As an associate member of The Most Precious Blood Community, this week I had the privilege of visiting the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation located on Chicago’s Southside in the Back of the Yards and Englewood neighborhoods.
When PBMR was established in 2002 it mostly served young people who were re-entering the community after incarceration or were still incarcerated. Entering society after spending several years in prison brings several hurdles. PBMR believed that through relationships and strong community they could offer hospitality and accompaniment to those in need.
Today the ministry has grown to include all those impacted by violence.
PBMR works to create safe spaces for youth where they can grow and play apart from the violence, poverty, and trauma of their daily lives. Mentors offer youth opportunities to learn healthy life skills and just enjoy being a kid through community activities.
Many young adults in this community face tremendous challenges as they navigate street violence, incarceration, and family conflict. Case Managers accompany young adults as they work toward achieving their goals, whether it means visiting them in prison, going into their homes, or accompanying them to court. They identify needs and acquire resources to help youth heal and move forward.
The Women Forward Initiative seeks to engage women in activities that unite, heal and strengthen each participant in their physical, emotional, financial and spiritual development. It is dedicated to accompanying women and families impacted by the effects of violence and incarceration. They work with girls and women, especially mothers who have faced tragedy.
Meeting one of the mothers who was profoundly impacted by violence has changed my notion of Precious Blood. I’ve always thought of the “Precious Blood” as Christ’s Blood and of course, it is. But my understanding of precious blood has now been challenged to consider that our blood is also precious, that each of us has Christ’s saving blood running through our veins. While this mother retold the story of losing her son to violence, she refused to say he had passed away or that he had died, she wouldn’t even say that he had been killed. Her words: “My son was murdered.” She refuses to describe his death in any other manner. He was murdered. He had been shot in the face. When I had an opportunity to speak with her privately, I thanked her for her honesty. We cried and hugged and grieved as I suppose only parents can do. It felt as though she was hugging her son as she embraced me. I couldn’t help but think of my own boys, and I desperately wanted to feel their touch at that moment. She told me that she had been given the honor of holding her boy in her arms the day he was born and the honor of holding his bloody head in those same arms on the day he was murdered. I have no words to adequately describe her strength. This mother has amazing energy, faith, joy and love. I am humbled by her spirit. I cannot even imagine how she carries on as she gives back to the community that murdered her son. She works at the center helping other families navigate life after unimaginable devastation, loss and heartache. She provides radical hospitality to all whom she encounters as she honors the son who was lost.
And his precious blood.
Peace,
Denis
Learn more about the important work that PBMR does: https://www.pbmr.org/
