MARIA STEIN, Ohio—The Sisters of the Precious Blood are celebrating the 175th anniversary of their founding with a yearlong slate of events.

The Maria Stein Center/Relic Shrine — an important site in the congregation’s history and current ministry  — is hosting an outdoor Mass at 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Precious Blood Father Kenneth Schroeder is to preside. Those attending the Mass are invited to bring a lawn chair.

Following the Mass, a picnic-style meal provided by the sisters is to be hosted at the center’s patio area, where tables and chairs are available. The center’s building will be open from noon to 7 p.m., except during the Mass. Visitors may visit the adoration and relic chapels, museum, gift shop and a special historical display.

The Mass and picnic provide an opportunity for the sisters to thank the people of the area for their support and friendship over these 175 years and for families and individuals to enjoy a summertime afternoon spiritual and social event with the sisters, tour the center and relax on the spacious grounds.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood were founded by Mother Maria Anna Brunner in Switzerland in 1834 and came to the United States 10 years later. In 1846 the Sisters and Missionaries (priests and brothers) of the Precious Blood came to Maria Stein, which was also the sisters’ motherhouse for 77 years and an active convent for many years after. Today it remains an important site for spirituality, prayer and pilgrimage as well as a historical center for the congregation.