“Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy, Flow upon us"
St. Catherine of Siena
The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood.
The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.
“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”
Source: Catholic Culture
The Old Testament
Cain and Abel are making an offering. Abel’s sacrifice is pleasing to God, Cain’s is not. This gives rise to the sin of hatred, and fratricide is its resolution. The thirsting earth soaks up Abel’s blood as it shouts to heaven for vengeance. This shouting prefigured the scene on Calvary, where Christ’s Blood cried to heaven for the redemption of mankind.
Millenia pass, and now we see Israel oppressed by Egypt. God commands the people to kill a lamb and to sprinkle the doorposts with its blood; houses thus besprinkled are spared by the messenger of death. But where the doors are not reddened with the blood of the lamb, all male firstborn from king to slave die. This blood on the doorposts was a type of the Blood of Christ. Can the blood of a lamb save a man? No, but as a figure of the Redeemer’s Blood it certainly does. For when the Destroyer sees the thresholds of a human heart marked with Christ’s sacred Blood, he must pass by. And another soul is saved.
In a vision the prophet Isaias saw a man treading out grapes (in the Orient, trampling upon grapes in the wine-press was the usual means of extracting the juice). The prophet asked the man: “Why are your garments so red? “The wine-press I have trodden alone,” he answers, “because from the nations there is no one with me.” The trodder of the wine-press is Christ, His garments crimsoned by the Blood of redemption.
Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace , Pius Parsch
The New Testament
The Church reminds us of the first drops of blood that flowed for our redemption on the day when Jesus was circumcised.
It is night on Mount Olivet, and the moon is shining. We see the holy face crimsoned with blood during the agony in the garden.
Unhappy, despairing Judas casts the blood-money down in the temple. “I have betrayed innocent blood!”
In the scourging chamber we see the Lord in deepest humiliation; under raw strokes the divine Blood spurts out over the floor. Christ is led before Pilate. Pilate shows the blood-covered Body to the crowds: Ecce homo! We go through Jerusalem’s streets following the bloody footsteps to Golgotha. Down the beams of the Cross blood trickles. A soldier opens the sacred side. Water and Blood.
Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace , Pius Parsch
Symbols of the Precious Blood
Adam is sleeping an ecstatic sleep. God opens his side, removes a rib and forms Eve, the mother of all the living. But our view transcends this action and in spirit we behold the second, the divine Adam, Christ. He is sleeping the sleep of death. From His opened side blood and water flow, symbols of baptism and the Eucharist, symbols of the second Eve, the Church, the Mother of all the living. Through blood and water Christ willed to redeem God’s many children and to lead them to an eternal home.
At Jerusalem a service in Yahweh’s honor is taking place on the Day of Atonement. The high priest is making his annual entrance into the holy of holies to sprinkle the blood of bucks and bulls upon the covenant in expiation for the sins of the people. The Church shows us the higher meaning of this rite. Our divine High Priest Christ on the first Good Friday entered that Holy of Holies which is not made with hands nor sprinkled with the blood of bucks and bulls; there He effects, once and for all, with His own Blood man’s eternal redemption.
A finale. Holy Church transports us to the end. The heavenly liturgy is in progress. Upon the altar is the Lamb, slain yet alive, crimsoned by His own Blood. Round about stand the countless army of the redeemed in garments washed white in the Blood of the Lamb. Hosts of the blessed are singing the new canticle of redemption: “You have redeemed us out of every tribe and tongue and nation by Your Blood.”
Now from vision to present reality. How fortunate we are to have divine Blood so near to us, to offer it to the heavenly Father for the sins of the whole world!
Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace , Pius Parsch
Devotion to the Precious Blood
Devotion to the Precious Blood is not a spiritual option, it is a spiritual obligation, and that not only for priests, but for every follower of Christ. I really believe that one of the symptoms of modern society (and I would even include, sadly, modern Catholic society) one of the symptoms of a growing, gnawing secularism is the lessening and the weakening of devotion to the Precious Blood. Devotion, as we know, is a composite of three elements: It is first- veneration, it is secondly- invocation, and it is thirdly- imitation. In other words, devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, is first of all to be veneration on our part, which is a composite of knowledge, love and adoration. We are to study to come to a deeper understanding of what those two casual words, Precious Blood, really mean.
I found this passage in the oldest document, outside of sacred scripture, from the first century of the Christian era – to be exact, from Pope St. Clement I, dated about 96 A.D. Says Pope Clement: “Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious It is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world.”
To understand the meaning of the Precious Blood we must get some comprehension of the gravity of sin, of the awfulness of offending God, because it required the Blood of the Son of God to forgive that sin. We are living in an age in which to sin has become fashionable.
This veneration of the Precious Blood, which is the first element in our devotion to the Precious Blood means that we have a deep sensitivity to the awfulness of sin. Sin must be terrible. It must be awful. It must be the most dreadful thing in the universe. Why? Because it cost the living God in human form the shedding of His Blood.
Lord Jesus, You became Man in order by your Passion and Death and the draining of your Blood on the Cross, might prove to us how much You, our God, love us. Protect us, dear Jesus, from ever running away from the sight of blood. Strengthen our weak human wills so that we will not only not run away from the cross, but welcome every opportunity to shed our blood in spirit in union with your Precious Blood, so that, dying to ourselves in time we might live with You in Eternity. Amen
Excerpted from The Precious Blood of Christ, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
From the time of the Passion, when Christ poured out His blood for our salvation, the faithful have practiced devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. In the month of July, the Church honors the Precious Blood and encourages us in this devotion. The traditional feast day devoted to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ is July 1st.
