Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
Encyclopedia
The Servants of the Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic contemplative, but not cloistered, congregation of sisters with a focus on Eucharistic adoration
.
It was founded in France
in 1858 by Saint Peter Julian Eymard
, who was also known as the Apostle of the Eucharist. Sister Marguerite Guillot collaborated with Eymard and became the first Superior General
for the congregation, which was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1871.
Over the years, the congregation spread outside France and now has houses in Canada, Brazil, Holland, the United States, Australia, Italy, the Philippines, Vietnam and Africa. The houses maintain continuous Eucharistic adoration
, but also perform charitable and outreach activities. The congregation's generalate is in Rome
, Italy
.
This congregation is distinct from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
which was also formed by Saint Peter Julian Eymard
.
In January 1996, a tragedy occurred at the Sisters' oldest American convent, located in Waterville, Maine
. A mentally ill man broke into the convent in the middle of a winter storm, and attacked four of the nine Sisters who lived there. Two, including the Mother Superior
were killed, while another was so severely injured that she had to be placed in a nursing home
.
Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic adoration is a practice in the Roman Catholic Church, and in a few Anglican and Lutheran churches, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to and adored by the faithful....
.
It was founded in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1858 by Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Peter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest, founder of two religious orders, and a canonized saint....
, who was also known as the Apostle of the Eucharist. Sister Marguerite Guillot collaborated with Eymard and became the first Superior General
Superior general
A Superior General, or General Superior, is the Superior at the head of a whole religious order or congregation.The term is mainly used as a generic term, while many orders and congregations use other specific titles, notably:* Abbot general...
for the congregation, which was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1871.
Over the years, the congregation spread outside France and now has houses in Canada, Brazil, Holland, the United States, Australia, Italy, the Philippines, Vietnam and Africa. The houses maintain continuous Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic adoration is a practice in the Roman Catholic Church, and in a few Anglican and Lutheran churches, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to and adored by the faithful....
, but also perform charitable and outreach activities. The congregation's generalate is in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
This congregation is distinct from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
which was also formed by Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Peter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest, founder of two religious orders, and a canonized saint....
.
In January 1996, a tragedy occurred at the Sisters' oldest American convent, located in Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
. A mentally ill man broke into the convent in the middle of a winter storm, and attacked four of the nine Sisters who lived there. Two, including the Mother Superior
Abbess
An abbess is the female superior, or mother superior, of a community of nuns, often an abbey....
were killed, while another was so severely injured that she had to be placed in a nursing home
Nursing home
A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
.
External links
- Servants of the Blessed Sacrament http://www.blesacrament.org
- "A Community Heals" http://www.colby.edu/colby.mag/issues/85n2/heals.html