Missionaries of the Precious Blood  

Did you know that the Precious Blood Community serving you...

• Was established on August 15, 1815 by St. Gaspar del Bufalo, who was born in Rome, Italy and who gave us the title: Congregatio Missionariorum Pretiosissimi Sanguinis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi (Congregation of Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ) abbreviated C.PP.S.

• Is an Apostolic Institute united not by canonical vows, but by a Bond of Charity which forms them into a family in Christ.

• Came to America in 1843 through the leadership of Fr. Francis DeSales Brunner, who was ministering in Lowenberg, Germany, and who accepted the invitation of Bishop Purcell of Cincinnati to respond to the spiritual needs of the German immigrants in Ohio.

• Continues to grow with over 600 definitively incorporated members in 17 different countries throughout the world and a growing number of lay companions who share their charism and mission.

• Has members serving in a wide array of ministries: both urban and rural parishes; educators; chaplains in hospitals, prisons and the military; serving in foreign missions; preachers of retreats and parish missions; serving wherever the needs of the people of God are recognized.

HISTORY/CHARISM

Our community, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, is an apostolic congregation founded in 1815 by St. Gaspar del Bufalo. We continue to vision of St. Gaspar who proclaimed the life-giving blood of Jesus to a people seeking healing and hope. In our culture there are so many people suffering from a variety of problems. We offer hope because we share the great news that God, who sent Jesus to shed His Blood for us, is with us in our every need. We serve in a variety of ministries that are dedicated to preaching and witnessing to the Word of God while working in collaboration with the laity and calling forth their gifts. As an Apostolic Institute we are united not by canonical vows but by a Bond of Charity which forms us into a family in Christ. St. Gaspar’s vision was to have the community observe the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience not out of obligation to the vows, but out of a personal commitment from one’s heart. All our professed members, priests and brothers, form a fraternal community and are committed to the service of God in the Congregation by an act of special consecration which is rooted in Baptism.

MINISTRY/SERVICE

Today we have over 600 members serving the Church throughout the world. The members of the four North American provinces are involved in a wide array of ministries: both urban and rural parishes; educators; chaplains in hospitals; prisons and the military; serving in foreign missions; preachers of retreats and parish missions; serving wherever the needs of the people of God are recognized.

FORMATION PROGRAMS

Inquiry Formation begins the formal journey with the community. It is a time of on-going discernment and prayer where a person learns about our community through contact with the director of vocations, a mentor, printed materials and various days of reflection. This may lead to formal application and acceptance into Initial Formation.

Initial Formation is when the candidate lives in our house of formation in Dayton, Ohio participating in community life, apostolic ministry, spiritual growth and academic formation. A candidate must be in Initial Formation for at least one year. From this experience the candidate moves into Special Formation - a year long experience wherein the candidate and congregation discern more intensely upon the life and charism of the congregation in preparation for Temporary Incorporation. Advanced Formation requires further refinement of the candidate’s identity as a future priest or brother. All candidates are provided the necessary professional and vocational training for their ministries of service to God’s people through their membership in the congregation.

Our candidates for priesthood participate in the program of formation at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This program is a four year program of formation in preparation for ordination.

Prayer for Vocations Good and gracious God, you have called us through baptism to be your beloved children, to put on Christ and to go about doing good works. Grant us more men and women willing to consecrate their lives to building up your church. Inspire many people to become part of the great movements of holiness which renowned saints have launched as one way of following Christ. Help us all to live our baptismal grace as your beloved sons and daughters, with whom you are well pleased. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Mission Statement We, the Cincinnati Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, are an apostolic community founded in 1815 by St. Gaspar del Bufalo. We are united by a bond of charity and rooted in the Spirituality of the Blood of Jesus. We are called to participate in the on-going renewal of the Church and the realization of the presence of God among ourselves and the people we serve. In our willingness to be flexible and responsive to changing needs, we fulfill our mission through: supporting and nurturing one another embracing a life of prayer calling forth the gifts of the laity and working in collaboration with them preaching and witnessing to the Word of God promoting conversion and reconciliation pursuing justice, ever mindful of the poor & marginalized

Read More about the Missionaries of the Precious Blood