Development and Formation
First Stage: Inquiry.
It all begins with an invitation to enter a period of inquiry with the Order of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ (OPS) or the Society of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ (SPS). At this time a potential candidate is introduced to the Precious Blood Community: its mission, spirituality and prayer life.
During this time, which generally can last for up to six months unless otherwise determined by the Director of the Order, the inquirer may begin the application process, which may include psychological and behavioral assessments. An admission committee reviews the application, which makes recommendations about the inquirer to the leadership of the Community.
Second Stage: Postulancy.
Initial Formation
A man or woman in the inquiry phase communicates regularly with a vocation sponsor, completes a discernment journal, attends discernment retreats and visits our house of initial formation as determined necessary. He or she is encouraged to be involved in ministry and to seek out spiritual direction.
If approved, the candidate begins initial formation, which lasts up to six months unless otherwise determined by the Director of the Order. Candidates in initial formation live in the secular community but follow a rule of formation to include prayer, reflection and regular reception of the Holy Eucharist. At this same time candidates learn more about the mission, ministry, spirituality and prayer life of the Order of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
Special Formation
After initial formation, the candidate makes his/her First Commitment to the Community, after which he/she enters special formation. The special formation program for our candidates can last up to 6 months or longer as determined by the Director of the Order.
After special formation a candidate may be temporarily incorporated into the Community as a Professed Member. At this time, it is usually clear to the candidate whether he or she is preparing for life as a religious brother or sister or as an oblate and whether his or her charism is Contemplative, or Community involved.
An oblate is a Christian, either clergy or layman, who seeks God through a formal relationship with a community but does not take the vows of obedience as executed by brothers and sisters and remains in the secular community. An oblate becomes a formal member of The Society of the Most Precious Blood, a body considered to be an extension of the Order of the Most Precious Blood, administered by the Director of the Order and which may have individuals appointed to assist in the life and activities of the Society taken from the body of the professed brothers and sisters toward and incorporating ALL teachings and directives of the Order.
A religious brother or sister makes a profession, or permanent commitment/vow, to the Community then lives a contemplative life of prayer or a life of service, ministry and prayer while living in the secular world. A brother’s and sister’s ministry can take many forms but always focuses on our main mission of ‘The Sanctity of Life’ and support of their home Anglican parish.
Advanced Formation
The next step is advanced formation for those desiring to become lay members of the Society and those who wish to become a brother or sister of the Order. In advanced formation, a candidate focuses specifically on his future ministry in the Church. He or she takes courses and/or training to better prepare him/her for the consecrated life. Brother and sister candidates participate in programs that prepare them for ministry, utilizing the gifts they bring to the Community.
Advanced formation usually lasts six months or longer as determined by the Director of the Order, after which the candidate makes Definitive Incorporation into the Community, during which he or she makes a permanent commitment to the OPS as a Permanent Professed Member. For brother and sister candidates, the definitive incorporation rite, celebrated as part of a Community liturgical celebration, is considered the final step in formation toward life as a religious brother or sister. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2: 12-14)
Precious Blood spirituality calls for inclusion, praying intently for those who feel unloved, rejected and alone, because of their contemplated or prior actions or the actions of others against the Sanctity of Life in the same way that Christ seeks them out.
Because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross reconciled all people to their Creator, the members of the Order consider reconciliation as central to their ministry. The Precious Blood of Jesus Christ has saved us. That salvation is not reserved for the few; through his sacrifice, Jesus saved all of creation from sin and torment.
The members of the Order have profound respect for the sacrament of reconciliation and the joy and peace it can bring to troubled hearts. Members of the Order also promote healing in quiet ways, in families and from person to person. They walk with people in turmoil, who are reeling from the pain and evil of abortion or other atrocities to the ‘Sanctity of Life.” In all these ways, they bring the Precious Blood of Jesus to those who are suffering, conflicted or alienated. Through their words and actions, they set out to demonstrate God’s boundless love for his children.
Candidates may choose to remain as oblates, or individuals, either laypersons or clergy, normally living in general society, who, while not permanently professed brothers or sisters, individually affiliate themselves with the Society of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.
A Brother or Sister is one who affiliates with the Order of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and:
- Experiences a baptismal call to discipleship as a call to be lived out through our community by the profession of religious vows and in the light of its special spirit or charism
- Desires to love God with their whole being using all his or her gifts for the love and service of God’s people in the defense of the innocent.
- Is prayerful, always desiring to grow in and to deepen his or her relationship with God, particularly with the reception of Holy Communion.
- Lives with a heart open to God’s love, promises and will for him/her expressed through mutual discernment within the community
- Is of the Church committed to faithful service in God’s world in love, respect and justice
- Is committed to sharing openly and generously in the life and mission of OPS
- May be called to the primarily contemplative life of prayer for the world
- Is open to the call of the religious community in service to others.
A Brother or Sister ‘Commits’ their lives to the rule of the Order through vows publicly spoken in the presence of peers and others and in the presence of Our Lord through liturgical script, a Mass of Inclusion, and reception of Holy Communion.
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