The Passionists!

It was for several events like the 3pm service of course and then the Youth Group Presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross. it was a beautiful day all around.

Gemma was the middle of 7 children born to Enrico and Aurelia in a small town near Lucca Italy. From an early age, people saw a demeanor and presence about her that was different and holy. She always desired to hear about Jesus and especially about His Passion.

Her mothers passing was difficult on her and her family. She would have to leave her home and live and be educated by the Sisters of St. Zita. She excelled in this school and even won a game they played that was called "who will become a saint". A premonition?

Gemma's life would be unfortunately short due to illnesses. But these illnesses were thought to be gifts from God and she suffered through all of them for the sake of Jesus and His Passion. These illnesses also lead her into many ecstacies with Jesus, Mary and even St Gabriel, the Passionist saint of , whom she came to have a great devotion to. Even when not in ecstacy, she often saw and conversed with her Guardian Angel. She was also blessed with the stigmata, which came on Thurs. evenings and left on Friday afternoons. During some ecstacies, she was seen sweating drops of blood and at other times, she said Jesus put His crown of thorns on her head, and blood was seen dripping down her head and neck as though it had been.

Like so many mystics, she would also at times be tempted or tormented severely by the devil or the demons, who would often appear to her in bodily form. There were several occasions where he, appearing to her as a little man or a black dog, beat her, dragging her by the hair and on one occasion, he pulled her arm so forcefully, he caused it to become dislocated, "But afterwards Jesus came and touched my arm, and all was better" she wrote. Knowing her mission as soul victim, the Devil once said to her "You can pray for yourself, but if you pray for others, I will make you pay dearly for it".

St. Gemma always desired to become a Passionist nun. It was not to be, as her illnesses and mysticism kept her from being accepted. But her deep devotion to St. Gabriel and being her spiritual director was a Passionist, she is known and accepted as a Passionist saint.

This short, but amazing life, is full of other-worldly and blessed events that we will continue to discuss in the coming days and weeks...

My Scapular has never arrived. What happened?

I'm sorry to hear that Ally.

Please know that you are not alone though. Many people have a calling from God that for many reasons they just can't answer. But we have to understand, that if it's truly God's will, He will make it happen, but in His own time - not ours! While I'm sure you feel ready, maybe God knows the time is just not right, that maybe these obstacles were placed there to get you ready. They could be crosses that you will have to bear to purify you before your entry into the Passionists.

We need to have patience, and I know that it is easier said than done, but we must.

From St. Paul of the Cross -

It is listed, but I can't seem to get it to load

Breviary is the same as the "regular" one, but with all the Passionist Feast days.

Isn't ..he ...just ....Lovely! God bless our pope..

He is going to reform the thoughts and actions of all he comes into contact with,We are a blessed bunch...
He does not respect all the trimmings and riches and for that alone he will win over many souls, isn't it wonderful to actually see one person, in such a high position, practicing what they preach.. I realise through this new pope Francis I had become so tired of people in positions saying one thing to the crowds and doing the opposite for themselves..He was refreshing to watch and to find out about He indeed is blessed by the Holy Spirit and we are indeed blessed to have him as our pope...Thanks be to God

Hi AllyC, and welcome to our group!

It's heartening to hear about your discernment. I've heard wonderful things about the Nun's at Whitesville, although I know there are many other very good communities out there to. I believe that we did a thread about this community awhile back, so search through the forum if you'd like.Maybe you could even add to it, especially if you visit there. The journey of discernment is so important and at times it can be tough, yet it's also fun and interesting at the same time.

It seem's that many of us come to the Passionists by accident. Maybe they need to do better marketing!

Anyway, welcome and please have a look around the forum. We've compiled a lot of information on this wonderful congregation over the years!

Oh, and be assured, you'll be in our prayers!

This is an old thread!

You must be slipping my friend!

I know you'll like this book and get a lot out of it too. His daily meditations have given me new aspects of our Lord's Passion that I had never really thought of or meditated on.

Thanks.

I have never been able to find one.

Oh wow. Just reading this now. Conclave starts tomorrow. What an exciting time for our Church