July Belongs to Jesus: Rediscovering the Precious Blood Devotion

While everyone associates July with fireworks, grilling, and American flags, Our Lord beckons us to commemorate a higher feast: the month-long devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

An Overlooked Devotion

The words of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, who founded the Congregation of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, fittingly introduce this devotion.

“No! the chastisements of God are not yet at an end; still more sorrowful times are ahead; and divine justice will be placated by the devotion to the Blood of Jesus Christ.”

Liturgically, July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The Church celebrates the official Feast of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord on the first of the month, and the devotion extends throughout the entire month. This devotion is as old as Christianity itself, showing that it has always been sacred to followers of Christ.

As we begin the month of the Precious Blood of Christ, it's important to understand the true meaning of this devotion and how we can practice it in a way that pleases our Father.

The History Behind the Devotion

Honoring Jesus' blood has been a practice since the early days of the Church. However, this devotion did not have an official feast attached to it until 1849, when Pope Pius IX instituted the July 1st feast day we celebrate today. This occurred while Pope Pius IX was exiled in Gaeta during the First Italian War for Independence.

The third superior general of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood accompanied the Pope and suggested that Pius create a feast dedicated to the Precious Blood to plead for God's mercy. Pius listened and announced the establishment of the feast on June 30. Incredibly, the war ended shortly after that. The Pope returned to Rome and made a formal declaration that the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ would be celebrated on the first Sunday in July. Pope Pius X later fixed July 1st as the permanent feast day.

Why This Devotion Still Matters

Through Jesus' blood, we were all redeemed, and the Church and Sacraments were born. Hebrews 9:14 says, "...how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" His blood washed away our sins and paid the price for them, making us clean and new. Venerating the Lord's blood honors and shows our gratitude for His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It atones for our sins. Thus, it should be an integral part of the Catholic Faith.

By practicing this devotion, we venerate and adore the Blood of our Savior, invoke His mercy, and strive to imitate His selflessness and love. We recognize that our sins--so ugly and hateful to God--cost Jesus His life, and we vow to make amends.

In this devotion, we also acknowledge the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He shed his blood for us and offered it up as a Sacrament. In return, we must venerate It properly and accept It with the utmost gratitude and reverence. He freely gave up His life for His children and generously allows us to receive Him every day at Mass.

How to Honor the Precious Blood

During July, the Church encourages us to practice one or more of the devotions which She has blessed. Some great ones to start with are the Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood, the Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the Offering in Reparation to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, An Offering of the Precious Blood for Souls, and the Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood. Each of these prayers focuses on different aspects of Christ's Passion and sacrificial love. For example, the Litany invites us to meditate on the saving power of His Blood, while the Chaplet is prayed on a special rosary and offers atonement for sin.

It's also a good time to make the Consecration to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. If you're looking to deepen your devotion even further, consider reading a book on the subject, such as the Apostolate for the Precious Blood's Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The Greatest Devotion of Our Time.

The great St. John Chrysostom once said of the Blood of Jesus, “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."

If even the saints in Heaven venerated the Precious Blood while on earth, so should we. The emphasis they placed on this devotion gives Christians all the more reason to honor it.

Don't let this July slip away without making even a small act of love or reparation to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. A reverent, contrite prayer offered from the heart, no matter how simple, will please God and bring you closer to Him.

And that will bring you one step closer to the ultimate goal: eternal life with our Loving Father.