Chapter Five
^{The Guilds}

The Missionary Servant Guilds originated about 1928, as one of the many lay branches of the Cenacle family. They have held an annual convention since 1932. Its purpose, to serve the community during the difficult times of the early beginnings. One might say their roots were entwined in the very roots of the Community itself since the original Guilds were founded by the parents, family and friends of the early community in response to the needs of the fledgling community. It was a time when in its extreme poverty the Missionary Servants could only turn to their family and friends for the support that was so necessary - not only for their physical welfare, but for the success of the works they were striving to accomplish. A brilliant facet of the Shrine's history is to be found in the loving and spirited loyalty of the Missionary Guilds. Brother Michael writes of the Guilds: "originally founded as fund raising groups by the parents and relatives of the Missionary Servant priests and brothers, the Missionary Servant Guilds, as they are now known, have been in existence for over thirty years.

"There is no calculating the tremendous influence these men have had in raising the Mission consciousness of our Guild Members, nor can one imagine the amount of prayerful and financial support generated by the loving dedication of the men and women members of the Guilds." The Guilds banded together in small groups that would hold every imaginable type of fund raising program to help in the activities of the community. Thus over the years dances, bingo, card and blanket parties, as well as, luncheons and the selling of chances on whatever provided a constant flow of funds. But along with this material effort, came their constant prayers and spirit of self-sacrifice and love, which gave a greater and far more important dimension to their activities. For the missionary spirit, the willingness to make sacrifices for Christ begins in one's home. Parents who raised children to live Christian lives communicated this spirit. And so the Guild members over these many years have touched the hearts of all with whom they have come into contact.

There is a family spirit among the guilds, a bond of unity which binds them as part of the Cenacle family of priests and brothers, in a cause which channels their energies, their works, and their ideals in this worthy cause.

The present Guilds are more or less autonomous. They elect their own officers and many vary in size from as few as five members to approximately 150 active members. They are located in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Laurel, Maryland. Even in their composition they are unique. A few are composed largely, if not entirely, of senior citizens, others of married couples from young to middle age. Several arc more prominently known than others. One of the more widely known, at least among the men generally, is the Sanctuary Guild. This group has over the years of its existence contributed literally hundreds of thousands to the community by providing materials for sacristies of many of our mission churches and chapels. One might almost say there is hardly an individual or mission that has not benefited from their labor of love.

It certainly would be difficult if not impossible to identify by name, those wonderful women and men, who from the first days till now, have so dedicated themselves to our works. It would be impossible to even list the individual Guilds from the early days to the present, whose prayers and sacrifices, not to say works and efforts, have meant so much to the successes we have on our Missions.

The Director of the Guilds is a Brother or Priest at the Shrine of St. Joseph. The Trinity Missions Guilds will continue being a power for good in ways that will enable the Missionary- Servants to continue their good work among God's poor and abandoned. Josephine Megaro, a member of the Shrine staff is the liaison with the Guilds.