The Guatemalan Mission elected Fr. Dario Caal as its new Director at an assembly held on 2 December. Also elected as councilors at the assembly were Frs. Abel Cruz and Mauricio Alvarez. The results of the election were confirmed at a meeting of the Provincial Council of the Cincinnati Province on 6 December and the appointments will become official on 15 January 2005.

The Provincial Council offered a special word of thanks to outgoing Director Fr. Noe Lemus for his many years of service as Director of the Mission.

Congratulations!

Information: Angelo Anthony, CPPS, Provincial Director, Cincinnati Province

Precious Blood Parish Missions, a joint ministry of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, Adorers of the Blood of Christ, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, and the Sisters of the Precious Blood, has received a grant to offer a workshop for thirty preachers on the weekend of April 22-24, 2005. The workshop will be held at the Cenacle Retreat and conference Center in Chicago , Illinois.

Thirty participants in all will be invited to the workshop: ten from the CPPS, ten from the Sisters' communities, and ten lay associates. All expenses, including transportation, will be covered. Participants will be expected to be available to preach one mission a year.

In its first year, the founding members of the Precious Blood Parish Missions preached missions in Florida, Ohio, and Indiana. During Lent of 2005 they are scheduled to offer four parish missions.

For more information on the preaching workshop, visit the website: www.PBParishMissions.org or send an e-mail to Fr. Dennis Chriszt, CPPS, at dccpps@aol.com . Click here for the full text of the press release.

Information: Dennis Chriszt, CPPS

From the 23rd to the 27th of November, 847 religious met at the Ergife Hotel in Rome for the World Congress on Consecrated Life. Participants hailed from all five continents. The Congress, organized by the two Unions of Superiors General of women and men, centered on the theme: “Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity”.

Left: Frs. António Farinha and Barry Fischer. Right: Some of the young religious who attended the Congress

The majority were Superiors General, among them our own Moderator Barry Fischer, as well as the presidents of most of the national conferences of religious from every part of the world, theologians, directors of reviews and publications on religious life and young religious. Fr. António Farinha, a young Portuguese priest of the Iberian Province , was one of the 47 young religious especially invited to participate.

A complete report on the proceedings of the Congress as well as the excellent presentations given and the concluding statement, can be found on the web site: www.vidimusdominum.org

Text and photos: Barry Fischer, CPPS

Calumet College of St. Joseph, in Whiting, Indiana (USA), has made a firm commitment to helping its students see their world through the lens of Catholic social teaching. Each student entering the college is required to enroll in a course in social justice. The course is not only an academic introduction to a Catholic view of social issues but also carries a requirement of ten hours of community service.

Fr. Al Spilly, CPPS, of the Cincinnati Province, teaches some of these courses and also holds the newly endowed chair in social justice at the college, which has been sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood since its origins as an extension of St. Joseph's College (Rensselaer, Indiana) 50 years ago. He notes that the college has one of the most diverse student populations of any college in the United States. Many of the students are also working full-time and more than half the students are not Catholic. (Fr. Spilly noted that it was not unusual for students to bring their children to class if they had problems finding a babysitter.)

While emphasizing the Catholic tradition, teachers remain respectful of other religious traditions and invite other perspectives from students in classroom discussions. All students are required to write reflection papers for the course: one on the service project they have chosen, another on what has happened to them as a result of their project, and finally, what is happening to other people because of the project. "This isn't one of those classes where you'll learn the answers," says Spilly. "We may all agree that we should help the poor -- but how?"

In October the college co-sponsored, with the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council, a social justice conference on the topic "Families in Crisis: Faith-Based Responses." The conference focused on how participants as individuals and as members of churches and other organizations can help the "most vulnerable" residents of northwest Indiana.

One can only think that St. Gapsar, founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood who had a special place for the poor and vulnerable throughout his public ministry, would be quite pleased at this commitment to social justice. For more information on Calumet College, visit their web site. A copy of the working definition used by the Social Justice Center for Excellence at the college may be found here on this site.

This article was based on a conversation with Fr. Al Spilly, CPPS, as well as on material from the Fall 2004 issue of CPPS Today,
a publication of the Cincinnati Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

Rev. Mr. Paul Kitaly of the Tanzanian Vicariate was ordained to the diaconate in Tanzania on November 27. He had been incorporated on October 23.

See the article below, "Five New Members of the Congregation," for more information.

At a meeting of the provincial directors and councilors of the four North American Provinces in November, it was apparent that the situation of the Pacific Province had arrived at the point where its future as a province was no longer viable. Declining membership led to a situation in which the resources, both human and financial, were no longer sufficient to support the ministries of the province adequately.

The best response given the situation appeared to be that members of the Province of the Pacific request transfers to other provinces of the Congregation. When this is completed, the province will be suppressed.

The other three North American provincials and their councils have extended an invitation to the members of the Pacific Province to enter into dialogue, after suitable discernment, with the provincial director of the province to which a member believes he is called. The process for requesting a transfer to another province will be completed in May 2005, and the province will cease to exist canonically on July 1, 2005.

Currently members of the Pacific Province are involved in ministry in two parishes in Los Angeles , in a parish in Mexico City, and in a parish in the San Francisco Bay area. Members have also been active in education and in spiritual direction and retreat ministry. Five members have retired and a sixth now has serious health problems. One member is a General Councilor in Rome.

