Handmaids' News Blog
Shortly after we prayed Lauds and Terce, some Sisters out for exercise enjoyed an unexpected treat watching a hot air balloon near the monastery. The burners could be heard as it descended for a landing nearby. These largely silent aircraft move quietly with the air currents, a beauty that doesn’t disturb the peace around the pastures and hills. We hope …
We were recently blessed that our Aspirant Chrissy was able to make an extended visit. This allowed her to spend time with our formation group and participate in the life of the community and experience the Handmaid charism, especially our lives of sacrifice and eucharistic adoration for the sanctification of priests. She has now returned home to Illinois where she …
We were blessed to be able to participate in prayer with the recent Vocations Day for Young Women hosted at Saint Joseph’s School in Knoxville. As we have done in similar venues (Steubenville Vocations Day, FOCUS, or Knights of Columbus conventions) a table was set up so that even the absent cloistered nuns would have some physical presence. We joined …
The first convent outside of New Mexico was to another climate far different from the desert southwest: Vermont! Randolph, VT was the location of the Precious Blood convent and the Handmaids sent there had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the marvels of winter, especially shoveling snow! Enjoy these old photos, posted in a Tennessee August, to cool down a bit …
While the Mary, Mother of Priests Garden isn’t on a mountain summit, it commands a beautiful view from its location on the hilltop, even in the hazy days of summer. Even on clear days of summer.
Among our treasures in the archives is a papal blessing parchment for our community from early in Saint John Paul II’s pontificate.
In 1947, when our Founder Father Gerald began two religious communities, he considered the bishop who invited his apostolate of prayer for priests into his diocese to be a co-founder. In the very early pioneering days Archbishop Edwin Byrne of Santa Fe met with and celebrated Mass for the early Handmaids with fatherly regularity. We are happy to have in …
Of the first women who came to join the Handmaids of the Precious Blood in May 1947 only one, Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity, persevered. Yet she was paralyzed below the waist from polio. Perhaps, like the late Cardinal George who contracted polio at 13 and was thus rejected by a Chicago preparatory seminary, Sister Elizabeth also experienced rejection and …
As we look at the world today, we see many people longing again for heroes and leaders. The best heroes are the saints and godly men and women willing to give their lives for others. Our Founder would never have considered himself a hero. However, here is a little known story about Father Gerald: In 1954 some campers in the Jemez …
Our Tribute To Pope Saint John Paul II (originally published to celebrate his beatification in May 2011) Priest…Pope…Son of Mary…. these words describe Saint John Paul II. But how does one describe his impact on one’s soul? When one meets the Vicar of Christ and sees Peter from Galilee as well as Karol from Krakow, what has really happened? Perhaps it …
Our Tribute To Pope Saint John Paul II (originally published to celebrate his beatification in May 2011) Priest…Pope…Son of Mary…. these words describe Saint John Paul II. But how does one describe his impact on one’s soul? When one meets the Vicar of Christ and sees Peter from Galilee as well as Karol from Krakow, what has really happened? Perhaps it …
It’s July and our nation just celebrated Independence Day. Our Founder after serving the Church as a diocesan priest and a religious order priest, served both God and country when he signed up to be an Army Chaplain in World War II. Being in his fifties didn’t dissuade him. He rose to the rank of Captain and served stateside and …