St. Gaspar and his missionaries

On the 240th anniversary of the birth of Saint Gaspar and the 211th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

Saint Gaspar and his companions, who, out of love for the Blood of Christ, founded the first group of Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood on August 15, 1815 (Feast of the Assumption), placing themselves under the protection of the Virgin Mary. They dedicated themselves to:

– preaching the Word of God (in missions and retreats),

– were motivated by devotion to the Blood of Christ,

– the desire to live a communal life without vows (“Bond of Charity”),

– with a special dedication to the poor and marginalized in their apostolate

– and for fidelity to the Church.

Since its founding in Giano, a town near Assisi, Italy, the Congregation has expanded to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Spain, Portugal, Tanzania, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Poland, Yugoslavia, India, Guinea-Bissau, Vietnam…

Despite this list, which could be impressive, we remain a small community with many limitations. In some parts of the world, the Congregation is in crisis and faces the possibility of a slow decline. In other parts, there are signs of life and hope. Here in the Iberian Province (Spain, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau), we find both light and shadow.

But perhaps this is how God has called us to live poverty: in smallness and weakness. When the Lord called the first disciples, he did not promise them great things; he did not offer them riches or power. On the contrary, he asked them for total surrender.“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Mt 16:25-26).

He called them freely and mysteriously, revealed Himself, and sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God together. In short, this has been our calling: to proclaim the Kingdom as Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood.

(Fr. António Panea, CPPS)