The Province of the Pacific was created in 1965, along with the Kansas City and Cincinnati Provinces, from the American Province, at a time of great growth in the church in the United States. There was a CPPS presence in California in the 19th century, when several CPPS priests worked in the famed goldfields and in other areas of northern California.

A final assembly of the province will take place on April 20, 2005, to mark the fortieth anniversary. A public celebration will be held on April 24.

Text: Jerry Stack, CPPS

The Ninth Annual Precious Blood Spirituality Workshop (Jornadas de la Espiritualidad de la Sangre de Cristo) took place in November in the Iberian Province.

This year participants looked at the theme pastoral ministry in the light of the Precious Blood. They considered the pastoral project of Saint Gaspar in the his day, the current ministry of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood as they make present the charism of Gaspar today, and possibilities for future ministry in the light of Precious Blood spirituality.

Recalling the challenge of Pope John Paul II to the Congregation in his address to the members of the General Assembly in 2001, the participants noted that the Holy Father called Missionaries of the Precious Blood to be true sons of St. Gaspar, taking on missions that others do not want and that have little chance of success. Among the topics considered under this theme were developing a common theology of mission, rediscovering an authentic sense of the mission house, becoming agents of reconciliation, and working to understand and to eliminate the causes of poverty and other social problems.

Looking toward the future in the Iberian Province , the participants looked at some of the characteristics of a Precious Blood parish, the reality of ministry in a society with conflicts, ministry with the laity, in education, and in the areas of popular missions and youth ministry.

A summary of the proceedings (in Spanish) may be found by clicking here.

Information and photo: Fr. Paulino Hernández, cpps

Fr. Pedro Carrasco of the Iberian Province writes that the Province has formed a team to conduct popular missions. The new team is composed of 2 Missionaries of the Precious Blood, 1 Adorer of the Blood of Christ, and 9 lay people.

The first mission was conducted in Guadalcanal (Seville), Spain, from October 17 through 19. Through its presence in the area the goal of the team was to make present the kingdom of God. "We are confident and we take on this work with great expectations. We hope that we will not limit ourselves to repeating formulas, but rather that we will make new each day the message of Jesus Christ with a fresh approach."

Saint Joseph's College and Calumet College of St. Joseph, two colleges in the state of Indiana sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, have each received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Foundation that will help them develop programs, hire and retain faculty, and upgrade facilities.

The funds will be used for scholarship aid, faculty development, guest speaker presentations, and laboratory renovations at St. Joseph's in Rensselaer. At Calumet College in Whiting, plans are to use the grant to endow a new chair in business management, to hire a faculty member in the field of computer information systems, and to assist faculty members who want to pursue doctoral degrees.

St. Joseph's College was established by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood over 100 years ago. Calumet College began as an extension of St. Joseph's in northwest Indiana in the 1950's and later became an independent institution.

The Lilly foundation was founded in 1937 and supports the causes of religion, education, and community development.

Submitted by Companion Jean Giesige, editor of the Cincinnati Province Newsletter

Fr. Joseph Lima, a member of the Congregation since 1940, was called to his new life in Christ on Sunday, October 31, 2004.  He was born on March 18, 1919 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and was ordained on December 10, 1944 at Carthagena, Ohio.

Visitation will be on Thursday, November 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio with a prayer service at 7 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 5, 2004, at 2 p.m. in Assumption Chapel at St. Charles Center.  Interment will follow in the Community  Cemetery.

The Missionaries of the Precious Blood in the Vicariate of Tanzania celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the canonization of St. Gaspar with Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral in Dodoma on October 21. The event was graced by the presence of many people of different denominations and from different walks of life. Among the guests were representatives from the parishes and communities in which the Missionaries of the Precious Blood work, as well as members of men's and women's religious congregations.

The Eucharist, held at St. Paul's Cathedral in Dodoma, was led by Rt. Rev. Mattias Isuja Joseph, the local ordinary of Dodoma. The holy Mass was preceded by a procession which began about three kilometers away from the cathedral. It was led by the crucifix followed by a national service brass band, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, members of religious congregations and the groups from the different parishes where the Missionaries work.

In the homily, the ordinary of Dodoma, Rt. Rev. Mathias Isuja Joseph, recalled the history of the presence of the Missionaries in Tanzania and particularly in the areas of Dodoma and Singida. He noted that their presence has made a big difference both spiritually and materially. The ordinary of the Catholic diocese of Singida also hailed the presence of the Missionaries in his diocese and highlighted the activities of the CPPS Missionaries. He said that only a missionary spirit and mind can do that. He prayed that God may continue to bless their works.

The function was concluded by a luncheon shared by more than 700 participants. Several shows were performed to commemorate the event.

Text: Fr. Reginald Mrosso, CPPS

The CPPS Missionaries of the Tanzanian Vicariate held their annual retreat in two sessions this year: September 27 – October 8. The retreat was led by Fr. Dennis Chriszt, CPPS, of the Cincinnati Province, and Sister Donna Liette, CPPS, of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, Ohio. The first session was held at the Don Giovanni Merlini Formation Centre in Dodoma and the second at St. Gaspar College in Morogoro. The photo shows participants in front of the chapel in Morogoro.

