He built it, and they came

	St. Paul of the Cross When: 1694-1775 Where: Italy What: Preacher and founder of the Passionists Feast: Oct. 20 (U.S., Oct. 19 in general church calendar)

In the movie, Field of Dreams, the main character hears a message: "If you build it, they will come." So he builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield and years later, in real life, people still come to play ball on that diamond.

St. Paul of the Cross acted in a similar way to a vision he had and his actions - the founding of a religious congregation - are still having an effect nearly 300 years later.

Paul Danei was born near Genoa, Italy, into a family of poor merchants. At age 15, he decided to lead an austere life. When he was 19, he enlisted in the Venetian army and hoped to die as a martyr in battle against the Turks. After a year, the army discharged him and he returned to a life of prayer and penance.

When he was 26, Paul had a vision of Mary telling him to start an order to preach the Passion of Jesus. She was wearing a black habit with the name Jesus and a white cross on the chest.

After receiving permission from his bishop, Paul went on a 40-day retreat where he wrote the order's rule. Then, he and his brother, John, went to Rome to seek papal approval. It was denied at first, but within five years Pope Benedict XIII approved the order and two years later ordained them.

At first, they had trouble keeping novices because the rule was so strict, but within a few years the rule was modified and the Barefooted Clerks of the Holy Cross and Passion - the Passionists - were in great demand in Italy because of their missions.

At these missions, Paul had the large crowds join in processions, sing hymns and say prayers, do penance and go to confession. He also rang the church bells to remind the people of their own mortality and he even scourged himself.

He was given credit for convincing sinners and criminals to return to the church. He also was well-known for his work with the dying. He was said to have the gift of prophecy and physical healing and to be able to appear to people in distant locales. He was so popular that people jostled each other to touch him and to get part of his clothing as a relic.

Despite his protests, his fellow Passionists chose him to be their first leader, a position he held for the rest of his life. Under his leadership, the Passionists added 12 foundations and two provinces. He even started a congregation of cloistered Passionist nuns shortly before his death.

Paul of the Cross urged people to pray, but not to worry if they couldn't spend much time in prayer. "To act well is always to pray well," he said. "Be attentive to your duties, and at the same time be attentive to God by frequently purifying your heart in the immense ocean of divine love."