Images(2)

Artwork

Object number2016.43.10

Artist Unknown

Date1920-1930

MediumPaper; Ink(?); Paint; Wood; Glass; Metal; Adhesive

Credit LineGift of St. Paul of the Cross Monastery

DescriptionArtwork depicts St. Paul with gray hair, dressed in black robe and mantle, each with the Passionist symbol on proper left breast. St. Paul holds proper left hand up in blessing and holds crucifix in his proper right hand. St. Paul is depicted in three-quarter view, from the waist up, facing proper right. St. Paul has gold halo around head. Background is a diffused decorative patternDimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 23.5 × 19.5 × 2 in. (59.7 × 49.5 × 5.1 cm)
InscriptionsArtwork depicts St. Paul two Passionists symbols on proper left breast, each with the Latin phrase "JESU XPI / PASSIO", which translates to “The Passion of Jesus Christ” .

Reverse has white adhesive paper label in top right corner with black printed text "St. Paul of the Cross Monastery / 148 Monastery Avenue / Pittsburgh, PA 15203-1498".

Reverse has framer label at bottom center has gold text "The / GENESEE / PICTURE / FRAME CO. / 152 E. GENESSEE ST. / BUFFALO. / N. Y."
Historical NotesThis framed artwork of St. Paul of the Cross hung in the hallways of the monastery. St. Paul of the Cross Monastery is the first site of the Passionist Congregation in North America and has been in operation since the mid-19th century. The original building was erected in 1854 (the cornerstone was laid in 1853) after the Bishop of Pittsburgh, Father Michael O’Connor, helped the order secure property on the South Side owned by the Catholic Diocese. The Passionists were begun by Paolo Daneo, known as St. Paul of the Cross, and were based in Italy for its first century; three of the four founders (Frs. Anthony Calandri, Albinus Magno, Stanislaus Parcyzk, and Brother Lawrence DiGiacomo) of St. Paul of the Cross Monastery came from Italy to America as missionaries. The Passionists are dedicated to a life of prayer, poverty, penance, and solitude, and proclaim the love of God for us as seen in Jesus’ cross. Traditionally, they wore a habit of black clothing, including a robe and wool mantle with their insignia, which were originally handmade from felt. The Passionists symbol features the Latin phrase JESU XPI PASSIO, which translates to “The Passion of Jesus Christ,” above three nails representative of the nails from Jesus’ crucifixion. This imagery is in line with the mission of the Passionists to promote the remembrance of Christ’s suffering. The insignia also features the cross, which the Passionists value as a symbol of justice and reminder to serve those in the community who bear the cross today. They also wore leather sandals and a belt of their own design and making and a biretta. This ensemble was abandoned for more modern vestments around the time of Vatican II. The rosaries, crucifixes, and black scapular were devotional items used at the monastery by the Congregation through-out the years. The lithograph of St. Michael’s (L&A) illustrates a church once operated by the Passionists to serve the Polish and German immigrant communities of the South Side. One aspect of the monastic lifestyle is daily prayer, even at night, and the clacker was used before alarm clocks to wake the priests for devotion. The cross was used to ordain men as Passionists and would be carried during the ceremony in which they took their vows, signifying Christ carrying his cross. It is black to remind us of Christ’s death.

Related person Jesus Christ

Related person Paul the Apostle

Related institution The Genesee Picture Frame Company

Related institution Passionists

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