Text: Fr. Reginald Mrosso, CPPS

The Tanzanian Vicariate celebrated the incorporation of Paul Kitaly at St. Gaspar College in Morogoro on October 23.

Paul is the son of Joachim Afamuel Kitaly and Elizabeth Leina Mushi. The newly incorporated missionary was born on the 6 th of February 1967 at Mkuu Rombo. Paul has four brothers and five sisters.

Paul began his first year of formation which ran from 1995 through 1996 at Miyuji (Dodoma), and then proceeded for Philosophical studies at the Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology from 1996 to 1999. Furthermore, he went to Itigi (Singida) for the second year of formation and came back to the Salvatorian Institute for Theological studies from 2000 to 2003. He did a pastoral experience for a year from 2003 to 2004 and he is just completing his fourth year of Theology.

Information on Paul Kitaly: student J. Mabala and Fr. R. Mrosso c.pp.s.

Don Domenico D'Alia of the Italian Province was ordained at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, near Naples, on Saturday, September 25. He celebrated his First Mass the following day in Sant'Arpino, also near Naples. Don Domenico has most recently been involved in parish and youth ministry at Corpo e Sangue di Cristo Parish in Rome (a CPPS parish).

In the photos above, beginning at upper left: D. Luigi De Fazio, CPPS, lays hands on D. Domenico during the ordination; Don Domenico with his mother; D. Benedetto Labate, CPPS, D. Domenico, and D. Oliviero Magnone, CPPS, just before the ordination; procession to the parish church of Sant'Elpidio in Sant'Arpino.

Photos: Jerry Stack, cpps

News of the death of Don Pietro Mercurio of the Italian Province reached the General Assembly shortly after the opening presentation by Fr. Barry Fischer on Monday, September 13. In his remarks, Fr. Barry had remembered Don Pietro, who had been in ill health for several months and who had participated in several Assemblies in the past. Don Pietro served as Secretary General of the Society from 1959 through 1971.

Don Pietro was born in Grumo Appula, Bari, in 1925. He entered the formation program of the Congregation in Bari in 1935 and was definitively incorporated in 1946, and ordained to the priesthood in 1947.

His funeral was celebrated on September 15.

Fr. Wilhelm Keel of the Teutonic Province died in Schellenberg, Liechtenstein, on September 16. Bon in Rebstein, Canton Sankt Gallen, Switzerland, in 1918, he entered the Congregation in 1943, was incorporated in 1944, and ordained to the priesthood in 1946. In 1948 he began a ministry of 38 years in the Xingù region of Brazil, a Vicariate of the Teutonic Province.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Schellenberg on Saturday, September 18.

"Time passes and eternity is the great thought which directs us and draws us to the good, and it enchants us." (St. Gaspar, letter 3785)

God grant them eternal rest.

22 seminarians from Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Poland gathered at the Collegio Preziossismo Sangue in Rome for a program of formation from August 27 through September 5. Also attending were five members from the Iberian, Teutonic, and Italian Provinces, and the Polish Vicariate. The topics covered were "St. Gaspar Yesterday: History, Ministry, and Spirituality" (Don Oilivero Magnone); "St. Gaspar Today: The Congregation Today" (Don Francesco Bartoloni); "St. Gaspar Tomorrow: The Future of the Congregation" (Fr. Barry Fischer); and "The Mother Province: Italy, Africa, and India" (Don Giovanni Francilia).

Right: Don Pietro Battista leads a tour of the St. Gaspar Museum, Albano.

In addition to the presentations, there were two all-day trips: to San Felice, Giano dell'Umbria, the birthplace of the Congregation, and to Monte Cassino and to the Collegio Preziossismo Sangue in Albano, where St. Gaspar was buried initially and which now contains a St. Gaspar museum.

Text: Jerry Stack, cpps
Photos: Barry Fischer, cpps,
and Jerry Stack, cpps

This summer two students of the Teutonic (German) Province spent a month at the Generalate, assisting in the transfer of member information from the paper card files to a computerized database. Hermann Imminger (on the right in the photo) spent the month of July at the Casa Generalizia and in addition to the database project was taking 20 hours of Italian language instruction each week. Georg Wiedemann (on the left in the photo) came in August and completed the project and has been assisting with preparations for the General Assembly. Both Hermann and Georg are temporarily incorporated members and are studying theology in Salzburg, Austria.

The data cards contain basic general biographical data on each members, such as date and place of birth, baptism, entrance into the Congregation, incorporation, ordination, etc. (The Generalate does not maintain personnel files on each member. These would be kept in the office of the province, vicariate, or mission.) With the digitalization of the member information, the files become more useful and are easier to keep up to date. The information is kept confidential, of course, and is intended only for use among members of the General Curia and the superiors of the units of the Society.

Text and photo: Jerry Stack, cpps

Fr. Barry Fischer, Moderator General of the CPPS, has just published The Cry of the Blood: The Challenge of Refounding. (An Italian edition of the book was published in 2001.) Drawing on his experiences in Latin America and in giving retreats to groups of religious women and men in the "Precious Blood Family" of congregations, the book is an extended reflection on the charism of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in the "three pillars" of mission, community and spirituality.

