Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus

A Reflection by Brother Benedict Kelley, OSFM

When we take the time to think of the blood of Christ that was shed so that we might enter into a relationship with God, we realize that this relationship is a relationship that is only made possible because Jesus was willing to shed his blood and to die on the cross, for love of us all.

Devotion to the Precious Blood is a "relatively" unknown devotion, but it has been around for centuries, though it wasn't until 1849 that a formal celebration was put into place by Pope Pius IX. The official feast was set for July 1st.

Back in the Middle Ages, many Catholics began observing special devotions to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Today, many families are reviving this devotion as part of the way to develop a spirit of praise and thanksgiving. It was found that by fostering this particular devotion, the core values of the faith will become more alive within the hearts of the faithful.

While developing your devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus, it is important to remember that it was not the price of silver and gold that saved us, even though these are considered to be precious metals in the eyes of the world, they are costly and worth much to the many however most of us don’t have a lot of silver and gold.

Consider, what if the price for salvation was one billion dollars per person? Would it be affordable to many of us? No! Even large amounts of money, however, cannot buy forgiveness not even from one sin you have committed in your entire lifetime. No amount of money can purchase your entrance into heaven. Worldly treasures cannot save anyone.

Only one price would suffice for the forgiveness of our sins, and that price is perfect, and even priceless, it's the Precious Blood of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. The only one who ever carried sinless blood in His body.

We were a people whose sin held us captive, but Jesus came and paid the price with the shedding of His own precious blood, which has set us free from

condemnation and death. We thank God the Father for the saving blood of his son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Father in heaven, may we all be cleansed by the saving Blood of Jesus; may our consciences be purged of dead works. ... Thank You, Lord, for shedding Your Blood for us. May the Water and Blood that came from the side of Jesus create a protecting fountain of grace, one which flows directly from the throne of God to us. Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.