Passionist

[ pash-uh-nist ]

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. a member of the “Congregation of Barefooted Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” founded in 1720 and engaged chiefly in missionary work.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Passionist¹

From the Italian word passionista, dating back to 1840–50. See passion, -ist

Example Sentences

Speaking Monday on “CNN This Morning,” the Rev. Edward L. Beck, a priest of the Passionist order, told co-host Poppy Harlow that Jesus’s life has “parallels to our current world situation right now” that “you can’t make up.”

From Washington Times

He still regularly works in Ardoyne in his role as director of the Passionist Peace and Reconciliation Office on the Crumlin Road and has retained his close ties with the local community.

From BBC

The Passionist religious order in Britain has been working on his sainthood cause for decades, investigating his life and writings.

From Reuters

The Vatican said on Saturday that the pope had approved a decree recognizing the “heroic virtues” of George Spencer, a priest of the Passionist religious order who lived from 1799 to 1864.

From Reuters

Portions of the grounds of the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center were “marred” by spray paint, according to a Facebook post by the monastery.

From Washington Times