If June is the month of the Sacred Heart (Love), July is the month of the Precious Blood (The Price). You cannot have love without sacrifice. And the measure of Christ's love is every drop of blood He spilled.
St. Peter puts it bluntly:
"You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold... but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19).
It is the most powerful substance in the universe. One drop could save a billion worlds. Yet He shed it all. Here is why Catholics honor the Blood of God—and why demons flee from it.
1. The 7 Bloodsheddings
Devotion to the Precious Blood usually focuses on the seven times Jesus spilled his blood for us. Meditate on these:
- The Circumcision: (Infancy) The first drops. He was only 8 days old. He entered the covenant of Abraham in pain.
- The Agony in the Garden: (Thursday Night) The psychological stress was so great that his capillaries burst. He sweat blood (Hematidrosis). This was for our sins of anxiety and fear.
- The Scourging at the Pillar: (Friday Morning) Roman flagrum tore his flesh. This blood was for our sins of the flesh (lust, gluttony).
- The Crowning with Thorns: (Friday Morning) Deep punctures in the head. This was for our sins of pride and intellect.
- The Carrying of the Cross: (The Way of the Cross) The cross rubbed his shoulder raw. He fell and scraped his knees. Blood marked the streets of Jerusalem.
- The Crucifixion: (Noon) Nails through hands and feet. The ultimate fixture of love.
- The Piercing of the Side: (3:00 PM) Blood and Water flowed out. The birth of the Church.
2. A Brief History: St. Gaspar
The champion of this devotion is St. Gaspar del Bufalo (19th century). He was a priest who refused to swear allegiance to Napoleon. He was exiled. When he came back, Rome was a mess. Bandits were everywhere. The people were lukewarm. He preached the Precious Blood as the solution. He founded the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He said:
"I wish I could have a thousand tongues to endear every heart to the Precious Blood of Jesus."
Pope St. John XXIII was a huge fan. He approved the Litany of the Precious Blood for public use in 1960.
3. Why Demons Hate It
Exorcists tell us that the devil hates the Precious Blood more than almost anything. Why? Because the Blood is the "receipt" of his defeat. It is the purchase price. When you plead the Blood of Jesus over your family, you are effectively putting up a "Property of Jesus Christ - Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" sign. In the Old Testament (Passover), the Israelites put the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, and the Angel of Death passed over. We put the Blood of the Lamb on our souls. The enemy cannot touch us.
4. How to Practice the Devotion
A. The Litany
Pray the Litany of the Most Precious Blood daily in July. Responses include: "Save us," and "Cleanse us."
"Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross... Save us." "Blood of Christ, price of our salvation... Save us." "Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness... Save us."
B. Holy Communion
When you receive the Eucharist (even just the Host), you are receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. Make a deliberate act of love for His Blood. Tell Him: "Wash me."
C. The "Offering" Prayer
A simple morning prayer:
"Eternal Father, I offer You the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen." (St. Gertrude).
Conclusion: Don't Waste It
There is an old story of a saint who saw an angel walking around the church during Mass, catching drops of something in a golden chalice. The angel was catching the distracted prayers of the people? No. The angel was catching the wasted graces of the Precious Blood that people were ignoring.
Jesus paid a high price for you. Don't leave the gift unopened. This July, cover yourself in the Blood.
Pray the Litany of the Precious Blood on the MyPrayerTower app.