In the Church of Our Lady of the Snows

in 1721, St Paul of the Cross vowed to consecrate himself to promoting the memory of the Passion of Christ.

"During the summer of 1721 Paul went to Rome with the intention of having an audience with the Holy Father that he might reveal his inspiration concerning the future Congregation. The officials at the Quirinal, the then residence of the Popes, would not permit him entrance, thinking he was some kind of beggar. Accepting this humiliation in imitation of Jesus Crucified, he went to the basilica of St. Mary Major and, before the image of Our Lady 'Salus Populi Romani', took the vow to consecrate himself to promoting the memory of the Passion of Jesus Christ. "

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