In the Foreword, Fr. Barry notes that "the spirituality of the Blood of Christ is a special gift for the Church and for the society in which we live...To live this spirituality to the fullest...will require of us a continuing discernment and conversion." The "cry of the blood" in our world "calls us to rebirth and refoundation in creative fidelity to our charism."

The book contains13 chapters organized under the three categories of mission, community, and spirituality. Each chapter concludes with questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

The book is available from the Precious Blood Resource Center, St. Charles Center, 2860 U.S. 127, Carthagena, OH 45822, for $5 plus shipping and handling.

Thirty women and men from several congregations who find their inspiration in the spirituality of the Precious Blood gathered in the quiet, rural setting of Baumgärtle, Germany, from July 19-24th. The participants hailed from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, and Holland and were guided in their reflections by Fr. Barry Fischer. The themes, treated in a pastoral way, were: “The cry and the call of the Blood; living the Eucharist as sacrifice; Eucharistic adoration; and two themes on reconciliation. After each presentation, there was time for either private prayer and reflection or common sharing in the large group.

The setting for the week of spirituality was the newly restored “hunting lodge” acquired through a donation to our Missionaries. The beautiful building, now called “The Spiritual Life Center of Maria Baumgärtle” can offer hospitality to thirteen overnight guests as well as receive larger groups for day gatherings. The hospitality of Fr. Walter Josefiak, the House Director, of Father Josef Gehrer, and of all of our Missionaries at Baumgaertle was wonderful.

This was the second such gathering of members of the larger Family of the Precious Blood, sponsored by the Missionaries of the Teutonic Province. An evaluation at the end of the week showed enthusiastic support for continuing such events. The next one will probably be in 2006.

Text and photos: Barry Fischer, cpps

Just a day after the death of Brother Augustine Kruck, death came to another member of the Cincinnati Province at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio. Dead at 76 of an apparent heart attack is Father Carl Wise, Missionary of the Precious Blood for 53 years and a priest for 49.

Born in 1928 in Randolph, Ohio, Carl entered the Congregation at Brunnerdale Seminary in 1943 and was incorporated into the CPPS in 1950. After his ordination in 1955, he spent most of the rest of his life in parish ministry in parishes in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida. He was also director of brother candidates at Brunnerdale Seminary (Canton, Ohio) for six years.

Poor health led to retirement in 1998, but he continued to help with parish ministry and operated a book bindery there. "He loved to serve people," was one of the comments made by a parishioner of the last parish he served, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Montezuma, Ohio. While there he established a "twinning" relationship of the parish with Precious Blood Missionaries in La Labor, Guatemala.

Fr. Carl loved to read, to fish, and to golf. The day before his death he played golf and went fishing and he had celebrated Eucharist at Our Lady of Guadalupe hours before his death. His good friend Fr. Jim McCabe, CPPS, recalled the words of Simeon in the gospel of Luke: "Now, Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace." He added: "He will be missed."

His funeral will be celebrated along with that of Brother "Gus" Kruck on Saturday, July 24, at St. Charles Center. Burial will follow at the Community cemetery.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Information: Obituary, Cincinnati Province

The birthplace of the Congregation, the abbey of San Felice, Giano, is a special and holy place. For more than ten centuries men have lived here seeking a deeper relationship with God. It has been home to Benedictines, Augustinians, Passionists, and, since their founding here in 1815, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

From July 11 through 17, thirty-three Missionaries came together for a retreat for English-speaking members preached by Fr. Joe Nassal (see the photo below) of the Kansas City Province. His theme was "Cultivating the Interior Life: Mystical Heart and Missionary Zeal." The retreat was sponsored by the General Curia as a way of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the canonization of our Founder, St. Gaspar Del Bufalo.

Reminding the retreatants that while we are an institute of the apostolic life, we must nurture our active ministry through prayer and community life. In a world with many challenges and opportunities it is all to easy to succumb to the temptation to fill all our time with our work.

In St. Gaspar's words, we are to be "lovers of silence," always ready to hear the truth the Lord wants to tell us: "you are my beloved." Prayer is the first step in kindling the flame of misionary fire.

Sometimes the Lord speaks to us "through the cracks," the wounds in our life. Allowing ourselves to experience the pain rather than avoiding it, taking it to the foot of the cross, as St. Gaspar said, is the way to healing and a change of heart.

Fr. Joe's last conference challenged the group to develop "habits of holiness:": respect for our elders (and for the elder, the wise one within); reclaiming our Precious Blood charism, our gift to the Church and to the world; renewing our commitment to be prophetic; refreshing our vision and applying it to the present; and a desire to refound the community.

The beautiful environment of San Felice as well as the wonderful hospitality of the Missionaries who live there, especially the local superior, Fr. Luciano Nobili, also contributed to a memorable week of reflection and renewal.

   Text: Jerry Stack, CPPS
Photos: Charles Mullen, CPPS; Jerry Stack, CPPS

A member of the CPPS for 70 years, Fr. George Heinzen was called to eternal life on July 13, 2004. He was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and entered the Congregation as a student at Burkettsville, Ohio, in 1929. Ordained a priest in 1940, Fr. Heinzen was a member of the Kansas City Province.

