Holy Vows and Holy Bookends

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

As Handmaids, we find it is sometimes difficult to explain our way of life to outsiders, Catholic and non-Catholic, family, friends, or strangers. Summarizing, as we did in the cartoon we posted on July 9th, that the word, “Fiat!” is best, may not be clear enough for those who are not nuns. It may seem too simple or facile. So …

Sister Christiana with her Mom Sandy and sister Sunny

Final Vows as a Handmaid for Sister Christiana

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

On the First Friday of July 2017, July 7th, we were blessed by God to have the Profession of Final Vows as a Handmaid of the Precious Blood of Sister Christiana of Christ the King. Bishop Richard F. Stika, Bishop of Knoxville, celebrated the Mass and in addition, we were honored to have His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop Emeritis …

Sister Rose Anne of Jesus at Villa Cor Jesu in Jemez Springs, NM July 22, 1966

Jesus Picks His Rose

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

Our dear little warrior, Sister Rose Anne of Jesus, had a surprise for us on July 1st, 2017, First Saturday and the traditional Feast of the Precious Blood. Though we knew Our Lord was drawing her closer to his eternal abode, we did not anticipate how swiftly the Master would enter the garden of souls and select his Handmaid on …

Silver Jubilee for Sister Guadalupe

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th, 2016, Sister Guadalupe D’Emmanuel of the Holy Trinity, celebrated her Silver Jubilee of Vows as a Handmaid of the Precious Blood. The day was marked by much joy and festivity, a beautiful Mass during which Sister formally renewed her vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience in the hands of Rev. Mother Marietta, …

Priest Chalkboard In Our refectory

Our Priest Chalkboard

A HandmaidPRIESTS, Charism, HISTORY, HPB Vocations

HOW DID THE PRIEST CHALKBOARD START? People sometimes wonder how the Handmaids came to start writing specific priests’ names on our chalkboard in our refectory. They want to know if these are special priests, or priests in trouble, or particularly great priests. They want to know why certain names appear and when. Well, we do one Diocese at a time. …

Sister Rose Anne of Jesus at Villa Cor Jesu in Jemez Springs, NM July 22, 1966

Fifty Golden Years!

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

On June 17th, 2016 the Handmaids of the Precious Blood enjoyed the special milestone of our fifth Handmaid to persevere through a half a century, fifty years, of vowed religious life. Sister Rose Anne of Jesus, recently arrived from Illinois to finally settle down in East Tennessee, spent the day in community celebration as all the stops were pulled out …

Standing Room Only for the Farewell Mass

Farewell Mass at Lake Villa

A HandmaidHISTORY

While we celebrated the formal farewell Mass for our Sisters at the Heart of Mary Priory in Lake Villa, IL on May 7th, 2016, we haven’t shared photos until now. That’s because we were busy getting ready to move. The May 7th Mass with Bishop Rassas was heavily attended with over 200 people crowding into Saint Therese building. We are …

Father Gerald, still in his Holy Cross habit, with the very first Handmaids in 1947.

Foundation Day…Our First Ever

A HandmaidHISTORY

Happy Foundation Day! In 1947, on the Feast of Pentecost, May 25th, the Handmaids of the Precious Blood were founded. Ever since, we’ve marked May 25th as the anniversary of our beginnings in New Mexico. But this year is a different kind of milestone. Why? After all, 69 years doesn’t sound as historical as next year’s 70th will be. We …

Until the monastery is built, this is the arriving Sisters' new home: Mater Dei

Happy Handmaids Arrive Home!

A HandmaidHISTORY

Our two Handmaid Sisters from Lake Villa were ALL smiles, very happy Handmaids, when they arrived at their new HOME in East Tennessee on May 10th, 2016. Despite all the work leading up to packing and flying out, the car rides to and from the airports, and a delayed flight to boot, they stepped onto Appalachian soil refreshed and joyful …

Blessed Sacrament Cemetery: You can barely tell there was an interment so careful and painstaking was the Bridges Funeral Home crew, ensuring every piece of straw was put back in place. A job lovingly well done!

Sister Mel Pierre Comes Home

A HandmaidHISTORY

Timing Is Everything It didn’t surprise us when Sister Mel Pierre took a turn for the worse and entered hospice while staying at the Catholic Charities run Holy Family Villa in Illinois. For three years she offered herself to the Lord as a holocaust for priests in the unique form of suffering that is dementia, while receiving outstanding and loving …

Historic Opening of the Heart of Mary Priory in Lake Villa, IL in 1980

More Handmaids Coming Home!

A HandmaidHISTORY

And these Handmaids are living! We recently shared the exciting news of the final interment of our departed Handmaids in the new Blessed Sacrament Cemetery at Cor Jesu Monastery in New Market. Now we have more good tidings and we ask your prayers as we prepare for the arrival of our five “Lake Villians” from the Heart of Mary Priory …

Home At Last, Home At Last, Thank God Almighty, they’re Home At Last!

A HandmaidHISTORY

Handmaids Come Home to Blessed Sacrament Cemetery On March 29th, 2016, the Handmaids of the Precious Blood celebrated an important milestone in their settlement in New Market, TN. After moving our entire Resurrection Cemetery from Cor Jesu Monastery in Jemez Springs, NM to the Christ, Prince of Peace Retreat Center in Benton, TN in 2013; we did not anticipate moving …