The Icon of Our Lady that was given to the Young People of the World by Pope John Paul II is a larger and enhanced version of the original icon that continues to be visited by pilgrims in the Borghese Chapel of the Major Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome today. This is one of the four principal Basilica’s of Rome, together with the Basilica of St John Lateran (Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome), Basilica of St Peter (Vatican), and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.

While the origin of the Icon is uncertain, it has been honoured in the Basilica from the early days of Christendom. At the time of the Great Plague in the 6th Century, it was taken in procession around the streets of Rome. With the lifting of the plague, the people regarded their salvation as being at the intervention of the Virgin Mary. Pope St Gregory the Great gave it the title of “Salus Populi Romani”. Further information on the Icon can be found on the Web.

THE CROSS, THE ICON & THE PASSIONISTS

For the Passionist Communities of men and women across the world, either founded by or inspired by the 18th century mystic St Paul of the Cross, this Icon of Our Lady has a major significance in the development of their Charism. Born as Paul Francis Danei in 1694 in the north west Italian town of Ovada, he was an idealistic young man who grew up in the faith of the people of the town of Castellazzo. He was inspired to share
his faith as a catechist with other young people, he was a leader of prayer groups, and
he founded a sodality of fellow travellers. His first significant pilgrimage from home
was to Venice to join the Crusader Army, being gathered to fight the Ottomans. But within the first year he left this quest seeking another one.

By 1720, he had fasted and been on retreat under the guidance of his Bishop for 40 days, during which time he wrote the first Rule of Life for his future Congregation. Encouraged by his Bishop, and having been clothed in a black tunic (habit), Paul sailed down the west coast of Italy, eventually presenting himself before the main doors of the Quirinale, the Papal Palace, seeking an audience with the Pope. Needless to say, he was not in the court attire of the day, looking more like a beggar, and was sent away by the guards. He felt this rejection deeply, the first of many blockages he was to experience in starting his beloved Congregation. He went across the city to the Basilica of St Mary Major, and kneeling in prayer before the Icon of Santa Maria Neves, Salus Populi Romani, he made his first vow, “To promote the Living Memory of the Passion, and to gather Companions.” Passionists throughout the world see this as their eginning
point.

Father Paul of the Cross died in Rome in 1775 in the Monastery next to the Basilica of Ss John and Paul, near the Colosseum. In the days before he died, the Pope came to visit him at his bedside and asked for his blessing. Paul was 80 years of age. During his life time, the Cross became such a significant part of his preaching ministry that he stood underneath a Mission Cross of 3 metres in height as he preached in churches and town squares from Tuscany through to Naples. Today the Cross and the Icon of Our Lady are central parts of Passionist Spirituality.

Paul was declared a Saint of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1867.

The vow St Paul of the Cross took before the Icon in 1720 is now the primary or first Vow of all Passionists. It is now lived by men and women of several Passionist Congregations throughout the world.

Three of these are present in Australia:
. The Congregation of the Passion (brothers and priests).
. The Sisters of the Cross and Passion.
. The Passionist Sisters of St Paul of the Cross.

These and other communities proudly call themselves Passionist. Other groups and movements have come about through the living of this Charism.
In Australia and New Zealand these are:
. The Passionist Companions.
. The Passionist Family Group Movement.

This coming World Youth Day 2008 will see a large contingent of Young Passionists, single or married, vowed and/or ordained, gathering in Melbourne for the Young Passionist Meeting (YPM) and the Passionist Youth Encounter (PYE). This will co-incide with the Days in the Diocese. A smaller Cross and Icon is already hanging in the Church of St Paul Apostle in Endeavour Hills ready to welcome these Pilgrims, as they too are invited to consider their own vow of life.

We look forward to gathering with all other young pilgrims in Sydney for the great celebration that will be World Youth Day 2008.

FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION

. If you have a cross or a crucifix, hold it in your hands and contemplate the words that the dying and rising Jesus might address to you as you prepare for the great Encounter that will be World Youth Day?

. Take up an image of Mary and Jesus similar to the Icon from St Mary Major's. What words or action of compassion would Mary and Jesus invite you to take up?

by John Pearce CP
john.pearce@passionists.com