His funeral was celebrated at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio, on July 19 and he was buried in the community cemetery there. A memorial Mass was held on July 20, 2004, at Precious Blood Center in Liberty, Missouri.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

At their Electoral Assembly held in Rome, July 5-7, members of the Italian Province re-elected Fr. Giovanni Francilia as Provincial Director. Also re-elected were members of the Provincial Council: Frs. Oliviero Magnone, Enzo Zoino, Antonio Calabrese, and Giandomenico Piepoli (first through fourth councilors respectively).

Left to right: Frs. Antonio Calabrese, Enzo Zoino, Giovanni Francilia, Oliviero Magnone, Giandomenico Piepoli.

Photo: Barry Fischer, CPPS

On the same day, seven students completed their second year of special formation, also at the Merlini Formation House. They will begin their first year of theology at the Salvatorian Institute in September. They are shown in the photo at the far right, holding their cassocks and cinctures.

Information: Reginald Mrosso, CPPS
Photos: Henry Matandula, CPPS

Fr. Jeff Kirch of the Cincinnati Province was ordained to the priesthood in the chapel of Saint Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Indiana, on Saturday, June 16. Jeff was born in Beech Grove, Indiana, and entered the CPPS formation program in 1998, completing his seminary studies at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. He was definitively incorporated into the Congregation in May 2003.

Fr. Jeff has already taken up residence at his new assignment at St. Joseph's College, where he will teach theology and will be part of the campus ministry team.

Congratulations and God's blessings, Jeff!

Two candidates in North American became members of the Congregation through definitive incorporation during the third week of June.

In Kansas City, Matt Link was incorporated on June 15 during the annual assembly of the Kansas City Province. In the Pacific Province, Steve Dos Santos was incorporated on June 17 during the assembly of the Pacific Province. Steve is a native of Alameda, California, and grew up in the CPPS parish of St. Barnabas Church there.

We welcome these two new members and offer them our congratulations!

The members of the General Council and five regional delegates came together in Rome from June 9-11 to finalize plans for the General Assembly which will take place September 13-24. Together they developed a working document or instrumentum laboris based on material from the final documents of each regional assembly as well as the schedule. The General Council also met during the weeks of June 6 and June 13 to discuss other business

The Assembly will be the largest ever held with 54 delegates attending. In addition to the 32 delegates who are elected or ex officio (and who have active voice), 22 other delegates have been invited. Newer foundations have been asked to send additional representatives and there will also be representatives of the students and lay associates from each region.

For more information, click on "General Assembly 2004" on the menu bar below.

In the photo: l-r, 1st row: Frs. Felix Mushobozi, Giandomenico Piepoli, Barry Fischer, Francesco Bartoloni. Second row: Frs. Jerry Stack, Lucas Rodríguez, Luis Filipe Cardoso Fernandes, Michael Peter's, Bill Nordenbrock, Bob Schreiter.

Information: Fr. Jerry Stack, CPPS
Photo: Fr. Barry Fischer, CPPS

After a busy weekend with deacon ordinations and the inauguration of a new school, the Indian Vicariate once again had cause to celebrate with the entrance of 11 theology students into the period of special formation in the Congregation. (See the photo at left.)

At the same ceremony 7 candidates were ordained to the ministry of lector and 7 to the ministry of acolyte. The celebration took place on June 15 in Bangalore.

Information and Photo: Amaladoss Mariasusai, CPPS

New Deacons, New School Mark Gaspar Anniversary in India

Five Missionaries of the Precious Blood were ordained to the diaconate in Bangalore, India, on June 12, the 50th anniversary of the canonization of St. Gaspar. The newly ordained deacons are Bro. Samuel Dara Marianna, Martin David Aynikadan, Vanathu Chinappan Belevendiram, Balasundaram Antonisamy, and John De Britto Vanathaiyan. Archbishop Ignatius Pinto was the ordaining prelate at the ordination, held at Precious Blood Church, on the grounds of the Precious Blood Ashram, the major seminary. After the celebration of the Eucharist some 500 guests gathered for a festive meal.

At right, the new deacons Martin David Aynikadan, John De Britto Vanathaiyan,
Balasundaram Antonisamy, Chinnappan Belavendiram, and Samuel Marianna,
with Frs. Rosario Gnanadickam, Amaladoss Mariasusai, and David Jayasingh.

Earlier in the day the Vicariate initiated a school for young children in Bangalore. At 8:30 in the morning the parents and children gathered at Precious Blood Church for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Fr. Amaladoss, Vicariate Director, cut the ribbon and offered a blessing and Fr. David Jayasingh invited the parents to collaborate with the Missionaries in educating their children.

At left, Fr. Amaladoss cuts the ribbon.

At right, Fr. David and Fr. Amaladoss

Throughout the Congregation, members are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the canonization of our Founder, St. Gaspar Del Bufalo, on June 12, 1954, by Pope Pius XII. This year also marks 100 years since he was declared "Blessed" by Pope St. Pius X.

In Rome, Gaspar's birthplace and his residence throughout his lifetime, the Italian Province has been celebrating with a variety of events, including processions and prayers with the remains of St. Gaspar, removed from their usual resting place at the Church of Santa Maria in Trivio by special permission of the Holy See. On June 10 a new biography of St. Gaspar, Voleva mille lingue, ("He wanted a thousand tongues") written by Don Michele Colagiovanni, CPPS, had its presentation at the historic Palazzo Falconieri in the Viale Giulia. Noted journalist Orazio Petrosillo offered his comments as well as reflections on the meaning of St. Gaspar for today. A new medal of St. Gaspar (left), designed for this Gaspar Year by sculptor Mauro Baldessari, had its first public viewing at the event, which concluded with a concert of piano music.

