Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “History”
One of the many fruits of our Diamond Jubilee year and its aftermath has been opening the archives and sharing the many hidden treasures from our past. In particular, it’s allowed our formation Sisters to learn more about the Handmaid pioneers that went before us, even as we continue on our own type of pioneering journey in East Tennessee. So …
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 …
On this date, May 25th, 1947, the Feast of Pentecost, the Handmaids of the Precious Blood began in Jemez Springs, NM. To celebrate our 73rd Anniversary of Foundation Day we want to share a few archive photos. We thank God for our Founder, Father Gerald, and the pioneering spirit of our first Handmaids. When you give your life to God, …
A close observer of our contemplative community once gave a brief description of our life to a friend as follows, “These Sisters don’t just pray for priests; they live for them!” What are we doing here in Knoxville? We are here to live and give our lives most particularly for priests and their sanctification. Each priest has been called to live …
Thanks to the generosity of our Chaplains, we were able to have Holy Week, Triduum, and Easter at “home” for the first time since our move to TN. In fact, its the first time since 1950 all Handmaids could celebrate these high holy days together in one place. Since our move to the Diocese of Knoxville in 2013, Holy Week …
Easter approaches! It’s Holy Week! Our Crucifix and statues are covered in Chapel. We are unpacking and digging out processional crosses, candles and bells, dusting, scrubbing, and polishing. We are preparing and printing out booklets with hymns, music, and prayers for each wonderful event that marks Holy Week and the Triduum. Choir practices are brushing up on Passion and Paschaltide …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Former Cor Jesu Monastery in Jemez Springs, New Mexico sold to Jemez Pueblo Saint Joseph, patron Saint of real estate sales, came through for the Handmaids of the Precious Blood in the recent sale of their Motherhouse to the Jemez Pueblo. There was no need to bury statues upside down, we simply trusted in Divine Providence and the close protective …
A True Prophet for the Priesthood The Life and Legacy of Very Rev. Gerald M.C. Fitzgerald, s.P. (Text presented with the kind permission of the Institute on Religious Life. This article was first published in their magazine Religious Life, March/April 2010 Issue. For more information you can visit https://irl.solutiosoftware.com/) We’ve added several photos of our Founder to the article we …
Mother David Marie of Our Mother of Sorrows Entered 2 February 1955 First Vows 10 July 1958 Final Vows 10 July 1961 Mother General 1978 – 1995 As a means of allowing priests, deacons, religious, and laity a way to share in our charism of prayer and sacrifice for priests, Mother established the Oblates of the Precious Blood in 1981 …