A Life of Joy

Recently our religious Community held an assembly where all the members were encouraged to dream new dreams for the future of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. We are electing new leadership next year, so it was a time of preparation for us to be together and talk of all the things that are most important to us.

The theme of this assembly was A Bold, Hope-Filled Future Together. As we were charting a course for our future, we were encouraged to take a positive outlook. Any group that sees the future as a bright place of promise is more likely to walk with a lighter step than a group that sees nothing but doom and gloom ahead. The assembly was practical as well. We assigned committees to find ways to make our dreams come true.

One of the committees was assigned to look at ways that we could achieve a vibrant, joy-filled community life. Maybe this is a gender thing; maybe women would just instinctively know how to build joy into their schedule, but we guys have to work at it! Because we live in community with one another, and not in a typical family setting, community support is very important. Our brothers in our religious Community become like blood brothers to us. We have to be there for each other through thick and thin.

A joy-filled community life is something that comes up again and again among young people who are discerning a religious vocation. Few of them would want to join a community whose members do not enjoy life. We are quite clear with our discerners about all the challenges of a life of Christian service. But we also want to be sure that they see us enjoying ourselves, so that they know they are thinking of joining a happy family.

I believe that Jesus himself demonstrated that joy. That’s what drew so many people to him. He told his followers, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He found his deepest rest and refreshment when he was among friends.

And so we tell the young people who are being formed as Missionaries of the Precious Blood to expect to work hard but also to take time for those things that bring them joy: to draw, sing, play the guitar, run, hike, bike, eat pizza, see movies, watch the big game, play cards, do those things that make them smile, and when possible, do them together. To live as Jesus would wish us to live, we have to build joy into our lives—even if it takes a committee to do it.

For more information, please visit our vocation pages on this website or email vocation@cpps-preciousblood.org.