Spring Awakening
Arriving at Catholic Theological Union on a March evening, 23 members of the Precious Blood family gathered in Chicago. Anticipation reigned: from seven different states, many in the diverse group met for the first time.
Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, president of CTU, the home of the Schreiter Institute, a division of the Precious Blood Spirituality Institute, welcomed us on arrival with a personal reflection on his work with youth in Peru, inviting us into that beautiful space for reflection, prayer, and awakening.
Each morning began with Mass in the CTU chapel, grounding us as we prepared for our day together. Tuesday’s focus on immigration unsettled and inspired. Five speakers shared insights that challenged our assumptions and language: immigrants are not “strangers,” they are neighbors. Arturo Gonzalez’s testimony was unforgettable — he had waited 26 years “in the line” for naturalization and finally voted last year. His hesitation, overcome with emotion as he shared his story, made it impossible for us to look away. That moment crystallized the meaning of “Awakening.”
Service and community followed. We packed food boxes for immigrant families and shared a meal with New Life Center leaders, hearing their stories of resilience, adaptability, and overwhelming commitment to welcoming all.
Gatherings each evening for meditation, prayer, and conversation deepened our reflections and solidified bonds within our group.
Wednesday focused on creation and food justice, exposing both scarcity and hope. A community farm in a low-income town offered more than produce: it invited neighbors to learn, cook, and share meals, weaving connection and empowerment into daily life.
Lunch and tours at PBMR with Fr. Dave Kelly and Fr. Denny Kinderman felt like a long-awaited “homecoming,” offering time to connect with staff and experience firsthand a ministry many had so admired but never seen. Conversations with those impacted by violence and incarceration revealed tremendous courage and the power of PBMR’s amazing reconciliation work: a genuine experience of the spirituality of the Precious Blood.
Thursday opened our hearts further to our LGBTQ+ siblings. Testimonies from Catholic and secular panelists illuminated lived experiences often ignored or misunderstood. At the Center on Halsted, we saw vibrant community programs alongside profound pain. Steven’s story of punitive “conversion therapy” at the hands of his childhood church was heartbreaking. These encounters called us to active solidarity, inclusion, and advocacy.
Our closing ritual and commissioning service brought all of our experiences together. We reflected on what we had seen, heard, and felt, and what we are called to do. Departing, we carried not only memories but a shared commitment — to accompany, to advocate, and to act. The Precious Blood Family left awakened, connected, and charged with new understanding, ready to meet our neighbors and the world with hearts open to the cry of the Blood.
Nancy Clisbee, St. Joseph, Missouri, Companion