St. Gaspar

Our Founder

St. Gaspar del Bufalo is the founder of the Society of the Precious Blood. He was born in Rome on January 6, 1786. Early in his life already, Gaspar was moved to serve the poor, the sick and the outcast. Ordained on July 31, 1808, he became known as a gifted and popular preacher.

Not long after his ordination, Gaspar was exiled and imprisoned for refusing to take an oath of allegiance to Napoleon. The emperor had taken control of the Papal States and was forcing all the clergy of Rome to take the oath. Gaspar famously responded: "I would rather die or suffer evil than to take such an oath. I cannot, I must not, I will not."

Giano dell'Umbria, Italy

It was during his imprisonment that Gaspar began to envision a new religious community that would be dedicated to the blood of Christ. On August 15, 1815 he founded the Congregation of Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood in Giano. He wanted his missionaries to be people who were dedicated to preaching God's word-most especially through missions and retreats and with an emphasis on devotion to the Precious Blood-in order to be a source of on-going renewal for the people of God and for the world.

Gaspar died on December 28, 1837. On June 12, 1954, he was declared a saint of the Church. His feast is celebrated on October 21st.