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 nine: Blood of the New and Eternal Covenant, Blood of Eucharist
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
“When the supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.’ ” (Roman missal)
Reflection
The feast of the Passover is the commemoration of the freeing of the people of Israel through the blood of the paschal lamb. Later, in the desert, Moses sealed the first Covenant of God with his people with the blood of animals. Now Jesus, celebrating the Passover in the Last Supper, proclaims that his blood, which the following day will be shed on the cross, is the blood of the new and eternal Covenant.
In the Old Testament, once a year the high priest was permitted to enter the “Holy of Holies” in the temple to offer the sacrifice of reconciliation. Now Jesus is the High Priest of the New Covenant who enters the presence of God with his own blood. In effect, the Eucharist is the realization of the Pascal mystery of Christ, the Supreme and Eternal Priest, who offers each day his own blood in sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
Meditation
“As my vision continued, I heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, thousands and tens of thousands, and they all cried out: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise.’ Then I heard the voices of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea; everything in the universe cried aloud: ‘To the One seated on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever’ ” (Rev 5:11-14)
Resolutions
- To read and meditate on the history of Salvation
- To participate in the mystery of the Eucharist with a living faith and an open heart.
- To pray for the sanctification of priests and other ministers of the Church.
Final prayer
Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar. Father, for your glory and our salvation you appointed Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. May the people he gained for you by his blood come to share in the power of his cross and resurrection. Grant that all priests be faithful in their ministry to you and to your people. We ask this through 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.