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Founded by Saint Paul of the Cross (Paolo Francesco Danei), the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (Congregatio Passionis Iesu Christi) are a Roman Catholic religious institute whose focus is on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Its members are known as Passionists. Saint Paul of the Cross wrote the Rules of the congregation in 1720, and was given permission to form the congregation by Pope Benedict XIII in 1725. The congregation first served in the hospital of Saint Gallicano, then left Rome to go to Mount Argentario, where they established the institute's first house, situated in a small hermitage near the summit of the mountain, and attached a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony. They were joined by three others, one a priest, and the community began there, where it remains today. Pope Clement XIV gave the community the full rights enjoyed by other religious institutes in 1769, forming them as a Congregation rather than an Order. Its two chief goals are missionary work and contemplative life, as its founder desired a community that combined aspects of the contemplative orders, such as the Trappists, with dyanamic orders like the Jesuits. Over the years, their chief apostolate has been in hosting retreats and in preaching missions. The Passionists seek to teach people how to pray during retreats and missions, giving spiritual direction, and through prayer groups. Given a shortage of priests in the United States, the Passionists often serve as pastors of various parishes. Other than seminaries to train those who wish to become Passionate brothers and priests, the Passionists don't generally open schools and universities, although they do sponsor and run some schools. Founded Father Gaudentius Rossi and Elizabeth Prout (Mother Mary Joseph), in 1850, the Passionist Sisters (Sisters of the Cross and Passion) began as a convent for factory girls, but is now part of the larger Passionist movement and an international congregation.

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