This new light which now I see… From the writings of Saint Paul of the Cross John Baptist Gorresio and John Mary Cioni 1 Foreword It is true that it is only in the last 30 years or so that the spirituality of Saint Paul of the Cross and the history of the Passionist Congregation which he founded has become available to the Passionist religious of the English-speaking world, thanks to linguistically gifted persons within the Congregation who were generous to devote their time and talents to the work of translation. All of the written documents (mainly letters) of St Paul of the Cross and the testimonies written by his contemporaries have been in the Italian language. These were a little more easily translated into the major European languages of French and Spanish. However it was a long time coming in English. Ever since translations of these beautiful documents have become available in English, a new light dawned in the minds and hearts of many Passionists, particularly in the English- speaking world. There has been a real hunger and thirst amongst these Passionists to want to delve into the character and personality of their spiritual Father, Paul of the Cross, and to be enriched by the spirituality of him who has been described as the greatest mystic of the eighteenth century. The documents contained in this book contributes eminently to this desire and adds to the growing volumes of resources now available to English readers. The slow, tedious and pain-staking work of translation is perhaps easily overlooked by readers when this book is picked up and devoured. However, let us be reminded of the commitment to detail and fidelity to the literal interpretation of the author’s work by our Passionist translators which not only whet our appetites to want more knowledge, but which also challenges us to live our Charism – “to keep alive the memory of the Passion” – in the world and times of today. In acknowledging the original translation work undertaken by Father John Baptist Pechulis C.P. and others, the Congregation owes a debt of gratitude to Brother Laurence Finn C.P. – editor of this book – for the hours of faithful and disciplined time given during his sabbatical leave to edit the original work and make the ‘language’ so much more readable. To anyone desiring a deeper insight into the person, mind, spirituality and times of St Paul of the Cross, and especially for use in the formation programmes of the Passionist Family, I heartily recommend this book. Joachim Rego C.P. Provincial Holy Spirit Province (SPIR) Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand 2 Introduction A distinguished American academic recently wrote in his online journal1 a couple of intriguing articles that have caused a certain amount of controversy in some circles. Professor Stanley Fish of the University of Illinois at Chicago asked the question, hypothetically I suppose, Will the Humanities Save Us? The response to this question, which he answered negatively, was overwhelming in the opposite direction – with readers supporting the more noble sentiments oftentimes expressed in great literature. The Professor responded in the next article that one must distinguish between those who are the creative part of the humanities (the writers, composers, artists, historians and philosophers) and those who have become part of the industry that are, as a friend of Doctor Fish put it: “…. parasites on the carcass of literature.” He is referring to the academic world that has created a comfortable cocoon around itself, teaching and researching the work of others, and expecting the public to support them through the Universities for their efforts. All of this done in the name of the Humanities, hiding behind the fact that they are not part of the creative process but rather an industry that has become overly protective of itself, and self-satisfied and complacent rather than creative and being challenged themselves and challenging those for whom they work with the very substance of the Humanities. This sobering discussion leads to a certain unease as this editor attempts to introduce the following materials to his readers. Any effort to interpret history in general, and the history of a Religious Congregation in particular, usually ends up betraying a certain prejudice on the part of the editor of an historical work. One could ask the question: Will the study of this material “save” us? Will it make us become mere “observers” of the process begun in a small room off of the nave of a parish church more than two hundred and eighty years ago? For members of the Congregation of the Passion, and all the related Congregations and Associations that have come into being since these materials were originally penned, it would never do to be mere observers or interpreters of the seminal experiences that laid the foundation of the Religious communities that make up the family of Passionists that exists today – whether religious or lay. It would be good to recall the stirring words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Religious life derives from the mystery of the Church. It is a gift she has received from her Lord, a gift she offers as a stable way of life to the faithful called by God to profess the counsels. Thus, the Church can both show forth Christ and acknowledge herself to be the Saviour’s bride. Religious life in its various forms is called to signify the very charity of God in the language of our time.2 1 Stanley Fish, blog on the New York Times, Will the Humanities Save Us? (January 6, 2008) and The Uses of the Humanities, Part Two (January 13, 2008). 2 Catechism of the Catholic Church (Society of Saint Paul, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia, 1994) p. 243, n. 926. 3 In that context this work is offered – something that will challenge us all to become “the very charity of God in the language of our time”. What the reader will find: Paul Francis Danei There are four separate documents offered in this work. The first two are the works of Saint Paul of the Cross himself – outlining what he conceived this new Congregation of the Passion to be in the world of eighteenth century Italy. The documents are short, clear and very precise in his description of the Congregation. They served as an introduction of the Passionists to those who were somehow associated with the Congregation as benefactors, friends and family of the Congregation. They were written twenty years apart from one another – the first in 1747 and the second in 1768. Paul himself was a mature man, tested Founder, mystic and missionary of the Word of God already for more than twenty years as he penned the first circular in 1747. The Congregation had been founded, the first followers had been allowed to profess vows and wear the complete habit of the Institute. In a word, despite the heartaches that were to follow – the Congregation had been planted and the initial growth proved very favourable both in terms of common life and apostolic outreach. The second of the documents is a similar circular, addressed to the same audience, in which the old man, Paul of the Cross, again outlines the life and apostolate of the Passionists. Written in 1768 – it reflects the struggle of the previous twenty years of tending this tender shoot to maturity. It is structurally simpler than the previous document and perhaps tinged with a certain sense that some compromises had to be made, but the tender shoot had laid down roots that were more stable and more fruitful than the earlier Congregation – a work in progress still, but a mature Institute. While it would be wrong to over emphasize this element – nonetheless a certain reading would be appropriate to indicate that there is some development in Paul’s own personal appreciation of the Congregation. These two documents are included to give a sense of what Paul had founded – and the Congregation that he had left at his death just seven years later in 1775. It sets the stage for the next two documents. John Baptist Gorresio Father Gorresio was the First General Consultor, or Vice General upon the death of the Founder, Paul of the Cross. He served as Acting General from 1775 until 1778 when he was elected in his own right as Superior General of the Congregation. He served in this role for a total of two terms, interrupted in 1784 for a period of six years, and elected once more in 1790 to serve a final term as General. The document that Father Gorresio wrote is the circular letter to the Congregation upon the death of the Founder on 18th October 1775. Again, this is a short document that outlines the events surrounding the final illness and death of Paul of the Cross. It is simple not only in content, but also reflects the real anguish that Gorresio felt upon being called to lead the 4 Institute after the death of the Founder. It is touching, but also informative, of how unworthy the writer felt, as he took up this unasked for burden. John Baptist Gorresio was one of the key characters in the Congregation over the next twenty-six years after Paul of the Cross died. Besides being an outstanding religious personally, he was all too aware of his limitations, which were obvious not only to himself but also to many of the religious who were his subjects. He suffered from severe scruples his entire life – and a certain inflexibility that marked the future of the Congregation for the next century.