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In the month of July, the Church turns our attention to the Precious Blood of Jesus, in all its power and symbolic richness. This month offers a time for reflection, gratitude, and adoration of the Blood of Christ poured out on the cross for the redemption of the world.
The Precious Blood is part of the Sacred Humanity of Jesus, truly united with the Second Person of the Trinity. The sacred mystery of the Blood of Christ shed for humanity permeates the whole of the Catholic Faith and is worthy of our attentive meditation and deepest adoration. Devotion to the Most Precious Blood by the saints and the faithful dates back to the beginnings of the Church.
We read in Sacred Scripture many verses that honor the blood of Christ as the source of our salvation. Saint Peter writes, “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:19)
The Most Precious Blood became a focus for Pope Pius IX while he was in exile during the Italian War for Independence. The Pope understood the great need for God’s intervention and instituted the Feast of the Most Precious Blood to be celebrated in July 1849. The purpose was to call upon assistance from Heaven to end the war. Soon after the formal institution of the feast, the war ended and the Pope returned to Rome, his prayers having been answered. Eventually, the entire month of July became dedicated to the Most Precious Blood.
The Church, therefore, encourages all the faithful to honor and recognize with particular attention during the month of July the blood of Jesus shed for us during His passion and crucifixion. Being reminded of the tremendous sacrifice of Our loving Savior in the Masses and prayers of this month, we are moved to express deep gratitude to God for the saving power of His blood and the gift of salvation it has merited.
- covenantcatholic.org
