St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775) holy medal

St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775) holy medal Memorial is October 19. The son of Luca Daniel and Anna Maria Daneo; he was the second of sixteen children born to the couple, ten of whom died in infancy. Paolo was baptized at the age of 3 days, and was raised in a pious family; his father, a merchant, was known for his deep faith, and a brother and close uncle were both priests. Paolo was known as a pious child who attended daily Mass, but he wasn’t confirmed until he was 25 years old, a common practice of the time. In 1701 the family moved from Ovada to Castellazo Bormida, and Paolo received his early education at a boy’s school run by a priest in Cremolino, Italy. In 1713 he had what became known as a “conversion” experience, which convinced Paolo that he was called to religious life. He declined an arranged marriage, and when he received an inheritance from a rich uncle, a priest, he kept only the man’s breviary and refused the wealth. In 1715 he volunteered for the military service in