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HANDMAIDS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
The Community of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood was founded on May 25, 1947 (Pentecost Sunday) by Father Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P. MOTHERHOUSE: Villa Cor Jesu, Jemez Springs, New Mexico LIFE: A contemplative community (though not strictly cloistered) dedicated to the sanctification of priests and committed to living an intensive life of prayer, charity and unity, centered around the Person of Jesus Christ, our Eucharistic King. The Sisters strive in all they do to be deeply loyal to Christ and to His Church. In the tradition of their Founder, they express this particularly by their fidelity to the Vicar of Christ on earth, our Holy Father the Pope. Mindful that spiritual afflictions are much more regrettable than physical or even mental distress, the Handmaids see in priestly souls a challenge to their generosity. They recognize that the fruition of their life of prayer and selfimmolation is to be realized in a hidden life of deep personal sacrifice and constant prayerful intercession before Our Eucharistic King in the interest of the entire Catholic Priesthood. SPIRIT: The spirit of the congregation is that of the unbounded love of Jesus Christ for His Priests. The life of the members of the community, living together in the spirit of the beatitudes and animated with a fervent spirit of sacrificial love, is a blend of the contemplative Marylife and the active Marthalife, keeping ever in mind Christ's words that, "It is Mary who has chosen the better part." ( Luke 10:42) LIFE OF PRAYER: Eucharistic Sacrifice begins our day with the Sisters chalicing in spirit the Precious Blood for His needy Priests. All participate each morning in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, by uniting at the Altar with Christ as Victim, and with the Priest and the entire community. PERPETUAL ADORATION: After receiving Our Lord with all His love and strength in Holy Communion, the Handmaids keep Him company, each privileged with an hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed on our Altars. DIVINE OFFICE: When chanting the Divine Office in union with Christ, we serve the whole Church in this most efficacious prayer for the salvation of the world. THE ROSARY: As a truly mystical extension of the life of our Blessed Mother, how fitting that the Rosary should have a special, permanent place in our prayerlife. PERSONAL PRAYER: We must never cease advancing into the Heart of Christ by interior prayer and meditation. SPIRITUAL READING: As a wellspring of prayer, reflective reading, especially of Sacred Scripture, is an integral part of our daily life. SILENCE: An atmosphere of quiet expresses to others the Presence of God. Exterior as well as interior silence is necessary to a life of prayer and recollection. THE APOSTOLATE In the spirit of the Constitutions, the apostolate of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood is twofold: it is contemplative and active. On the contemplative side we lead a distinctive life of prayer and sacrifice aiming to give spiritual assistance to Priests and to all the world. On the active side our apostolate seeks to be of service for priests, especially for those in spiritual need, by the use of such channels of grace as will bring them the greatest benefit. Two national organizations, the LAY ASSOCIATES OF THE PRIESTHOOD and THE CONFRATERNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF PRIESTS (for Religious) are filial associates of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood. Members pray and sacrifice for individual Bishops and Priests. The Handmaids distribute authentic spiritual conferences on cassette tapes, given by leading retreat masters, and publish a quarterly periodical, "The Sponsor." The active Apostolate does not take precedence over the life of prayerful contemplation and sacrifice. Nevertheless, it is an essential part of their special dedication to Jesus Christ in His Priests. THE RELIGIOUS HABIT: The Habit is of winered color (symbolizing the Precious Blood), anklelength, with a white headcovering. The Habit includes a scapular with emblem of a chalice attached, the veil and the Rosary. A ring is worn by the perpetually professed Sisters. The Habit is worn inside and outside of the convent. It is uniform for all professed Sisters. FORMATION PERIOD: The religious training of candidates extends ordinarily over a period of three years. Postulancy: one year CONTACT one of the following: Vocation Director Vocation Director [Updated 2/22/99] |
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