Precious Blood Missionaries Mark 200 Years

The Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S) are celebrating this year the 200th anniversary of the founding of the congregation by St. Gaspar del Bufalo, a native of Rome.

As part of activities to mark the bicentenary, an international reconciliation service was held at San Gaspar Parish in Rome on Tuesday evening in which three Precious Blood missionaries gave witness talks.

In his reflection, Fr. Joseph Nassal spoke about how reconciliation is the meeting place of justice, truth, mercy and peace. He said, “Reconciliation should lead us to reestablish relationships.” The Congregation of the Precious Blood, he said “calls on its members to be ministers of healing and of peace.” On his part, Fr. Juan Carlos Barajas said reconciliation is directed towards others and the members of his congregation should make that Mission theirs. The third speaker, Fr. Terenzio Pastore re-echoed the words of St. Pope John Paul II following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US, when he said “There can be no peace without justice, there is no justice without forgiveness.” Fr. Pastore said in his personal experience, “the victims of mafia violence demand first and foremost truth and justice.” Unfortunately, he said “many have not received either.”

In Africa, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood are found in Tanzania and Guinea Bissau.

Festus Tarawalie

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