Adult Educational Materials

This article is the Keynote Address given by Sr. Barbara E. Reid, O.P., at the 2010 Precious Blood Convocation on July 27, 2010.  The convocation was a gathering of approximately 300 members and lay associates of the Precious Blood Religious Congregations serving throughout North America.  The theme of the convocation was "Who will speak a word that will rouse them?  I can, I must, I will. Will you?" In her talk, Barbara Reid reflects upon the call to prophetic leadership in response to the needs of the church and the world today.

"Shame is, according to James Fowler, different from guilt. In guilt, the things I do can be separated from who I am. It can be separated from my worth as a person. I can do something wrong and still think of myself as a good or worthy person. Shame, however, is about who I am. It is about others seeing me as who I am. Shame is about being exposed to others, or to myself, as being defective, lacking or inadequate. In shame we feel our deficiencies are out there for all to see." (Brief article with reflection questions)

"There are in Sacred Scripture any number of passages that could be invoked as a job description for those who wish to be followers of Jesus. One that seems the Gospel of Luke, 9: 2–3. In this passage, Jesus tells his apostles three things: they are to proclaim the Good News of God’s arriving kingdom, they are to be healers, and they are to be unencumbered. Perhaps by a priority of nature, unencumbered comes first, then healing (for words without action are not credible and convincing) and finally proclamation of the Word." (Brief article with reflection questions)

“So often when we reflect upon the birth of Jesus we reflect upon Mary’s response to God’s plan. While this was present in the movie, we were encouraged to spend some time with Joseph, the husband of Mary, and to see him as a model for our call to selfless giving and reconciliation of head and heart.” (Brief article with reflection questions)

“At the time, my patience was worn as thin as a razor’s edge. But later the experience of waiting at the gate offered an Advent lesson—one that has less to do with patience and more to do with hope.” (Brief article with reflection questions)

This booklet is a discernment journal for those who are interested in learning more about the Lay Associates of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The content of the booklet can also be used for personal reflection and small group reflection providing study chapters on the life of St. Gaspar, the spirituality of the cup, and the cross, as well as reflections on the spirituality of covenant.

The Discernment Journal is a tool that is used in vocational discernment for those who are interested in learning more about the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The journal can also be used for personal reflection and enrichment with reflections modules that look at the life of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, a description of a Society of Apostolic Life as well as three aspects of our Precious Blood Spirituality, namely, The Blood of the covenant, The Blood of the Cross and the Cup of Christ’s Blood.