Companions in Holiness

(Passionist Constitutions)

Among the early companions of Saint Paul of the Cross were many whose reputation for holiness is still remembered in the Congregation. Paul’s first and most outstanding companion was his own brother, the venerable John Baptist (Danei) of Saint Michael the Archangel, who received the habit a year after his older brother and was Paul’s faithful companion until his death in 1765, ten years before Paul. Other saintly men among the first companions include Father Fulgenzio (Pastorelli) of Jesus, Father Marcaurelio (Pastorelli) of the Blessed Sacrament, Father Tommaso Maria (Struzzieri) of the Side of Jesus, the venerable Brother Giacomo (Gianiel) of Saint Aloysius, and Paul’s first biographer, Saint Vincent Mary Strambi.