A Petal Fallen: Renewing A Graveside Custom

A HandmaidHISTORY, HPB Vocations

When the first Handmaid of the Precious Blood to pass away was buried in New Mexico in the Spring of 1962 a tradition began by the hand of Providence. The cemetery had been an apple orchard and the remaining trees were in bloom. The Archbishop of Santa Fe celebrated the Mass. At the graveside, just as the casket was lowered, …

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 …

Elevation of the Host at Mass

Dear Fathers, Did You Know?

A HandmaidPRIESTS, For Priests, HPB Vocations

“Dear Fathers, did you know?…” [We are happy to republish this post from the later portion of the Jubilee Year for Priests when our Oblates of the Precious Blood shared details of what they were offering for priests. May this continue to provide encouragement and inspiration for all our beloved priests.] We address this page to our dear priests who …

Our Lady of the Precious Blood

Prayers for Priests and Those Destined for the Priesthood

These prayers are prayed by all the Handmaids in chapel each day, usually after Vespers. We commend all priests, living chalices of the Precious Blood, to Our Lady of the Precious Blood in these prayers. We recommend them as a wonderful way to pray for priests while honoring the sheddings of Christ Precious Blood throughout his life. My beloved Jesus, …

Ordinandi lie prostrate. Photo by Stephanie Richer.

Four New Priests…Forever!

A HandmaidHPB Vocations, News, PRIESTS

On June 27, 2015, at Bishop Stika’s special invitation, three Handmaids of the Precious Blood had the privilege of representing our community at the ordinations of Father Jesús Guerrero-Rodriguez, Father Michael Hendershott, Father Ray Powell, and Father Scott Russell. Not surprisingly, the Sisters came home ecstatic over the whole wonderful day. Prominent in their observations were not only the ordinations …