Who are the Passionists?

The Rules and Constitutions were approved [by the Church] as written because they were based on the infallible truth of the Gospel.

Dearly beloved, you must know that the main object in wearing black (according to the special inspiration that God gave me) is to be clothed in mourning for the Passion and Death of Jesus. For this purpose let us never forget to have always with us a continual and sorrowful remembrance of him. And so let each of the Poor of Jesus take care to instill in others the loving meditation on the sufferings of our gentle Jesus.

At that moment I saw myself clothed in a long black garment with a white cross on my breast, and below the cross the holy name of Jesus was written in white letters. At that instant I heard these very words spoken to me: This signifies how pure and spotless that heart should be which must bear the holy name of Jesus graven upon it.

After these visions of the holy tunic and the sacred sign, God gave me a stronger desire and impulse to gather companions and with the approval of holy Mother Church to found a Congregation called: The Poor of Jesus. After this God infused into my soul in a lasting manner the form of the holy Rule to be observed by the Poor of Jesus and by me his least and most unworthy servant.

This order, or congregation, is neither purely contemplative, nor purely active. The manner of life pursued in it, is of a mixed character embracing both contemplation and action.