July is traditionally dedicated to devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. Linked with the devotions to the Most Holy Name of Jesus and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus was spread and popularized in the 19th century by a Roman priest named Gaspar del Bufalo.
In his apostolic letter On Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Pope John XXIII quotes the following portion of a sermon by St. John Chrysostom regarding the Precious Blood:
Let us,
then, come back from [the altar] table like lions breathing out fire, thus becoming
terrifying to the Devil, and remaining mindful of our Head and of the love he
has shown for us. . . This Blood, when worthily received, drives away demons
and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord
of angels. . . This Blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world
clean. . . This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church...
This thought will check in us unruly passions. How long, in truth, shall we be
attached to present things? How long shall we remain asleep? How long shall we
not take thought for our own salvation? Let us remember what privileges God has
bestowed on us, let us give thanks, let us glorify him, not only by faith, but
also by our very works.
The following prayer is taken from the Chaplet of the Precious Blood:
O most
Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, we honor, worship and adore You because of Your
work of the everlasting covenant that brings peace to mankind. Heal the wounds
in the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Console the Almighty Father on His throne
and wash away the sins of the whole world. May all revere You, O Precious
Blood, have mercy.
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