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Fr. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S., was happy to welcome donors to the canteen at the Community Blood Center of Dayton after they donated blood on October 21. It was the first of many blood drives that will be scheduled in the province in the coming year as part of the bicentennial celebration.

The units of blood collected on October 21 were the first toward the province’s goal of 1,000 units to mark the bicentennial year of the C.PP.S.

The goal of 1,000 units is meant to celebrate St. Gaspar’s words, “I wish that I could have a thousand tongues to endear every heart to the Precious Blood of Jesus.”

Those who donate at blood drives not sponsored by the C.PP.S. can still have their donations count toward the 1,000 units. Blood donors should email Cindy Sipes of the Cincinnati Province (prodirsec@cpps-preciousblood.org) to inform her of the donation.

For Fr. Anthony, the blood drives are a visual and visceral way to commemorate the Congregation’s 200th year. He began to donate blood while a student at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and has donated 103 units so far.

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“It struck me when I was a student, as I was growing in my appreciation for Precious Blood spirituality, that this was a tangible way that I could be a source of life for someone else,” he said. “Donating blood speaks to my heart. It’s a practical application for Precious Blood spirituality.”

October 21, the day of the first blood drive, “was a good day!” Fr. Anthony said. “I felt so grateful that people would take time out of their day,” said Fr. Anthony, who had promoted the blood drive at the three Dayton parishes where he ministers. “After donating blood, everybody has to sit down for 10 to 15 minutes and have a cookie and a beverage. That became a place to talk and get to know people better. Ministering in three parishes, I’m often running from one place to the next. It was great to have some relaxed time just to visit with the parishioners and hear stories about what is going on in their lives. That’s part of Precious Blood spirituality too: the sharing of stories and support.”

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