Deacon Matthew Keller, C.PP.S., will be ordained to the priesthood on June 9. In preparation for his ordination, he asks that we join him in praying the Novena of the Precious Blood written by the late Fr. Ernest Ranly, C.PP.S.
Day Six: Jesus Sheds Blood Carrying the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Prayer
O God, our heavenly Father, out of love for the human family, you willed your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer through the shedding of his blood.
Blessing and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus.
Who with his blood has saved us.
We give you thanks for the gift of our Lord’s blood, which he shed until the last drop for our salvation. May the blood of Jesus, shed for us, purify us and protect us from all evil.
In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we drink the blood of the new and eternal covenant. May it give us peace and may it unite us with all the human family, especially with the poor and the marginalized.
May the Precious Blood of Jesus become for us the blood of life, of unity and of peace. May this mystery of love and grace fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit. United with the Blood of Christ, may we participate with Christ in the work of redeeming our world of today.
Praise to the blood of Jesus.
Now and forever. Amen.
Presentation
“Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.” (John 19: 16-17)
“As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children.’” (Luke 23: 26-28)
Reflection
Jesus carries his cross. We follow him in the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross. According to tradition, Jesus falls three times on the way to Calvary. The soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross of Jesus. Following him was a crowd of people including some women who express great sympathy for him. One woman, Veronica, wipes with a cloth the face of Jesus. Also tradition says that Jesus carrying his cross meets his mother Mary on the way to Golgatha.
The way to Calvary is a road of blood. Jesus had said to his disciples that if they wished to follow him, they needed to carry their cross each day. The act of carrying the cross is a historical and actual fact; but it also has a profound sense of mystery and symbolism for the redemption of the world. As Veronica, we must carry in our hearts the image of Jesus, wounded and covered with his own blood.
Meditation
“Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life. God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world may be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him avoids condemnation.” (John 3: 16-18)
Resolutions
- To reflect on the significance of the phrase: “We must carry our daily cross.”
- To show solidarity with the suffering of others, as exemplified by Simon of Cyrene.
- After each fall in my life to raise myself up again with Jesus and continue forward.
Final prayer
Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus shed on the way to Calvary, for all those in the world who suffer the consequences of sin. Grant health to the sick and feed those who suffer from hunger; free from injustice the persecuted and ransom the imprisoned; help the immigrants and the abandoned find a home; protect the travelers and give salvation to the dying. Do not forget the work that you have begun in us, so our life is given to your truth and service. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Our Father…..
Glory to the Father…..
V: Praise and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus.
R: Who with his blood has saved us.
V: Glory to the Blood of Jesus!
R: Now and forever. Amen.