We all are the Priestly People of God. Together, we are leaders in responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of Priests and Brothers. February 2015 - Vol. 31 No. 2

Religious life ought to promote growth in the church by way of attraction. The church must be attractive. Wake up world! Be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living! It is this witness that I expect of you. Religious should be men and women who are able to wake up the world. Francis, meeting with Union of Superior Generals November 2013 New Beginnings “The Handmaids of the Precious Blood - a life dedicated to the sanctification of God’s priests – today, tomorrow, everywhere.” Father Gerald Fitzgerald, sP

Whenever newness of any kind occurs, there are emotions “On 22 December 2014, the Handmaids of the Precious and activities involved in that newness! The winter of Blood in Tennessee received an early Christmas present 2014 proved to be the final steps in the beginning of with the arrival of the last Handmaids to reside at Cor newness for the Handmaids of the Precious Blood. It was Jesu Monastery in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. The next a desired newness, brought about my many needs that the day, the Jemez Pueblo became the formal owners of the community saw for itself, be it more convenient health care former monastery and a new stage in the history of the services, establishing a new monastery, or creating vocation Handmaids, that began unfolding in 2010, was set to awareness to the contemplative life. begin. After 65+ years of living in the canyons of the Jemez “It was Cardinal Burke, then Archbishop, who encouraged Mountains in New Mexico, they set out to re-establish us strongly to consider relocating the monastery when themselves in eastern Tennessee. Chronicling the journey I spoke with him on his visit to our Priory in Illinois in on their website, the sisters have finally moved everything 2010,” said Rev. Mother Marietta, H.P.B. The Handmaids from New Mexico to the diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. held a general chapter of affairs that year after an extended Mother Marietta H.P.B., sent this note about their recent period of prayer and reflection about the matter and move... Handmaids Complete Initial Move to the discerned that it was God’s will for them to leave the Diocese of Knoxville Canyon. The question posed was simply whether or not to

Happy, smiling faces of the Handmaids of the Precious Blood Enjoying the beauty of their new surroundings. They are located in the pristine forests of eastern Tennessee near the Hiwassee River.

Six Handmaids remain stationed in Illinois but the majority are now in Tennessee. Mother Marietta expressed Handmaids with Richard Stika and Cardinal and Bishop Stika’s dog, Rosie. You can see who has the seat of honor! appreciation for the southern hospitality shown the Sisters, “The welcome, support, assistance, and prayers leave, not where to go. Abraham like, they trusted God to of so many Catholics and non-Catholics here has been reveal that next step when the time was right, after they heartwarming.” committed to the move. As 2015 begins, the Handmaids of the Precious Blood Over the next few years they contacted several will continue to plan their new home and set about the and Dioceses and received both invitations and offers of business of building the first cloistered contemplative land in some cases. But it was through the Institute on monastery in East Tennessee, and spreading Father Religious Life’s Mike Wick that Bishop Richard F. Stika Gerald’s charism of prayer and sacrifice for priests, of Knoxville came to learn that the Handmaids were especially in Eucharistic searching for a new home. From the moment he was Adoration, far and wide. appointed the Bishop of Knoxville, he was actively seeking “The Handmaids of a contemplative order to have a presence in the Diocese. the Precious Blood - a The Handmaids of the Precious Blood will be the first life dedicated to the cloistered, contemplative community, and the first sanctification of God’s motherhouse, to be in the diocese of Knoxville. A strong priests - today, tomorrow, supporter of the , Bishop Stika has warmly everywhere.” Father Gerald welcomed the community into East Tennessee from the Fitzgerald, sP arrival of the first three Handmaids in May of 2013 to the recent arrival of the last of the New Mexico contingent. A snowy walk in the forest!

Handmaids with Bishop Richard Father Gerald formed his spiritual sons and Stika and Cardinal Justin Rigali daughters according to the charism he had and Bishop Stika’s dog, Rosie. You can see who has the seat received from the Holy Spirit. of honor! To him, the key to priestly sanctity, fidelity, reparation and rejuvenation is a deep personal prayer life expressed in ardent devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

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