The devotion has its scriptural roots in numerous references from the New Testament. In Romans 5:9, we read of justification by His blood. In Hebrews 10:19, we read of our sanctification and consecration by the Precious Blood. In 1 John 1:7 we are told that it cleanses us from all sin.
Romans 5:9: “Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.”
Hebrews 10: 19-22: “Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
John 1:6-7: “If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin”
Many saints have spoken of devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus; notable among them is St. Catherine of Siena, who often wrote about the Precious Blood of Jesus in her Dialogue—a written account of her mystical visions.
In more recent times, this devotion has more widely taken root in our Catholic tradition. Devotion to the Precious Blood spread greatly through the prayer, preaching, and work of Bl. Gaspar del Bufalo, a 19th century Roman priest, and founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
Blessed Gaspar brought this beloved devotion out of the sanctuary and into the hearts of Catholics around the world. It is through his life’s work that the devotion grew widespread in the Church.
Constant Prayer of St. Catherine of Siena to the Precious Blood of Jesus.
The faithful are encouraged to honor the Precious Blood always and especially during the month of July. Consider making an act of love to the Precious Blood every day this month, such as an Act of Consecration to the Precious Blood of Jesus (below) and the Litany of the Precious Blood (below) as an act of love and reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us!
Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace!
Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us!
Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena
The Precious Blood courses through the Church, giving life to the Body of Christ. It was the cleansing agent that allowed the holy saints and martyrs to wash their robes clean. It is the price of our redemption, the object of our salvation, and the assurance of our eternal inheritance.
As we honor the Precious Blood of Jesus in union with the Church this month, may it awaken in our hearts a love and gratitude for Christ’s gift to us, for He has saved us by His blood.
Consecration to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
Conscious, merciful Savior, of my nothingness and of Thy sublimity, I cast myself at Thy feet and thank Thee for the many proofs of Thy grace shown unto me, Thy ungrateful creature. I thank Thee especially for delivering me by Thy Precious Blood from the destructive power of Satan. In the presence of my dear Mother Mary, my guardian angel, my patron saint, and of the whole company of heaven, I dedicate myself voluntarily with a sincere heart, O dearest Jesus, to Thy Precious Blood, by which Thou hast redeemed the world from sin, death and hell. I promise Thee, with the help of Thy grace and to the utmost of my strength to stir up and foster devotion to Thy Precious Blood, the price of our redemption, so that Thy adorable Blood may be honored and glorified by all. In this way, I wish to make reparation for my disloyalty towards Thy Precious Blood of love, and to make satisfaction to Thee for the many profanations which men commit against that precious price of their salvation. O would that my own sins, my coldness, and all the acts of disrespect I have ever committed against Thee, O Holy Precious Blood, could be undone. Behold, O dearest Jesus, I offer to Thee the love, honor and adoration, which Thy most Holy Mother, Thy faithful disciples and all the saints have offered to Thy Precious Blood. I ask Thee to forget my earlier faithlessness and coldness, and to forgive all who offend Thee. Sprinkle me, O Divine Savior, and all men with Thy Precious Blood, so that we, O Crucified Love, may love Thee from now on with all our hearts, and worthily honor the price of our salvation. Amen.
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
For All Benefactors of this Devotion
Our Father*…Hail Mary*…Glory Be*
Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
L: Lord, have mercy on us
R: Lord, have mercy on us
L: Christ, have mercy on us
R: Christ, have mercy on us
L: Lord, have mercy on us
R: Lord, have mercy on us
L: Christ, hear us
R: Christ, graciously hear us
L: God, the Father of heaven
*have mercy on us
L: God the Son, Redeemer of the world *
L: God, the Holy Spirit *
L: Holy Trinity, One God *
L: O most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, the Blood of Salvation
R: Cover us and the whole world.
The ocean of the Blood of
Jesus Christ
*set us free
The Blood of Jesus Christ,
Full of holiness and compassion *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
Our strength and power
*set us free
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The Everlasting Covenant *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The foundation of the Christian faith *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The armor of God *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The Divine Charity *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The scourge of demons *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The help of those in bondage *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The sacred wine *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The power of Christians *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The defender of the Catholic wall *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The Christian’s true faith *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The healing blood
*save us
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The anointing blood
*save us Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The boldness of the children of God
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The commander of Christian warriors
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The blood of resurrection
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The drink of heavenly angels
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The consolation of God the Father
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The power of the Holy Spirit
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The circumcision of the Gentiles
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The peace of the world
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The sunshine of heaven and earth
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The rainbow in heaven
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The hope of innocent children
* Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The Word of God in our hearts *save us
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The heavenly weapon *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The Divine Wisdom *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The foundation of the world *
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
The mercy of God the Father *
L: O most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
R: Cleanse the sins of the world
L: O most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
R: Refine the world
L: O most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
R: Teach us how to console Jesus
Let us Pray
O Precious Blood of our salvation, we believe, hope and trust in You. Deliver all those that are in the hands of the infernal spirits we beseech You. Protect the dying against the works of evil spirits and welcome them into Your eternal glory. Have mercy on the whole world and strengthen us to worship and console the Sacred Heart. We adore you, O Precious Blood of mercy. Amen.
L: O most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
R: Heal the wounds in the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. (repeat 3 times)
Hymn
Blood of Jesus
Blood of Jesus
Blood of Jesus, cover us (3 times)
Adoration Precious Blood of Jesus
Adoration Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
We adore You Precious Blood of Jesus
We adore You Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
Adoration Precious Blood of Jesus
Adoration Precious Blood of Jesus Christ