Saturday, June 12, was a day dedicated to the spirituality of St. Gaspar, with a conference, "The work and the figure of St. Gaspar" presented by Don Michele Colagiovanni in the morning and an address by Senator (and former prime minister) Mario Andreotti (right) in the afternoon: "St. Gaspar Del Bufalo, Roman, priest, missionary, and saint: his charism and works."

In the evening Cardinal J. Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, presided at a Eucharist at St. Gaspar parish in the southern part of Rome. The Mass was broadcast by the Vatican television station Telepace.

In addition to these celebrations, local celebrations have been or will be held in other locales in Italy, accompanied by the remains of St. Gaspar

Text and photos: Jerry Stack, CPPS

Some 75 pilgrims braved cold and rain on May 15 to make a pilgrimage aimed at increasing vocation awareness. The pilgrims traveled from the CPPS parish of St. Augustine in Minster, Ohio, to St. Joseph's, Egypt, Maria Stein Center, and finally St. Charles Center in Carthagena.

Along the way, married and single persons, women religious, and CPPS members offered testimony about how they have responded to God's call in their lives.

Fr. Ken Schnipke writes: "[This was] a journey that took us to several holy places, highlighting the vocation each person receives in baptism, and placing special emphasis on the call to the priesthood and religious life...God is always with us and ... through prayer, God will step up the call in all our lives."

Text: based on material from Fr. Ken Schnipke, CPPS

C.PP.S. members meeting at their annual assembly almost always grapple with difficult issues: how best to spend the Community's resources, which apostolates to support, what leadership to put in place. This year members and Companions were asked to think in a widening circle of even larger issues, issues of life and death, justice and peace.

At the opening session of the provincial assembly at St. Charles Center in Carthagena , OH , on Monday, May 10, and again on Tuesday, May 11, members and Companions were led to think and discuss ways in which they can live out the C.PP.S. corporate stance supporting life issues, in keeping with the theme of the assembly, "Promoting the Sacredness of All Human Life."

The Cincinnati Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood approved a corporate statement promoting the sacredness of all human life at its assembly in 2002. The opening days of this year's assembly was set aside to discern how that statement can be brought to life. Fr. Tom Hemm, C.PP.S., a member of the assembly's organizing committee, told members and Companions at the opening of the Tuesday, May 11, session, that it's time to bring life to the Province's life-affirming statement.

"We want to find ways in which we can share the fire, and engage ourselves in direct action," Fr. Hemm said. "We've already made a corporate statement supporting the sacredness of human life. We need to keep suggesting areas where we can engage ourselves in those issues. We need to find areas where we can make a difference on a particular issue that is calling to us."

Members and Companions listened to presentations by Fr. Al Spilly, C.PP.S., who holds the social justice chair at Calumet College of St. Joseph, on Monday night and Tuesday. The pursuit of justice and the passion for peace are deeply rooted in our Judeo-Christian tradition, Fr. Spilly said. "Concern for the defenseless in society is not a command designed simply to promote social harmony, but is rooted in the nature of God himself who is defender of the oppressed," he said during Monday's opening session.

On Tuesday, members and Companions spent much of the morning and afternoon in group discussions, wrestling with the assigned questions, which were, basically: What are the life issues that most deeply concern me? What am I doing about them? What should we all be doing about them?

Text and photo: Jean Giesige

May 18th is a very important day for Precious Blood Missionaries. On this day we remember the great event of the canonization of St. Maria De Mattias, Foundress of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. For the Indian Vicariate this day has even greater joy because four of our brothers, Balasunduram, Chinnappan, John Britto, and Samuel -- were incorporated into the Congregation. With this incorporation the number of members in the Indiana Vicariate is now 39. It is a grace of God for the Indian Vicariate.

Fr. Barry Fischer, Moderator General, presided over the celebration in Precious Blood Church, Bangalore. Some 20 priests joined in concelebrating, including Vice-Moderator General Fr. Francesco Bartoloni. Around 300 parents, relatives, and friends of the newly incorporated members also attended.

During the homily, Fr. Barry spoke of the importance of being Missionaries of the Precious Blood and of the charism of our beloved Founder St. Gaspar. The newly incorporated members were fortunate in receiving the Mission Cross from the hands of Fr. Barry and Fr. Amaladoss. After the celebration all of the participants joined in a delicious meal.

Text: Fr. Amaladoss Mariasusai, CPPS

Fr. Robert Schreiter , member of the CPPS General Council since 1995, has received a third honorary degree, this time from his alma mater, St. Joseph 's College, Rensselaer, Indiana. Fr. Schreiter has taught at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago since 1974 and served as its Academic Dean for nine years.

In the citation for the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, the College community cited some of his many accomplishments: 15 books, 63 chapters in other books, and articles in over 35 academic journals. He has publications in 17 languages. He is general editor of the Faith and Cultures series for Orbis books and for the Bernardin Center series with Sheed and Ward.

