Blood of Christ, inebriate me!

Blessed John XXIII once stated: "The world can still set itself right and always will be able to, because the voice and Blood of Christ cry out for pity and mercy... Devotion to the Precious Blood is the devotion of our time...It is devotion for all souls, for the whole world". These past few days, we have focused on the blood of the martyrs, that of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of the First Martyrs of Rome. However, this day, and throughout the month of July, we commemorate the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Blood shed for our offenses, the Blood of the Lamb which the martyrs have washed their garments into to be pure white. It is that same Blood shed everyday, on the Catholic altars throughout the world as Christ offers Himself continually for the human race which constantly needs to be refreshed by that unending Font of Mercy.

This feast was celebrated as early as the 16th century in Spain. Devotion to the Precious Blood was introduced in Italy by St. Gaspar de Bufalo and was extended to the entire Holy Roman Church in 1849 by Blessed Pius IX. In 1933, Pope Pius XI made this feast a double of the 1st class to commemorate the 1,900th anniversary of the Death of Christ.

Unfortunately, the Feast of the Most Precious Blood was abbrogated in 1970 as a result of the institution of the new Roman Calendar, and was combined with the Feast of Corpus Christi. To think, the reason for this feast and devotion was to commemorate the greatest act of love that the world has ever known. And in the blink of an eye, it was gone.

Fortunately, with the recent resurgence of Tradition (especially among younger Catholics), devotion to the Precious Blood has remained alive and well. What further evidence do we need of Christ truly present and alive, both physically and mystically, in our Catholic Church, in our unbelieving society, in our contrite hearts? The continual Sacrifice of Christ continues, as His Nature has taken on suffering. Not only does it continue through the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but also in the mockery of Our Lord in this godless society.

Please continue to pray and make reparation to the Most Precious Blood for the offenses committed against Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

“Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy, flow upon us!
Precious Blood, Most Pure offering, procure us every grace!
Precious Blood, Hope and refuge of sinners, atone for us!
Precious Blood, Delight of the Holy Souls, draw us!
Amen.” - St. Catherine of Siena