just as the pain of childbirth gives way to the joy of a new beginning. She remains faithful to the Cross, and in her faithfulness, she becomes the way for us to follow, showing us how to live with the love of the Cross burning forever in our own hearts.When we consecrate our lives and our work to the Sorrowful Hearts of Jesus and Mary, we are not just remembering their suffering, but we are inviting that suffering into our own hearts, so that we may become one with them. Their hearts are wide open, waiting for us to enter in, to allow the wounds of Christ and the sorrows of Mary to wash over us and purify us! For their love for each other as Mother and Beloved Child and their love for all of humankind is stronger than any pain. They show us that through the Cross we can find our final redemption, and that our deepest pain can be transformed into something holy and something beautiful in the eyes of God!

"May the Sorrowful Hearts of Jesus and Mary be our refuge, our strength, and our guide, in life, death, and beyond."
~ Sister Marie Gabriele, C.P, Foundress