MISSIONARI DEL PREZIOSISSIMO SANGUE. — Religious congregation founded Del Bufalo (v.) in 1815 at Giano dell'Umbria; Gregory XVI approved its Rule on 17 December 1841. Its purpose is the spread of devotion to the Most Precious Blood through preaching, especially missions, both among Christians and among infidels. It also embraces the more modern forms of the apostolate.
The M. live in community, bound not by vows but by a promise of fidelity, in observance of the Constitutions, free from austerity and modelled on the sacred canons. They dress like the secular clergy and, during preaching, wear on their chest a crucifix hanging from the neck by a chain.
The Congregation, despite the inevitable difficulties, immediately met with widespread favour, proving an effective instrument of Providence for healing society of all that ferment of revolutions, struggles and sects which characterised the nineteenth century. Pius VII found in it a valuable means of eradicating the brigandage that had developed in the Papal States during the Napoleonic period. Zealous priests, distinguished prelates, bishops, including s. Vincenzo Strambi, mons. Mastai Ferretti (later Pius IX), and cardinals, attracted by the great ideal of the blessed Del Bufalo, joined him
in devotion to Mary Immaculate, through missions, spiritual exercises and other works of the sacred ministry. Teaching in colleges and seminaries was subsequently added. The M. also devote themselves to the worship of Marian sanctuaries and to promoting pilgrimages, especially to Lourdes.
The mother house, following the Combes laws in France, was transferred to Buenos Aires, but was later brought back to Gaison near Tarbes. In 1947 the M.
as auxiliaries, taking part in his missions. Thus, alongside the effective M., there arose an institution of auxiliary M. which wrote glorious pages in the apostolate and contributed greatly to the consolidation of the nascent work. The Congregation spread rapidly in Italy and, immediately after the founder's death, abroad as well. Today, in addition to Italy, it has numerous centres in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, the United States of America, Chile and Brazil, where it conducts an extensive Mission among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. Men distinguished for holiness and learning, including the servant of God d. Giovanni Merlini, d. Biagio Valentini, d. Vincenzo Tani and d. Enrico Rizzoli, bishops and writers, have honoured its ranks.