The Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center will soon hold an annual retreat for Catholic men. The event is set to start at 7 a.m., on Saturday, Apr. 9, until 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Apr. 11.
'Portrait of Christ: Encountering the Truth'
According to their Facebook event announcement, the theme of the retreat is “Portrait of Christ: Encountering the Truth.” It will focus on the words and works of St. Paul the Apostle and St. Paul of The Cross.
The retreat will include a celebration of the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, conferences, discussions, and time for prayer and spiritual direction.
The program will reportedly tackle questions about Jesus Christ and modern society. The retreat promises a “unique opportunity to “paint a portrait” of Christ through exploring various encounters with Him and with others in their lives as experienced through the Scriptures, at home, in their parish communities, and out in the world.”
Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center
The Passionists founded the Holy Name Retreat Center in 1953. According to their Facebook page, they offer Catholic Retreats, Hispanic Ministry, a 12-Step Recovery Program, and a Host Program.
The retreat has its roots in 1946 in the mind of the fourth bishop of Galveston-Houston, Bishop Christopher Bryne. From its beginnings, the center only offered limited Men’s retreats.
Today, the retreat center serves over 6,000 men, women, couples, and children every year. The retreat center has a ministry team and staff caring for and guiding everyone who comes to their doors.
Its mission is to keep the vision of St. Paul of the Cross. They provide hospitality, healing, compassion, and opportunities for spiritual growth for all.
St. Paul of the Cross
St. Paul of the Cross reportedly founded the Passionists. The man was a visionary, mystic, and seeker.
According to the Passionists of the Holy Cross Province page, the saint was born as Paul Daneo on Jan. 3, 1964, in Ovada, Italy. He reportedly experienced the military and had a promising future in the financial world. However, he chose to answer God’s call after hearing a sermon on the sufferings of Jesus.
All throughout his life, he reached out to the people who felt that God abandoned them. The saint was known to travel the countryside to preach to the people living at the margins of society about faith, compassion, and loving redemption.
From 1720 to 1741, the then priest gathered companions to create a community to spread his message. Eventually, after receiving an official Church rejection, Paul received his first papal authority for the foundation of his religious order, the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The community’s first name was “The Poor of Jesus.”
During this time, he continued his advocacies toward the neglected and preached to the clergy to remind them of their calling to serve the neglected. He also wanted the community to live their lives as apostles, fostering and developing their spirit for the love of Jesus.
Today, the order continues the mission with its apostolic communities working for the coming of God’s Kingdom.
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