The Month of
The

Precious Blood

 The feast of the Precious Blood was introduced by Pope Pius IX in 1849. Its institution was to perpetuate the memory of the triumph of the French army in defeating the enemies of the Church that had driven the Pope from Rome, and to acknowledge that it was due to divine intervention that this had been possible. Pope Pius X changed the date of the feast to the first day of July.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me!
Body of Christ, save me!
Blood of Christ, inebriate me!
Water from the side of Christ, wash me!
Passion of Christ, strengthen me!
O good Jesus, hear me; within Your wounds, hide me;
permit me not to be separated from You;
from the malignant enemy, defend me;
in the hour of my death call me and bid me come to You,
that with Your saints, I may praise You, forever and ever. Amen.

Christ continually offers this Blood at the Mass. It is His Blood that cleanses the soul in Baptism and in Penance, and this Blood that strenthens and sanctifies the soul in the other Sacraments.

The blood of Jesus Christ was shed for mankind's redemption. 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.