He has been president of the American Society of Missiology and the Catholic Theological Society of America and is currently serving as a consultant for developing training programs in reconciliation for Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella organization for over 160 relief and development agencies in the Roman Catholic Church.

In closing, the citation notes that Fr. Bob is an alumnus who “has lived our motto, ‘Involved for Life'.”

Congratulations and thanks for all you have done for the CPPS, the Church, and the world!

Photo: Fr. Tim McFarland, CPPS
Text: degree citation

The Congregation celebrated the ordination to the priesthood of four of its members on Sunday, May 16, at the Church of the Body and Blood of Christ, Morogoro, Tanzania. The new priest members are Frs. Florence Marini Kissima, 35 years of age, Nicholaus Ndeghawio Ngowi, 33, Denis Ireneus Mlimira, 32, and Eugene Cassian Nichimbi, 32. There are now 44 priests and 3 brothers in the Vicariate of Tanzania.

Fr. Kissima was definitively incorporated into the Congregation in 2002. Frs. Ngowi, Mlimira, and Nchimbi were incorporated in 2003. All studied at the Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Morogoro. They were ordained along with three members of the Augustinians.

In his homily, ordaining Bishop Agapit Ndorobo of the Diocese of Mahenge recalled the biblical prophets like Jeremiah and Samuel who were successful because they remained faithful to the word of God. He urged the newly ordained to be faithful and called for the laity to pray for them and for vocations.

We, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, Vicariate of Tanzania, wish them well and welcome them wholeheartedly. Congratulations, dear brothers, and may the Madonna of the Precious Blood, our patron Saint Francis Xavier, our beloved Father and Founder, St. Gaspar, and all the saints intercede for you always.

Fr. Reginald Mrosso, CPPS

The Moderator returned from the trip very enthusiastic with the progress he sees in the Vicariate and buoyed by the spirit of the young community.

While in Czestochowa he also visited with our sister community, the Adorers of the Precious Blood.

Fr. Basil Ndeshingio, 39, was called to eternal life on May 9 in Rome, after a difficult struggle with cancer. He had come to Italy for extensive surgery and had been in hospital undergoing further treatment.

Born in Marangu-Moshi, Tanzania, Basil entered the formation program of the Congregation in 1990. He became a member through definitive incorporation in 1996 and was ordained in Benevento, Italy, in 1997. He had pursued theology studies in Rome.

After returning to Tanzania Basil was engaged in the ministry of spiritual direction and retreats.

A funeral Eucharist was celebrated at the chapel at the Collegio Preziosissimo Sangue at Via Narni in Rome on May 11. There will also be funeral services in Tanzania where he will be buried.

In his homily at the funeral, Italian Provincial Director Giovanni Francilia told the congregation that at the anointing of the sick on the day prior to his death, Fr. Basil told him that he was offering his sufferings for an increase of vocations to the Congregation.

May the Lord grant that grace to our Society and eternal rest to His faithful servant, Basil.

Text: Fr. Jerry Stack, cpps
Photo: Vita Nostra

The parish of Nuestra Señora de la Preciosa Sangre is in an urban setting, for example, while San Sebastian in Purranque is in a small town with a large number of missions in the surrounding countryside. Valdivia is a medium-sized city with 2 parishes: Cristo Rey and Preciosa Sangre. The latter parish also has some missions in "the campo."

Students of the Vicariate live at the Casa Central in Santiago and attend courses at the seminary of the archdiocese. Recently the Vicariate hosted the first regional asembly for Latin America. (See article below.)

About 90 HIV/AIDS infected children from all over Tanzania are now receiving care at the Village of Hope in Dodoma , Tanzania . The Village was designed and is being run by the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ and opened on August 17 th . 2001.

An interesting thing about the kids in this picture is their shining faces. Do they know that they are HIV positive? Definitely they feel pains in their bodies. Thanks to the Sisters and other people of good will these children are able to laugh, to have brilliant faces and confidently hope for a better future. What a wonderful testimony of hope! They are sick but still they can share with us their joys, their hopes as well as their bright future.

The Church of St. Philip Neri in Putignano was the site of the April 17 incorporation of Graziano De Palma into the Congregation as a member of the Italian Province. Graziano, 25, is a native of Molfetta (province of Bari). For the past two years has engaged in ministry with drug- and alcohol-dependent persons in Putignano, in a program begun by Don Rosario Pacillo, CPPS. He entered the formation program of the Italian Province in 1997 and in addition to theology he has also pursued studies in psychology.

He is pictured at left with Moderator General Fr. Barry Fischer.

Photo: Barry Fischer, CPPS

Father Leonard Fullenkamp, the first rector, is pictured at right with the first class of the College in 1954.

Over the years a number of CPPS members have ministered in the school. The current rector is Fr. Antonio Baus and Fr. Luis Briones oversees the pastoral ministry of the school. Other CPPS members who have been rectors of the school include Frs Milton Ballor, Barry Fischer, and Humberto Jaña. Also serving in the position of rector were deceased Frs. Ambrose Lengerich, Emil Dinkel, and Larry Eiting.

