The
Passionist Volunteers were founded in 1973 to bring a Passionist
Presence to communities in need. The main value the program
seeks to embody is to be in communion with the people we serve
and with each other through the shared experience of providing
direct services that address particular needs of a community.
These ideals are made manifest in the building of community,
both among the volunteers themselves, and with the people we
serve, and through a commitment to practical action. “Community
enriches, and is nourished by service in mission” (St. Paul of
the Cross, Const.67).
Over
the last three decades the program has evolved in many ways, but
the vision remains the same, as expressed in the current “Passionist
Volunteer Vision.”
Passionist Volunteers come from a wide diversity of religious
experiences, backgrounds, and spiritual expressions (see
who are we?). Through
their experiences in the program, the volunteers change and grow
intellectually and spiritually. They are impelled to further
action when they return to their families and their own
communities. The local community in which the program works is
changed as well, both by receiving pragmatic assistance and by
encountering Christ. The Passionist Volunteer Vision, when put
into action, truly enables us to “Act justly, love mercy and
walk humbly with our God” (Micah 5:8).
The
Passionist Volunteer Program chooses certain locations that
offer the best opportunity to fulfill our Vision. In
particular, we look for areas that are underserved by government
or other volunteer groups, locations that marked by deep
poverty, where the people are depressed, isolated, and
suffering. “Passionists are not to neglect services to the
poor, incommodious and troublesome places” (St. Paul of the
Cross, Rule Chap. 24, Sec.5). Although acute needs are
addressed, we especially seek out areas where chronic systemic
problems exist. In doing so, we are particularly sensitive to
those who have been abandoned, and take to heart our obligation
to be committed to them. “The love of God is ingenious, and is
proved not so much by the words, as by the deeds and example of
the lovers” (St. Paul of the Cross, Rule Chap 16). In all this,
we look for an opportunity to come to a community that has a
particular need for the Passionist Volunteer charism.
The
Passionist Volunteer Program chooses certain locations that
offer the best opportunity to fulfill our Vision. In
particular, we look for areas that are underserved by government
or other volunteer groups, locations that marked by deep
poverty, where the people are depressed, isolated, and
suffering. “Passionists are not to neglect services to the
poor, incommodious and troublesome places” (St. Paul of the
Cross, Rule Chap. 24, Sec.5). Although acute needs are
addressed, we especially seek out areas where chronic systemic
problems exist. In doing so, we are particularly sensitive to
those who have been abandoned, and take to heart our obligation
to be committed to them. “The love of God is ingenious, and is
proved not so much by the words, as by the deeds and example of
the lovers” (St. Paul of the Cross, Rule Chap 16). In all this,
we look for an opportunity to come to a community that has a
particular need for the Passionist Volunteer charism.