Charism
As Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, our charism is one of the suffering and joy of the paschal mystery, of the cross and resurrection, of the precious blood of Jesus and his redeeming love, of the anguish of the world and the readiness for mission. It is surrender to God's design as a way of our being in the world. It gives shape to who we are and is the reason for what we do. It gives us our name. It is demanding! The paschal mystery is the pattern of our lives. It is God's redeeming plan for the world written into our personal histories and engraved into the history of our congregation. Living the paschal mystery is entering into a process of transformation; and this is our challenge for today's world. Redeeming love demands of us a new way of being in the world and for the world. This is our name and this is our mandate.
Our Motto
Ora et Labora: "Pray and Work"
"Pray and work" is the motto of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood as handed down to us through our Benedictine heritage. We are to find God in both our prayer and in our work. During the time of St. Benedict, manual labour was regarded as menial; and he wanted to demonstrate that everything can lead to the service and glory of God. There is "no talent too humble, nor gift too high that you cannot offer it to God". All sisters participate in some form of manual labour within the community on a regular basis.
Spirituality
"You have redeemed us O Lord in your Blood"
Through the Blood of Christ we have been redeemed and called to live the Paschal Mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection in our daily lives. We live this spirituality concretely by declaring the Blood of Jesus as a source of reconciliation, healing and peace.
We, as Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, are called to live in harmony with each other in community thereby proclaiming this message of reconciliation, healing and peace to the world. We live our spirituality by offering our services, especially to the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable in society. We also work in ministries that lighten the burden of those who are suffering through our spiritual, emotional, psychological, physical, and material support and assistance. We endeavor to respond to Christ's cry of "I thirst", in ourselves, in our communities, in our society and in our environment. Our Precious Blood spirituality challenges us to become instruments of reconciliation, justice, and peace in the world, and to preserve the integrity of creation. As Eucharistic women in the new millennium, we strive to live the Paschal Mystery joyfully, gratefully and compassionately.
"The blood of Christ is neither only atonement for sin, nor only the restoration of justice; it is even more so a manifestation of an infinite and merciful love. It not only restores the dignity of men and women, compromised by sin, but also raises them to a "sharing of the divine nature."
(from an address by Pope John Paul II)
Would you like to read more about our spirituality?
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Adoration and Mission
Circumstances are God
God willed me back to life
Work & Ministries
"No talent too humble or none too hidden for the Glory of God"! The sisters in North America work in various ministries. The sisters operate a retreat center in Reading Pennsylvania called Mariawald, a name taken from one of the monasteries founded by Abbot Francis Pfanner. Similarly in Toronto, we operate St Bernard's Guest/Retreat house where people may come for quiet space or have a retreat for their groups. Our apostolates include social work, administrative tasks, domestic work, teaching, arts and crafts, pastoral care, retreat and spiritual direction, parish ministry, and work with the homeless. The sisters also own and operate Mariann Nursing Home in Richmond Hill, Ontario and St Bernard's Residence, a retirement home. In health care we have sisters in nursing and medicine/surgery. Our Sister Francis Bisland founded the Day Spring Homes for developmentally challenged adults; and she continues to be a strong advocate for the disabled. Whatever your talent may be, our congregation can help you as a member, to use it for the glory of God.