The Most Precious Blood of Jesus

 

Homily of St. Augustine, Bishop

Treatise 120 on John

A suggestive word was made use of by the Evangelist, in not saying: he pierced His side; or: he wounded; or anything like that, but: he opened; that therein might, as it were, be thrown open the door of life, from which have flowed forth the sacraments of the Church, without which there is no entrance into life that is truly life. The blood that was shed, was shed for the remission of sins. That water makes up the health-giving cup; and gives at the same time a bath and a draught. This was announced beforehand, when Noe was commanded to make a door in the side of the ark, through which the animals, not destined to perish in the flood, might enter, and by which the Church was prefigured. Because of this, the first woman was made from the side of the man while he slept, and she was called Life and Mother of the living. For the name signified a great good, before the great evil of her sin. This second Adam bowed His heads fell asleep on the cross, in order that from there a spouse might be formed for Him from that which He shed from His side as He slept. O death whereby the dead are raised anew to life! What is purer than this blood? What more health-giving this wound?

Men who were held in slavery under the devil served the devil and served the demons; but they have been redeemed from captivity. For they could sell themselves, but they could not redeem themselves. The Redeemer came, and paid the price; He shed His blood, and bought the world. Do you ask what He bought? See what He gave, and you will find out what He bought. The blood of Christ is the price. What is it worth? What, but the whole world? What, but all nations. Very ungrateful for their price or very proud, are they who say that the price is of such small worth as to buy only the Africans; or that they are so great, that it was given for them alone. Therefore let them not rejoice or be proud. What He gave, He gave for the whole world.

He had His blood, by which He redeemed us; and to this end He took blood, that He might shed it in order to redeem us. If you wish it, the blood of your Lord was given for you; if you do not wish it, it was not given for you. For perhaps you will say: My God had blood, with which He redeemed me, but now since He has suffered, He has given it all; what has remained to Him, that He may also give for me? This is a great thing, because He gave once, and He gave for all. The blood of Christ is salvation to him who wishes it, punishment to him who does not wish it. Why, therefore, do you hesitate to be set free from the second death, you who do not wish to die? By this you are set free, if you are willing to take up your cross, and follow the Lord; for He took up His cross and looked for His servant.

Litany of the Most Precious Blood

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.


Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
Wash us O Saving Blood. *

Blood of the New Testament, *
Price of our redemption, *
Fountain of divine grace, *
Source of eternal life, *
Reparation for our sins, *
Pledge of everlasting happiness, *
Oblation of divine justice, *
Key of heaven, *
Purification of our souls, *
Deliverance from sin, *
Healing balm for our wounds, *
Remission of our sins, *
Infinite ransom paid for our debts, *
Life-giving fountain, *
Hope of the poor, *
Solace of the afflicted, *
Support of the weak, *
Remedy for the sick, *
Reconciliation of sinners, *
Joy of the just, *
Refuge of all Christians, *
Admiration of Angels, *
Consolation of Patriarchs, *
Desire of Prophets, *
Strength of Apostles, *
Hope of Martyrs, *
Justification of Confessors, *
Sanctification of Virgins, *
Crown of the Blessed, *

Be merciful,
Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.


From all evil,
Lord Jesus, deliver us. **

From all injustice, **
From all pride and vanity, **
From all envy and ill-will, **
From all uncleanness and gluttony, **
From all anger and hatred, **
From all sloth, **
From eternal damnation, **
Through Thy Most Precious Blood, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed in Thy Circumcision, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed on Mount Olivet, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed under the maltreatment of Thy enemies, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed at Thy scourging, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed at the crowning with thorns, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed on Thy road to Calvary, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed when Thou wert stripped of Thy clothes, **
Through the most Precious Blood Thou didst shed when Thy Sacred Heart was pierced, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst give to Thy Disciples at Thy last Supper, **
Through the same Precious Blood which is still daily consecrated at the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, **


We poor sinners,
Beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst spare us,
We beseech Thee, hear us. ***

That Thou wouldst pardon us, ***
That Thou wouldst grant us true piety, ***
That Thou wouldst fill our hearts with gratitude and love, ***
That Thou wouldst fill our hearts with a holy fear, ***
That Thou wouldst give us true repentance for our sins, ***
That through Thy Precious Blood Thou mayest assist us in our last agony, ***
That through the same Precious Blood Thou mayest grant us a happy death, ***
That through it Thou mayest save us from Purgatory, ***
That through it Thou mayest redeem the poor souls from their sufferings, ***
That through it Thou mayest show mercy to all, ***


Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us.

Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously here us.
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Our Father (secretly). Hail, Mary (secretly).

V. Jesus Christ has loved us.
R. And through His Precious Blood washed us from our sins
V. Assist Thy servants, O Lord.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy Precious Blood.


Let us pray:

Most merciful Redeemer, through the price of Thy Precious Blood, and through the merits of Thy bitter passion and death: grant that we may make ourselves worthy to enter that happiness which Thou didst purchase for us. Amen.