Passionist Summer Institute 2026

5 Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,

6 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

7 Rather, he emptied himself,taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;and found human in appearance,
8 he humbled himself,becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.9 Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the namethat is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess thatJesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Reflection Question

Why was it important for the Son of God to be born into a minority class?

Fr. Clemente Barrón, CP, is Passionist priest from Holy Cross Province. He has been active especially in Hispanic ministry and evangelization in the United States. He has served at Provincial Consultor for Holy Cross Province as well as General Consultor for the Passionist worldwide. For serval years he served Spanish-speaking ministries in San Antonio, TX, and served on national boards for Hispanic ministries. He is presently local superior for the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Community in Sierra Madre, CA.

Brian Owens, an Iraq War veteran, serves as Board Chair at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat & Conference Center (Detroit, MI) and is the Principal at St. Anselm School (Dearborn Heights, MI). Brian brings 22 years of experience in education, with a background in both Catholic and public schools. He spent 13 years in the classroom, primarily teaching middle school math and ELA, and has served as an administrator for the past nine years.

"We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now..."

Romans 8:22 (NABRE)

”The universe is composed of subjects to be communed with, not objects to be exploited. Everything has its own voice. Thunder and lightning and stars and planets, flowers, birds, animals, trees, – all these have voices, and they constitute a community of existence that is profoundly related.

–  Fr. Thomas Berry, CP

Evening Thoughts: Reflections on Earth as a Living Community

Reflection Question

If “the whole creation is groaning,” where do we most clearly hear that cry today—in vulnerable bodies, damaged ecosystems, unequal healthcare systems, polluted water and soil, or the loneliness of dying—and what does Catholic bioethics ask of us in response?

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, but raised in Italy, Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, CP, has been a Passionist priest since 1996. He is fluent in six languages and has served in leadership, education, and pastoral outreach in a number of countries, including Italy, Haiti, and the United States. He was elected as the President of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 2025. He has a Ph.D. in healthcare ethics. He will lead an institution that trains students from more than 40 countries for leadership in the global Church. 

“Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations.”

Psalm 90

Passionist Father Bob Joerger served as Director of Saint Gabriel’s Youth Retreat House on Shelter Island, NY, before serving as Provincial Superior of St. Paul of the Cross Province and General Consultor in Rome. He is currently campus minister at Manhattan University founded by the De LaSalle Christian Brothers.

Talib Huff is a retired teacher who has been working with the Passionists in retreat ministry for the last 20 years. He is a member of the retreat preaching team at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, CA, and currently serves on the Provincial Leadership Team as a Lay Councilor.