candida -5

Paul continued to direct her as one very special.

Years later, Paul recalled their first meeting. In his Christmas letter of 1764, he wrote of it: "I hope to see you clothed in the same habit of the Most Holy Passion of Jesus Christ which I wear.  God entrusted your soul to me many years ago."

Later he wrote again:

"If God will give me life and strength to see the foundation through, it is most certain that you shall be the first to be clothed in the habit of the most holy Passion. I hope to give it to you with my own hands, for the glory of Jesus Christ and Holy Mary. However, keep this as a secret in your heart..."

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Paul saw the convent of the nuns as belonging to the Institute of the Passion.  He wanted the Passionist Nuns to be the 'Second Order' of his institute - as the Poor Clares are with the Franciscans, and the Carmelite Nuns among the Carmelites.

This meant that the first convent could not be built until the male branch was firmly established as a religious order with solemn vows, clerical jurisdiction and exemption, subject only to the Holy See.  Until solemn vows were granted, Paul did not take steps to found the Passionist convent for his many spiritual daughters.

But God had other plans.

When Mother Mary Crucified was sick in the infirmary in 1741, Jesus appeared to her and said: "Rise up now, I will restore your health. But on the condition that in due time you found a monastery of nuns, who will have as their purpose the honoring of my sorrowful Passion.  You yourself will have to enter it, and you must cooperate in its foundation."


~bron~