Founded by Elizabeth Prout, later known as Mother Mary Joseph, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion is a Roman Catholic religious institute. Also known as the Passionist Sisters, or Passionist Nuns, the institute is part of the larger Passionist movement that was founded by Saint Paul of the Cross in 1720, and share their desire to combine missionary work with contemplative life. Elizabeth Prout was converted to Catholicism when the first Passionist missionaries arrived in England, and served as the first Mother Superior of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. The Passionist Sisters first worked among poor mill workers in Manchester, gathering a group of women with them, and they were the beginnings of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. The first Passionist Sisters made their vows in the fall of 1852. Differing from most religious institutes for women of the time, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion had no specific educational requirements or dowries, as membership in the institute was open to the poor whom they had served. Tasks were assigned according to abilities and talents. In its first years, the Passionist Sisters lived in the mill towns of England and Scotland, teaching poor children, helping working class women learn good housekeeping, and sheltering those who were in need. Later, the Sisters became known for its schools and colleges. Today, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion are an international congregation, the largest part of which is in Great Britain and Ireland. Sisters also operate two hospice centers in Bosnia, and the United States province has houses in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Jamaica in the West Indies. Other provinces are in South America, Chile, Argentina and Peru, and Sisters are working in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Botswana. They are involved in education, parish work, retreat work, and pastoral care services.
Recommended Resources
The Passionist Nuns in Whitesville, Kentucky operate a guest and retreat house and chapel on a hundred and seventy acres of woodlands. Retreat schedules, prayer schedules, and contacts are posted, along with an overview of the congregation’s founding and founders, saints, symbology, and their coming to the United States. Other resources include educational articles on the Catholic faith, indulgences, bioethics, apologetics, and political life.
https://passionistnuns.org/
The Roman Catholic cloistered community is situated in Erlanger, Kentucky. A history of the congregation, which began with a men’s congregation, then a contemplative community of women, is presented, and an overview of community life, the spirituality of the community, and vocation stories are put forth. A video about making altar breads is posted, and a list of Passionist monasteries in the United States is included.
http://www.erlangerpassionists.org/
Saint Gabriel’s Retreat Center
The Passionist Nuns operate the retreat center in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. The Roman Catholic community of religious women are associated with the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was formed by Paul Francis Danei, later known as Saint Paul of the Cross. Its history, organizational structure, and membership information are put forth, along with a description of the facilities, a calendar of events, and photographs.
http://www.passionistnunsclarkssummit.org/
Sisters of the Cross & Passion, St. Paul of the Cross Province
Headquartered in Middleton, Manchester, and covering England and Ireland, the Province operates two retreat centers, one in Ireland and another in England, as well as four communities of care for elderly and inform Sisters, a university, and a hospice program. Its mission, associates, and volunteer programs are highlighted, along with membership information, vocations, and contacts.
http://crossandpassion.com/
Sisters of the Most Holy Cross & Passion, Our Lady of Dolors Province
The Our Lady of Dolors Province, in the United States, has houses in Connecticut, Rhode island, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Jamaica, West Indies. A history of the Passionist congregation is put forth, including the places around the world where they are active, the province leadership team, membership and vocation information, the spirituality of the congregation, and contacts.
http://www.passionistsisters.org/
Founded in 1910 by five nuns from Italy, the Passionist nuns of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the first community of Passionist nuns in the United States. The community of cloistered contemplative religious women are part of a congregation known as the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, founded by Saint Paul of the Cross. Its history, charism, way of life, and vocation are discussed.
http://www.passionistnunspgh.org/
