Like the Sacred Wounds of Jesus, His Precious Blood deserves special honor because of its close relation to the Sacred Passion. That honor was given to it from the beginning by the Apostles who praised its redeeming power. (Romans 5″9 “we are justified by His blood”; Hebrews 13:12 “and so Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people by His blood, suffered outside the gate”; 1 John 1:7 “and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.“)
The devotion was encouraged by Saint Caspar Buffalo (feast day is January 2nd), founder of the Congregation of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. When Pope Pius IX was in exile from Rome in 1849, he had as his companion Don Giovanni Merlini, the third general of that Congregation. This saintly priest suggested to the pope that he make a vow to give the feast of the Precious Blood to the entire church, if he should regain the papal territory. Without binding himself by the vow, the pope immediately extended the feast to the whole Church. It is celebrated now on July 1.
OFFERING IN REPARATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for the spread and exaltation of my dear Mother, Thy holy Church, for the preservation and welfare of her visible Head, the sovereign Roman Pontiff, for the cardinals, bishops and pastors of souls, and for all the ministers of the sanctuary.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for peace and concord among Catholic kings and princes, for the humbling of the enemies of our holy faith and for the welfare of all Thy Christian people.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for the conversion of unbelievers, the rooting-up of all heresies and the conversion of sinners.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for all my relations, friends and enemies, for those in need, in sickness and in tribulation, and for all those for whom Thou knowest that I am bound to pray, and willest that I should pray.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for all those who are to pass this day to the other life, that Thou wouldst deliver them from the pains of hell, and admit them with all speed to the possession of Thy glory.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for all men who are lovers of this great treasure and who are united with me in adoring and glorifying It and who labor to spread this devotion.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son, my Savior and my God, for all my needs, both temporal and spiritual, as an intercession for the holy souls in purgatory, and in an especial manner for those who were most devoted to this price of our redemption, and to the sorrows and sufferings of our dear Mother, Mary most holy.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, who hath saved us with His Blood!
Glory to the Blood of Jesus both now and for evermore and through the everlasting ages. Amen.
Indulgence of 3 (three) years; plenary indulgence on the usual conditions for the daily recitation of this act of oblation for a month. (220)
PRAYER TO JESUS
We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants: whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Indulgence of 300 days. (215)
PRAYER TO THE ETERNAL FATHER
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in atonement for my sins, and in supplication for the holy souls in purgatory and for the needs of holy Church.
Indulgence of 500 days; an indulgence of 3 years, if this prayer is recited during the month of July; plenary indulgence on the usual conditions for the daily recitation of this act of oblation for an entire month. (219)
PETITION
Lord Jesus Christ, who camest down from heaven to earth from the bosom of the Father, and didst shed Thy Precious Blood for the remission of our sins: we humbly beseech Thee, that in the day of judgment we may deserve to hear, standing at Thy right hand: “Come, ye blessed.” Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
ROMAN MISSAL
Indulgence of 5 years; plenary indulgence once a month on the usual conditions for the daily repetition of this prayer. (221)
* The faithful, who during the month of July devoutly take part in the public exercise which is held in honor of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, may gain:· an indulgence of 10 (ten) years on any day of the month; a plenary indulgence upon the addition of sacramental confession, Holy Communion, and pray for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff, if they are present at the exercises on at least ten days.
Those who during the month privately recite prayers or perform other pious exercises in honor of the same Precious Blood, may gain: an indulgence of 7 (seven) years once on each day; a plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if they persevere in their prayer throughout the month; where, however, a public exercise is held this indulgence is available only to those who are legitimately hindered from taking part in it. (217)
August – The Immaculate Heart of Mary – Next Page
June – The Sacred Hear – Previous Page
Prayers – Months of the Year – Start of Section
From The Prayer Book-Beautiful and Helpful Prayers from Ancient and Modern Sources edited by Reverend John P O’Connell, MA, STD and Jex Martin, MA The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago Illinois in 1959. 69-72. © 1954 Imprimatur Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago May 10 1954. Print.