About the Passionists

The special insignia of every Passionist is a heart-shaped emblem which catches, in an image, the meaning of Passionist life.

In the middle of the emblem are the Words, JESU XPI PASSIO. Written in Greek and Latin, the languages of the early Church, means: "the Passion of Jesus Christ," Three nails at the bottom and the cross at the top remind us symbolically of His suffering and death.

Every Passionist takes a special vow, a solemn promise, to spend energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus. This vow defines the purpose of the Passionist community. We pledge to keep deep in our hearts the memory of the cross and to do what is in our power to remind others of it.

Why promise to do something like this? The answer lies with the meaning of the cross and death of Jesus Christ for the world.

The death of Jesus was no mere brutal execution of an extraordinary Jewish teacher and prophet long ago. His death was an event that changed human history. Jesus died that others might live. God so loved the world that he allowed his only Son to give His life for us. The cross becomes the symbol telling us God's love is stronger than death. Passionists want to tell the world about that love.