Musician for and Participant in the C.PP.S General Assembly

by Sr. Nylas Moser, ASC

At the invitation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, I served as musician for their General Assembly from September 1-18, 2025.  My ministry was to plan and play music for the Masses and Vespers.  In addition, with five other guests, including Sr. Wiesława Przybylo, ASC, I participated in the input and the discussions—no voting rights, of course!

The first week was spent in Rome at Via Narni, the Italian Provincial House.  There, each attendee was assigned a table for sharing and discussion.  On September 2, all donned their white polo shirts with the logo of the assembly: “Blood of Christ, Hope for the World.”  This attire identified our pilgrimage group to St. Peter’s Basilica, where we went through the Holy Door.  Each day (throughout the Assembly) began with lectio divina.  Reports were heard from the Moderator General, the provinces, vicariates, and missions.  The congregation’s Core Values, approved at the 2019 General Assembly, were reviewed.

The second week included travel to Giano, (foundation place of the missionaries) and to Assisi.  There, the Assembly was led in retreat for three days by facilitator Fr. Ben Berinti.  Elections were held and rejoicing was evident among all in the hall.  Elections ended early, thus giving all of us time to relax and to visit any of the various holy places in Assisi.  Our final Mass there was in the church where St. Carlos Acutis is entombed. Also, of all the organs I played, this one was the best—all stops, keys, and pedals worked!

The last week of the Assembly concerned the Core Values and Implementation Strategies.  And, we had one more trip to the Vatican:  Everyone dressed up to attend the audience with Pope Leo XIV.  We shared the audience with three other Congregations holding their General Assemblies.  The Holy Father delivered a prepared address, personally greeted each of the General Councils, and gave all of us a blessing.  

On September 19, the final official gathering was to celebrate Mass at the church near the Trevi Fountain commonly called “The Crociferi,” where St. Gaspar is entombed.  At the beginning of the liturgy, the urn of Giovanni Merlini was blessed in its new, beautifully adorned space.

Significant for Merlini, on either side of the urn are, in bronze, the olive tree, for his being a man of peace, and the grapevine, for his love for and promotion of devotion to the Precious Blood.  St. Gaspar and Bl. Giovanni Merlini are positioned opposite each other in the church.

Other places visited included Spoleto, birthplace of Merlini and Albano, where we witnessed the Ritual of Definitive Incorporation of Davide Amati.

My last few days in Rome were spent visiting our sisters at the Generalate and at the Italian Region House. I also made my way to see various places significant to St. Gaspar and St. Maria De Mattias. 

Serving as musician was accompanied by a greater appreciation of our Precious Blood brothers and the scope of their charism.  I am grateful for having been invited to render music for this pivotal moment in their congregation.

See pictures and videos at https://ga2025.cppsmissionaries.org/