Sisters of the Cross and Passion (also known as the Passionist Sisters) is a Roman Catholic religious institute founded in 19th-century Manchester, England, by Elizabeth Prout, later called Mother Mary Joseph. It is part of the larger Passionist movement.
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Main article: Elizabeth Prout |
The Sisters of the Cross and Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ was founded had in Manchester, England during the 19th century, by Elizabeth Prout (known in religion as Mother Mary Joseph). She was a convert to Catholicism at the time the first Passionist missionaries arrived in England.[1]
Elizabeth Prout worked among the poor mill workers of Manchester, and gathered together a group of dedicated women to serve their needs, both educational and spiritual. This was the beginning of the Sister of the Cross and Passion. The first sisters pronounced their vows in November 1852. Prout's approach was unique for her time, in that her institute did not have specific educational requirements nor dowry. Membership was therefore open to the poor that the community served. Individual talents determined what tasks was assigned.
The Sisters of the Cross and Passion are an international congregation. The largest part of the Congregation is in Great Britain, specifically England, Ireland and Scotland. The United States province has houses in Connecticut and Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and Jamaica, West Indies. Other provinces are in South America, in Chile, Argentina and Peru. There are also sisters working in Australia, Botswana and Papua New Guinea.
Sisters are involved in education, parish work, retreat work, and pastoral care.