Novena of the Precious Blood

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Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus has a long and profound history within the popular devotions of people of faith. This is especially true of the traditional devotions of Latin America. This novena is an English version from the Spanish.

At the beginning of the 19th century the title “Precious Blood” or “Most Precious Blood” was accepted by the Catholic Church, largely through the efforts of Saint Gaspar del Bufalo. At any rate, devotion to the Precious Blood is deep in the hearts of believing praying Christians. Blessed Pope John XXIII added, “Blessed be the Precious Blood of Jesus,” to the Divine Praises in the rite of Benediction. He gave the Church the official version of the Litany of the Precious Blood.

Traditional devotions to the blood of Christ center upon the seven blood sheddings of Jesus.  This novena addresses these seven blood sheddings of Jesus but there is a solid scriptural and theological orientation for every day of the novena.

The prayers of the novena are addressed directly to God the Father, under the title of “Eternal Father.”  Many of the prayers are taken directly from the Roman Missal (without specific references.) The individual petitions are only suggestions. Each person or group is invited to make their own prayers.

Every day of the novena has a specific theme. The opening prayer is read every day. The scriptural references can be used for reflection and study day by day. In a community setting one or more appropriate hymns can be sung.

It is our hope and prayer that the novena will serve as a sincere devotion and prayer that will inspire and deepen a living of the spirituality of the Precious Blood of Christ.

Father Ernest Ranly, C.PP.S.

Missionary of the Precious Blood