The Passionists are a Catholic religious order of brothers, priests, nuns, and laity, founded in 1720 in Italy by St. Paul of the Cross. The Passionists have a particular commitment to keep alive the love Jesus showed for the world through his suffering on the cross. In today’s world, that commitment means that Passionists have a special concern for the poor and suffering of our day: those on the margins, and even the suffering Earth itself.
The Passionist Earth & Spirit Center was founded in 2005 by Passionist priest Fr. Joe Mitchell. Although we became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2010, we continue to maintain a close and meaningful relationship with the Passionist community.
Our mission is ecumenical and interfaith, welcoming people of all spiritual traditions as well as those who do not identify with a particular faith. At the same time, our work remains deeply inspired by the Passionist values of compassion for those who suffer and a commitment to the transformative power of love as a force for personal, spiritual, and social healing.
The Passionists continue to support our mission generously, and the leader of the local Passionist community serves on our board of directors. The Passionist Earth & Spirit Center is an endorsed and affirmed ministry of the Holy Cross Province.
Our Passionist heritage also includes a connection to a particular Passionist, Fr. Thomas Berry. Thomas, who died in 2009, was a brilliant visionary who attempted to put together the spiritual concerns of religion and theology with the new insights of science about our evolving universe and the ecological challenges of our current era. Thomas believed that all of humankind is called to the “Great Work” of transforming our relationship with the sacred Earth: from a relationship that is deeply alienated and destructive to one that is connected, harmonious, and flourishing. Thomas blessed the work of the Earth & Spirit Center; we are grateful to carry on his legacy and to help further the Passionist commitment to radical love for a hurting world.
