Monday, February 9, 2009

Processing through Time-175th Anniversary of the Sisters of the Precious Blood

It is beneficial to consider how we can conduct a kind of procession through time. We see this as the Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPPS) celebrate their 175th anniversary. They describe themselves this way:

We are an apostolic congregation rooted in Eucharistic prayer and motivated by the great gift of the Precious Blood of Jesus poured out for all.

The foundress of the Sisters of the Precious Blood was Mother Maria Anna Brunner:

She was a married woman, a mother of six children, a widow, and, at age 68, the foundress of a congregation of women religious.

Maria Anna had a deep love for the Eucharist and a great heart for the poor.

She had a special devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus and spent many hours in prayer and reflection. Her daily work of caring for orphans and feeding the hungry was built upon her prayer life.

Maria Anna’s dedication attracted other women to join her. Soon this little group became the nucleus of what was to become, in 1834, the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Mother Maria Anna Brunner died in 1836, but her work continues. Today, on three continents, Sisters of the Precious Blood build on her vision, living their mission of Eucharistic prayer, simplicity, outreach to the poor and reconciliation.


For 175 years, the Sisters of the Precious Blood have been building on Mother Maria Anna Brunner's vision, following Jesus in the Eucharist, especially in his Precious Blood, through the years, decades, even centuries, as they process through time with their eyes fixed on Jesus. Their adoration takes them to the poor, to bring Jesus to them.

Let us pray that God will richly bless the Sisters of the Precious Blood during this 175th anniversary year, bringing them many new vocations. Fr. John Hardon, S.J. has written about the connection between the Eucharist and vocations, which you can find here.

2 comments:

the booklady said...

I love Father Hardon! Thank you for this link. A dear friend of mine worked as his personal assistant for years and is still transcribing his tapes and notes for inclusion in his biography. I can hardly wait to read it but I think it's still a few more years away.

God bless!

Pete Caccavari said...

I haven't read much of Fr. Hardon's work, but I have often heard about him. I understand he did a catechism that is very good. It must be amazing to know someone who was Fr. Hardon's personal assistant. Good to know that there is more in the works from and about Fr. Hardon.