Elizabeth Prout You are here: Home / Elizabeth Prout Elizabeth Prout – Mother Mary Joseph Foundress of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion Elizabeth Prout was born in Shrewsbury, England, in 1820. Her parents baptised her in the Anglican Church. In her early twenties she became a Catholic. Elizabeth moved to Manchester in 1849. There, touched by the misery and deprivation of the poor, she and a few companions came together to form a community to help the voiceless, downtrodden workers in the large industrial towns of nineteenth-century England. The community was directed and helped by two Passionists, Father Gaudentius Rossi and Father Ignatius Spencer. The rule was based on that of St Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionists. Elizabeth recognised that the Passion of Jesus is the great sign of God’s love reaching out to those in pain. Now known as Mother Mary Joseph, Elizabeth continued to meet the challenges presented to her in her life of suffering, and to grow in solidarity with the crucified of the world. She died on 11th January 1864 at Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire. Her body, together with that of Blessed Dominic Barberi C.P. and Father Ignatius Spencer C.P., lies in the shrine of St Anne’s Church, Sutton. People gather around the shrine annually to commemorate their lives. Hymn in honour of Elizabeth Prout sung and composed by Liam Lawton. Who would hear His voice Who would see His eyes Who would walk His way Reveal His truth, His life Who would speak His word To lift us should we fall Broken for the Broken In tender love for all. Who would bear the light Where shadows still abide Lift the weary hearts to Journey side by side Who would speak with hope In words to calm all fear Broken for the broken Revealing God so near. Tell the world of God’s great compassion Fan the flame in brightness arrayed In God’s love our hearts are re–fashioned Holy Lord, you call us each by name. Who will bring to life The dry and barren land Feed the homeless poor So all might understand What you do to one You do unto the Lord Broken for the Broken To touch the face of God. Who will dare to dream Believe ~ beyond all doubt God had chosen you ~ O bless’d Elizabeth Prout A woman for all time Of passion, love and truth Broken for the broken We pledge our lives anew. 00:00 00:00 Address Sisters of the Cross and Passion Provincialate, Cross and Passion Convent, 299 Broadshaw Road, Middleton, Manchester M24 2PF Tel: 0161 655 3184 Recent Posts St Paul’s Weekly Newsletter: 250 Week 1 – Advent 2021 St Paul’s Post Weekly Newsletter: 248 Tess Lambe Bursary St Paul’s Weekly Newsletter: 247 Sisters of the Cross and Passion - 299 Boarshaw Road, Middleton, Manchester, M24 2PF. Tel: 0161 655 3184 Sisters of the Cross and Passion CIO is a registered charity (charity number 1185348). It is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales, whose principal office is at 299 Boarshaw Road, Middleton, Manchester M24 2PF © Copyright - Sisters of the Cross and Passion | Web Design by A-XDigital