Having our dear Sister Rose Anne of Jesus pass away on July 1st, with her funeral on July 3rd so close to Sister Christiana’s profession of solemn vows as a Handmaid on July 7th has kept us very busy. Now, we take an opportunity to share some of the photos from our farewell to Sister Rose Anne, her funeral. Celebrating …
A Petal Fallen: Renewing A Graveside Custom
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
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 …
Final Vows as a Handmaid for Sister Christiana
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 …
Jesus Picks His Rose
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
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, …
Our Priest Chalkboard
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. …
Fifty Golden Years!
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 …
Dear Fathers, Did You Know?
“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 …
“Innerview” with Mother Marietta
Rev. Mother’s “Innerview” with the Institute on Religious Life is published in the November/December Religious Life magazine. Download the PDF or read the article below.
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, …
Four New Priests…Forever!
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 …