Most Precious Blood of Jesus

July 1, 2022
Author: Hannah DeVivo

Peace be with you!

Today is July 1st, and this month is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. 

Why do we have a dedication to the Precious Blood? 
When Jesus came to die for our sins, He shed His Blood, which makes It the symbol of perfect redemption. His Blood is also a beautiful reminder of what He did voluntarily. Because Jesus was fully God and fully man, He was not governed by anything of this world. He could have chosen not to die, and above that, not be tortured and made to shed His blood. In John 10:18, Jesus says "I lay down my Life for my sheep. No one takes It from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay It down and I have the power to take It again." So, not only is this the Blood of our redeemer, but the intentional and voluntary gift of He who loves us more than His own comfort. 


Foreshadowing of Christ's Blood in the Bible 
The importance of His Blood has been mentioned throughout Scripture. Before the great exile in Egypt, God gave clear instructions on how the Hebrews were to avoid the last terrible plague. They were to be passed over if their households were marked with the blood of an unblemished lamb. Of course, the blood of an animal was not what truly saved them, but rather the symbol of the truly blameless and sacrificial Lamb who was to come: Jesus. Exodus 12:5-7, and 11-13 says this:

"Your lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. You will keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole community of Israel assembled, it will be slaughtered during the evening twilight. They will take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it." "This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you will eat it in a hurry. It is the Lord’s Passover. For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn in the land, human being and beast alike, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the Lord! But for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you." 

In the chapter of Isaiah, there is a dialogue between him and the "Divine Warrior". In this conversation, the Warrior is Christ and His garments are red with the blood of His redemption. He alone was the One who paid the ransom for our freedom. Isaiah 63:1-6 records it as follows:

"Who is this that comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments, from Bozrah? Who is this, glorious in his apparel, striding in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, I who announce vindication, mighty to save.” Why is your apparel red, and your garments like one who treads the wine press?“The wine press I have trodden alone, and from the peoples no one was with me. I trod them in my anger, and trampled them down in my wrath; Their blood spurted on my garments, all my apparel I stained. For a day of vindication was in my heart, my year for redeeming had come. I looked about, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that there was no one to lend support; So my own arm brought me victory and my own wrath lent me support. I trampled down the peoples in my anger, I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their blood upon the ground.”



Liturgy of the Most Precious Blood 
Before Vatican II, July 1st was regarded as the Solemnity of the Precious Blood. In a Missal from that time, there was beautiful liturgy. I have a few beautiful examples from that text that I would love to share with you. 
Introductory prayers: "You have redeemed us, O Lord, with Your Blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us for our God a kingdom. Almighty, eternal God, Who made Your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be reconciled by His Blood, grant us, we beseech You, so to worship in this sacred rite the price of our salvation, and to be so protected by its power against the evils of the present life on earth, that we may enjoy its everlasting fruit in heaven, Through the same, Amen. 
During the offertory: "The Cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the sharing of the Blood of Christ? And the Bread that we break, is it not the partaking of the Body of the Lord? Through this divine rite, we beseech You, may we draw near to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and renew upon Your altar, O Lord of hosts, the sprinkling of blood more eloquent than that of Abel. Through the Same, Amen." 

Products to adore the Most Precious Blood 
Here at Autom, we have several lovely sources to aid in your devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus: 
  1. My Favorite Catholic Chaplets. This book contains a chaplet to the Precious Blood. 
  2. Sacred Heart Prayer Book. In here we have a beautiful prayer to the wounded Heart of Jesus. 
  3. Treasury of Litanies. The litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus can be found in this treasury.

Before You Go

Do you have a devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus?

Did you grow up honoring the Precious Blood in the month of July?

Have you learned anything new in this article?

I would LOVE to hear from you. Send me an email to Catholic-Living@Autom.com Be sure to follow and subscribe to the links below for more tips and information.