To: All Adorers of the Blood of Christ,
Associates, Sojourners
and Lay Consecrated Women
“ For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all thing for him, making peace by the blood of his cross, whether those on earth or those in heaven.”
Colossians 1: 19-20
Dear Sisters and Members of the Family of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ,
As I write this letter, we are making the immediate preparations for the great Precious Blood Family Jubilee here in Rome. Close to 2000 will participate from nearly every continent. At the same time, sisters near perpetual profession are arriving for their month long seminar together and our pre-novices are making their way to the novitiate in Rome. There is excitement, energy and anticipation here in the Congregation’s House. The “fullness of Christ” dwelling among us in so many ways.
What will it mean to celebrate this special feast in this Jubilee of Hope? How will we Sow Seeds of Hope and Promote Communion in a world so fractured and fragile? Our charism and mission are so necessary, so needed. What is ours to do? That has been my constant prayer.
I was reading a bit of history of this feast and noticed that in 1934, during the Jubilee Year of Redemption, July 1, was made a “solemnity”, which later was combined with the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. However, the Precious Blood Family has kept July 1, as a titular feast. Everywhere in the world, we come together, we remember the great gift of Christ’s Precious Blood, given for the LIFE of the world, the tender love of Jesus for all without reserve. The Blood of Christ that makes peace through all the joy, pain and suffering.
The General Administration has been completing our Canonical Visit of the Region Italy (not yet in Argentina and Philippines Missions and Guinea Bissau Foundation). As we made our way from one area to another, we were constantly struck by the welcome, the hospitality, the “presence” of our sisters from the youngest to the oldest. Every Adorer holds in her heart a deep passion for the mission and the spirit of our congregation for the life of the world, our dear neighbor. We adore Christ present in every person and situation we meet.
Our new Pope Leo XIV reminded us on the day of the Beginning of his Ponticate:
“Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.
In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest. For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world. We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one. This is the path to follow together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns!”
Our General Assembly Direction Statement of 2023, calls us to this very spirit. “Like St. Maria De Mattias, a woman passionate for mission to her dear neighbor we state our commitment to collaborate in Christ’s redemptive work by caring for the beauty of life in respect for the dignity of every person and being ready to go to the peripheries with God’s compassion.”
How are you invited to enter into the work of reconciling compassion?
Who are the “dear neighbors” needing your presence and compassion?
Where are the “peripheries” that need you to bring God’s compassion?
With the light of the Holy Spirit, the courage of St. Maria De Mattias, the passion of St. Gaspar del Bufalo , the guidance of Bl. Giovanni Merlini and all our Holy Sisters and Brothers, let us continue to seek “that beautiful order of things that the great Son of God came to establish in his own Blood.” (St. Maria De Mattias)
Together, as one family in the Blood of Christ, as brothers and sisters, let us walk towards God and love one another.
In Christ’s tender love and peace,
Rome, Italy
July 1, 2025
Sr. Maria L. Hughes, ASC
General Superior
With the Sisters of the General Administration
Sr. Wiesława Przybyło, ASC Councilor
Sr. Patrizia Pasquini, ASC Councilor
Sr. Danijela Anić, ASC Councilor
Sr. Florida Evaristi Malenda, ASC Councilor
Sr. Barbara Perali, ASC Secretary
Sr. Monica Rini, ASC Treasurer