Sanguis Christi Union

OFFICIAL NAME

ACRONYM

USC (Unione Sanguis Christi)

ESTABLISHED

1808

HISTORY

The USC was founded in Rome, at the Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere, by Canon Francesco Albertini, who called it the "Pious Association in Honour of The Most Precious Blood". Its primary purpose was to promote religious culture, the sacramental life and works of mercy among the lay faithful. It was erected as an Archconfraternity by Pius VII, and very shortly it was extended to take in religious and priest members. St Gaspare del Bufalo, who considered it to be a sound means of renewing Christian life, became its most fervent promoter, and when he founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, in 1815, he considered it to be spiritually united to the Archconfraternity. In 1851 Pope Pius IX constituted the Pious Union of the Most Precious Blood. It moved from San Nicola in Carcere and was placed under the Moderator General of the Missionaries with its headquarters in the head church of the Congregation. In 1951, Pope Pius XII reconfirmed its organisation and approved the new Statutes, which were once again updated following the second Vatican Council. On 24 May 1988, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed recognition of the Sanguis Christi Union as an international association of the faithful of Pontifical Right.

IDENTITY

USC, a spiritual family which grew up around the work of St Gaspare del Bufalo, strives to spread the spirituality of the blood of Christ according to the rule of life which is summed up in the words of the Gospel, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (Jn 15:13). In order to respond to this ideal of holiness, the members, who are admitted to the Union after an appropriate period of formation, dedicate themselves to listening to the Word of God; they mature baptismal grace through frequent participation in the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and by participating in the public worship of the Church through the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, which prepares and extends the praise, thanksgiving and memory of the mysteries of salvation to different hours of the day; cooperating in building up the Church and working for Church unity and the spread of the Kingdom of God in the world. The members of USC undertake to help create a social order based on justice and peace among peoples, within the bounds of their possibilities, and individually or in groups they co-operate with every initiative of the Church and civil society to improve the life and foster the dignity of the human person.

ORGANISATION

USC comprises individual members (laity, religious, priests) and associates (religious congregations, associations, confraternities) and is organised at the international, regional and local levels. The central director of the Union is the Moderator General of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood who, with the Council, is responsible for animating the association, disseminating the spirituality of the blood of Christ, and encouraging communication of experiences between the various regional units. At the regional and local levels, the work of the Union is coordinated by regional and local Directors, men and women.

MEMBERSHIP

USC has 10,800 members in 5 countries, as follows: Europe (2), North America (1), and South America (2).

WEB SITE

http://www.sangasparedelbufalo.pcn.net

HEADQUARTERS

Unione Sanguis Christi

c/o Curia Generalizia

Congregazione dei Missionari del Preziosissimo Sangue

Viale di Porta Ardeatina, 66 - 00154 Roma - Italy

Tel. [+39]06.5741656 - Fax 06.5742874

Email: cppsgeneralate@pcn.net