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

The church bell was ringing, the monks of the Passionist monastery were getting up for their midnight offices.

From Project Gutenberg

Anne Kearns has the lumbago for which she rubs on Lourdes water, given her by a lady who got a bottleful from a passionist father.

From Project Gutenberg