CPPS Student Sergio Suárez writes from Chile:

As heirs of the missionary spirit of our founder, St. Gaspar, seminarians and priests of the Chilean Vicariate began the period of mission during the first week of February in the parish of San Sebastián in Purranque, a city in southern Chile, whose pastor is Fr. Israel De La Fuente, CPPS

The work was carried out in the rural communites of our parish, where we had the joy of sharing God's Word with the people . We brought them the message of hope of the price our Savior Jesus Christ paid for us: his Blood.

On the left, the community of La Naranja in front of the Lourdes grotto. At the center is Fr. Nicanor Azúa, CPPS. Sergio Suárez, CPPS student, is holding the guitar.

On this occasion we went to 16 communities, working with lay and religious missionaries from cities such as Santiago and Talca. This was a real witness to the universality and solidarity of the church.

The principal objective of the mission was to reinforce the sense of Catholic community, so that they can meet and work together with the pastor and the pastoral animators.

We were very much enlivened by this experience with the people and we pray for the perseverance of the communities.

Text: Sergio Suárez
Photos: P. Nicanor Azúa, CPPS

Left to right :Fr. Nicanor Azúa, C.PP.S., student Sergio Suárez and aspirant Elías Cid, together with a family

Father Antonio Baus writes from Chile:

The Chilean Vicariate held its annual assembly from January 26 through 29. As you can see from the picture on the left, there are some changes from the previous year. We now have the happy faces of three Tanzanians among us: Fathers Deusdedit Mulokozi, Richard Kungi, and Magnus Tegete. The three of them will be ministering in the Chilean Vicariate for the next four years.

Currently the Vicariate has 13 priests working in Chile: the three mentioned above from Tanzania, one from Poland, three Americans, and six Chileans. There are also two Mexican seminarians, who renewed their profession at the Assembly, and five other seminarians studying philosophy: one from Perú and four Chileans.

Nowadays we are living in an international community at a local level. With the help of God and the inspiration of Saint Gaspar, we look forward to serving the church with the best of our capabilities.

On January 29th, seminarians Omar Cerda (left) and Juan Carlos Barajas (right) renewed their profession  with the Chilean Vicariate and each one also received the ministry of lector.  Father Richard Beischel, Director, and community members gathered at the annual assembly shared this important occasion.

Text and photos: Antonio Baus, CPPS

"One Name, A Thousand Voices," is the title of our third Precious Blood Congress being held at the University of Dayton, August 1 - 4, 2005. The members of our various communities, our companions, associates, partners, amici and friends are all invited to an experience celebrating the reality of our Precious Blood Spirituality. Our thousand voices will lift all in need of Jesus' healing presence.

In the opening ritual, Maria de Mattias, Gaspar del Bufalo, Maria Anna Brunner and Theresa Weber will reflect upon the power and significance of the Precious Blood in their lives in relationship to the founding of their religious communities. Perhaps they will traverse time to celebrate the power and significance of that same Precious Blood in the lives of their counterparts who minister in the twenty-first century.

In addition to prominent keynote presenters, appropriate processes, meaningful prayer and delightful socials, there will be "Faith" Kiosks that will suggest creative ways to share our Precious Blood heritage. Reserve the time now and plan to attend this unique Congress. Pre-registration will begin in August, 2004, at the time of the Precious Blood Retreat in Rensselaer, Indiana.

(Press release of the Precious Blood Leadership Conference)

Members of the Tanzanian Vicariate gathered from February 3rd through the 5th in Morogoro to hold the Regional Assembly in preparation for the General Assembly in September. 39 members, 3 students were present along with Moderator General Fr. Barry Fischer and Vice-Moderator General Fr. Francesco Bartoloni, who is also a member of the Vicariate.

The first day began with two presentations by university professors. The first outlined the economic, political and social services dimensions of Tanzania today. The new economic situation, according to Professor Benedict Mongula, is a mixture of hope and frustration and the latter can lead to many social tensions. A challenge for the Missionaries of the Precious Blood is to respond to this cry of the Blood in Tanzanian society.

Fr. Peter Mwanjonde discussed the challenges facing the Church in Tanzania: deeper evangelization, inculturation, justice and peace, and dialogue, especially with Islam. Group discussions followed both presentations.

On the second day, Fr.Vincenzo Boselli, Vicariate Director, presented a history of the CPPS in Tanzania, noting the stages of development of the mission there. Fr. Barry Fischer offered an overview of the opportunities and challenges facing the CPPS worldwide. Again, small group discussions offered a chance to respond to the presentations and to discuss the results of the district meetings.

On the final day, the participants drew up some statements and proposals. Among the commitments proposed were having a simple lifestyle to be near the poor, promoting justice and peace especially through the Spiritual Center of Dodoma, using modern mass media in evangelization, collaboration in working with marginalized people, commitments to the ministry of small Christian communities, and a readiness to be available for preaching and retreats.

The members proposed that the the General Assembly consider its agenda the creation of five regions in the Society (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America) and that each member of the council be the animator of a region. They further proposed that the Moderator General and General Council be responsible for establishing new foundations, that these new foundations be administered by the Moderator and General Council directly, and that a common fund drawn from contributions from all provinces and vicariates, be established for the needs of new foundations. A final proposal is that a year of interregional special formation be implemented for all candidates for the Congregation.

The entire final document of the regional assembly can be found here.

Photos: Tanzanian Vicariate