A Special Vow
The
special insignia of every Passionist is the "Sign", the heart-shaped
emblem you see on this page. It catches, in an image, the meaning of Passionist
life.
In the middle of the emblem are the Words, Jesu XPI Passio. Written in Greek
and Latin, the languages of the early Church. Those words mean: "the
Passion of Jesus Christ," (The three nails at the bottom and the cross at
the top remind us symbolically of His suffering and death.)
Every Passionist takes a special vow, a solemn promise, to spend
his energies
in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus. This vow defines the
purpose of the Passionist community. We pledge to keep deep in our hearts the
memory of the cross and to do what is in our power to remind others of it.
Why promise to do something like this? The answer lies with the meaning of
the cross and death of Jesus Christ for the world.
First, the death of Jesus was no mere brutal execution of an extraordinary
Jewish teacher and prophet long ago. His death was an event that changed human
history. Jesus died that others might live. God so loved the world that he
allowed his only Son to give his very life for us. The cross becomes the symbol
telling us God's love is stronger than death. Passionists want to tell the world
about that love.
But there are other reasons for the Passionist vow. Jesus' death on the cross
was a death in the cause of justice. He was executed because he challenged
accepted values. He sided with the poor and the outcasts. He condemned
oppressive structures. Jesus was a prophet and prophets meet strong opposition.
His cross reminds us that Christians must listen to the cries of the poor. We
are in solidarity with those whom society may forget or even exploit. The cross
is a sign of justice. To remind the world about the cross is to challenge the
world for its injustice and neglect. Passionists are pledged to that challenge.
Finally, remembering the cross means remembering those in the world who bear
the cross today: the disabled, the sick, the dying, the grieving, those isolated
and alone -- all who bear the burden of pain. Jesus identified himself with the
"least". He shared their burdens and brought them hope. He, too, bore
the cross.
Christians who believe in Jesus find strength in the memory of his Passion.
Jesus knew pain and death. He also tasted the victory of everlasting life. Death
is not the final word for those who believe. This , too, is part of the
Resurrection message Passionists proclaim to the world.
The special sign we wear is meant to symbolize a solemn commitment to
proclaim God's great love made known through the cross of Jesus. We nourish that
memory in our hearts through prayer. We share that good news with all the world.
We proclaim it through preaching, in our parishes and retreat centers, through
radio and television, and by our presence in hospitals, classrooms, campuses,
missions and those ministries of service to the community.
-- Don Senior, C.P.
