Updates from our network of Precious Blood Companions
Companions are lay associates sealed with their covenants as an integral, living part of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Through that covenant relationship, they gather and are sent to bring hope and reconciliation to a wounded world.
From Companion Gretchen Bailey:
On one coast, a sea of snow, and on the other, a sea of fire. The lights that hung from our eaves and windows are packed and returned to their berth in a closet or a basement shelf. We leave an electric candle in the window by the Virgin of Guadalupe, who looks out upon our street watching over all who walk by. With blessed chalk, doorposts are marked with the year and the initials of Caspar, Malchior, and Balthasar. The light of the Child is with us.
In Berkeley, the Newark and Alameda/Oakland Companions shared an Epiphany meal of beef bourguignon, and a plum pudding made and served a flambé by Fr. David Matz. The Spirit lights our souls during these winter days.
The following week, a group of Companions met to review the history of Sonnino Mission House and to envision what the future of this place, set in the milieu of the East Bay, might be. The group included two in formation from the Young Compas Companion group (Compadres). One will make his covenant at the retreat at Vallambrosa in January. The Young Compas are being formed by Fr. Dave at Sonnino House. Not a gray hair among them (well, except for Fr. Dave). We are pilgrims of hope. The torch of a thousand tongues gets lighted and passed to another generation. The Spirit lights our souls during these winter days. The Spirit sees us as we look out upon the snow, upon fields, streets, smoke, and ash. We ask, “What can I do for You today?”
From Companion Nancy Clisbee:
The St Joseph, Missouri, Companions send blessings of hope to all as we begin 2025!
We will be welcoming a wonderful new group into Precious Blood formation with our group in January! Several of us enjoyed the Epiphany Party hosted by the Kansas City Companions on Jan. 12. The gathering was delayed by the huge snowstorm that hit our area on Jan. 5. St. Joseph experienced the largest one-day snowfall since 1947: 16 inches! At that gathering, we enjoyed meeting Fr. John Kishore, C.PP.S., from the Indian Vicarate. We’re excited to welcome him to St Francis Xavier in St. Joseph in February!
The Precious Blood sends us a son from India and Companions in formation, additions to Gaspar’s one thousand tongues!
From Companion Rita McNally:
The KC Companion group’s December meeting was our annual gathering for preparing the mailing of Christmas cards to all of the professed Missionaries and the Conveners across the country and our foreign missions. In January, we hosted an Epiphany Celebration for all of the Precious Blood area missionaries (professed and lay individuals). Kansas City and surrounding area are still recovering from between 11-17 inches of snowfall and temperatures in the teens. We are thankful for the moisture and the sunshine and all the hard workers that cleared our roadways. New Year’s blessings to all.