We may have one less Aspirant but that is only because Sarah entered the Postulancy! Congratulations! And that’s not the only change this month! Guess who is about to enter the Novitiate! Postulant Chrissy!
First Vows!
Our Sister Maria Crucis of Saint Joseph professed her First Vows for three years as a Handmaid of the Precious Blood on April 10th, 2024. Deo gratias and Alleluia!
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS: WHITE VEIL
If you are a lifelong Catholic and encountered religious sisters over the years, you may have noticed that in some communities that the color of the veil can signify whether the sister has been professed or not. Not infrequently over the years, Handmaids have been asked about our white veils by others assuming they are speaking to a novice or …
Religious Symbols: HPB Emblem
The scapular of a professed Handmaid of the Precious Blood bears a Trinitarian emblem worn over the heart and features a white dove (the Holy Spirit) hovering over a golden chalice (a living chalice of the Precious Blood: a priest) on a field of red outlined in blue to honor Our Lady. It’s a visual hint of our mission in …
Religious Symbols: Crown of Thorns
When we take our final vows, part of the ceremony is receiving and wearing a crown of thorns. A real one. We use pyracantha (otherwise called, very appropriately, firethorn) to fashion the crown. Since our veils are white, symbolizing the Eucharist, the Mother Prioress tries not to draw any blood either through the thorns or when pinning the crown to …
Religious Symbols: Profession Ring
Did you know our profession rings, while simple, were designed by our Founder to incorporate two hearts and a chalice and that we all have the same words inscribed inside them? The hearts pay tribute to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary while the chalice reminds us of our mission in the Church to offer …
Our Habit
Our Habit: Crimson Robes “The Precious Blood of Jesus is your wedding garment, dear Handmaids, treasure it for it speaks to you of love.” – Father Gerald, s.P. Founder Why is our apparel red? Why do the Handmaids wear red? Precisely, why do we wear wine-red? And white veils? What do the symbols of the habit and veil mean? When our …
Profession of Vows
Come, Bride of Christ A Closer Look at the Ceremony of Profession of Vows It takes a long time to make a nun…at least nine years, but no more than twelve, for a Handmaid of the Precious Blood. Much longer than your pre-Cana course for couples wanting to wed in the Catholic Church. In that time, the candidate is tested …