Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “History”
This week, on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we mark our fifth anniversary of arriving in New Market, TN. It has been a busy and fast five years repairing and renovating the buildings to ‘monasticize’ them, adding other structures, building a road, starting the Mary, Mother of Priests Garden, and a host of other milestones along the …
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 …
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 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 …
On May 17th, 2016, the final trio of Handmaids traveled to the new Motherhouse marking an historic homecoming in the life of our community. From this point forward, every celebration in the next year will be a milestone for the simple reason that all of us, for the first time, will be gathered on one property. We’ll share more about …
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 …
On the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16th, 2015, the Handmaids of the Precious Blood moved to our recently acquired property in New Market, Tennessee. With no small debt of gratitude to the many generous souls who helped us achieve this milestone in our community’s history, we look forward to the days ahead as we settle in …
Although the Handmaids of the Precious Blood have been praying and sacrificing for priests since their foundation in 1947, formal programs sharing this Handmaid charism with the outside world didn’t begin until the 1970s. It began first by encouraging other priests, religious and deacons to adopt a priest by name in 1974 which was the start of the Confraternity of Mary, …