July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. In writing about this devotion, Pope St. John XXIII said the following:

"If only Christians would reflect more frequently on the fatherly warning of the first pope [St. Peter]: ‘Look anxiously, then, to the ordering of your lives while your stay on earth lasts. You know well enough that your ransom was not paid in earthly currency, silver or gold; it was paid in the precious blood of Christ; no lamb was ever so pure, so spotless a victim.’.. If only they would lend a more eager ear to the apostle of the Gentiles [St. Paul]: ‘A great price was paid to ransom you; glorify God by making your bodies the shrines of his presence.’ Their upright lives would then be the shining example they ought to be; Christ's Church would far more effectively fulfill its mission to men. God wants all men to be saved, for he has willed that they should all be ransomed by the Blood of his only-begotten Son; he calls them all to be members of the one Mystical Body whose head is Christ. If only men would be more responsive to these promptings of his grace, how much the bonds of brotherly love among individuals and peoples and nations would be strengthened. Life in society would be so much more peaceable, so much worthier of God and the human nature created in his image and likeness.”On Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, St. John XXIII

Over the past month, the gospel readings encouraged us to consider the call to live out our faith more fully each day by living out God’s love in our daily lives, by remaining faithful in our love of Christ in the Eucharist, and by not fearing to witness that “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Practicing devotions to the Precious Blood of Jesus can help us to grow closer in relationship with Our Lord. This month, take time to reflect on St. John XXIII’s reflection and the scripture quotes it contains. Pray one or more of the devotions associated with the Precious Blood of Jesus.

Resources for Children

Catholic Icing has one webpage dedicated to ideas for celebrating Catholic saints and feasts in July - Click here for July Resources.

Teaching Catholic Kids also has great suggestions for celebrating the devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus - Click here for ideas.

It also has a page with a Precious Blood Craft.

Devotions to the Precious Blood of Jesus

Periods of Prayer During July

During the month of July, there are three periods of prayer that may be observed:

1. July 1-9, Novena of the Precious Blood in honor of the Nine Choirs of Angels (see below)
2. July 13-15, Three days of prayer in honor of the Most Holy Trinity
3. July 20-31, Twelve days of prayer for the New Israel

There are many prayers that may be used during the period of July 13-15 and July 20-31. A sample is provided below.

Novena of the Precious Blood

By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus, I seek Thee, ask Thee and beg Thee, to help me at this time of my need.

O Jesus, I kneel at Thy bleeding feet pleading that you will hear me. Many graces and many mercies have come from Thy Blood. My hope lives in you, until the end of my time.

O Jesus, by Thy Precious Blood which you shed for our souls, by each drop that you shed for our redemption and by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother, I beseech Thee and earnestly ask You to listen to my prayer:

(Share your request…)

O Jesus, who during all the days of Thy mortal life, You consoled so many sufferers, You healed so many infirmities, You raised so often a sinking courage; have pity on my soul who cries to Thee from the depths of my anguish.

O Jesus, from the wounds of Thy heart, may a wave of Thy merciful blood flow and grant to me the grace that I so ardently desire.

O Jesus, hasten the moment when You will change my tears to joy and my sighs to thanksgivings.

Holy Mary, I ask you to join with me in seeking help. But, God our Father in heaven, “May your will be done”. Amen.

Say: Our Father… (x3)… Jesus, Crucified, Have Mercy on Me …

Chaplet of the Precious Blood

Use a Rosary to pray the following:

1. Make the sign of the cross.
2. On the first large bead, recite the Apostles’ Creed.
3. After that, say the following prayer: May the Precious Blood that flows out from the Sacred Head of Our Lord Jesus Christ cover us now and forever. Amen.
4. Meditation, first decade of beads: the Nailing of the Right Hand of Our Lord Jesus.
5. Say the following prayer: By the Precious Wound in Thy Right Hand and through the pain of the nail which pierced Thy Right Hand, may the Precious Blood that pours out from there, convert many souls and save sinners of the whole world. Amen.
6. Remaining on the same bead, pray an “Our Father “and “Hail Mary.”
7. Then on the small beads pray, “Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, save us and the whole world.”
8. At the end of each decade pray the “Glory Be.”
9. Meditation 2: The Nailing of the Left Hand of Our Lord Jesus. Say the following prayer: By the Precious Wound in Thy Left Hand and through the pain of the nail which pierced Thy Left Hand, may the Precious Blood that pours out from there relieve Souls in Purgatory and protect the dying against the attacks of evil spirits. Amen.
10. Repeat the same sequence as the first mystery.
11. Meditation 3: The Nailing of the Right Foot of Our Lord Jesus. Say the following prayer: By the Precious Wound in Thy Right Foot and through the pain of the nail which pierced Thy Right Foot, may the Precious Blood that pours out from there cover the foundation of the Catholic Church against the plans of the evil spirit and evil men. Amen.
12. Repeat the same sequence as the first mystery.
13. Meditation 4: The Nailing of the Left Foot of Our Lord Jesus Say the following prayer: By the Precious Wound in Thy Left Foot, and through the pain of the nail which pierced Thy Left Foot, may the Precious Blood that pours out from there protect us from the plans and the attacks of evil spirits and their minions. Amen.
14. Repeat the same sequence as the first mystery.
15. Meditation 5: the Piercing of the Sacred Side of Our Lord Jesus.. Say the following prayer: By the Precious Wound in Thy Sacred Side and through the pain of the lance which pierced Thy Sacred Side, may the Precious Blood and Water that pours out from there cure the sick, bring repentance to the dying, and bring us to eternal happiness with God. Amen.
16. Repeat the same sequence as the first mystery.
17. Pray Closing prayers:

• Hail Holy Queen
• O Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, we honor, worship and adore Thee Heal the wounds our souls and wash away the sins of the whole world. O Precious Blood, have mercy. Amen.
• Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. St. Joseph, Pray for us. Sts. Peter and Paul, Pray for us. St. John at the foot of the Cross, Pray for us. Mary Magdalene, Pray for us. All ye Saints and Angels,
  Pray for us.

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Christ have mercy. (Christ have mercy.)

Lord have mercy. (Lord have mercy.)

Christ hear us. (Christ hear us.)

Christ, graciously hear us. (Christ, graciously hear us.)
God the Father of Heaven, (have mercy on us.) 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.) 
God, the Holy Spirit, (have mercy on us.) 
Holy Trinity, One God, (have mercy on us.)

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father,
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony,
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors,
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins,
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, 

(spare us, O Lord.) 
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, 

(graciously hear us, O Lord.) 

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, 

(have mercy on us, O Lord.) 

Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood. 

(And made us, for our God, a kingdom.) 

Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by His blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. (Amen.)