one of the nuns, known then as Sister Mary Candida of the Crucified, opened her heart to him, to tell him the story of her life, and the interior graces God was giving her. Paul recognized in this young nun one whom God was calling.
He told her of his own dream of one day founding a convent of Passionist Nuns, who would spend their life in prayer and penance. in memory of the Passion of Jesus.
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Paul had in fact for many years realized that women as well as men were called to live his spirituality of the Passion.
One of his first converts was a young woman of the Grazi family of Orbetello, Agnes by name. Under Paul's direction Agnes advanced in prayer to mystical union with the Crucified Christ. Paul felt that perhaps one day she would join his convent for Passionist Nuns.
When she died at an early age, Paul accepted God's will but the dream remained.
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Later he began the direction of a Poor Clare Nun of Piombino, Sister Cherubina Bresciani. Again he mentioned to her the possibility of a community of women, dedicated to the Passion.
Another holy woman whom Paul was directing, received a vision of the 'doves', mourning over the wounded Christ on the Cross. Paul saw this as a vision of his future daughters.
But nothing eventuated, although Paul continued to hope.
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As she listened to Father Paul, Candida realized that it was he of whom the Lord had spoken to her. With tears in her heart she told him of her dream, of how God had been working in her life.
~bron~
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