Prayer and confidence in God's goodness must be the anchor of our salvation, and the Lord's peace must abound in our souls.
St. Gaspar, Letter 1814
The prayers below are rooted in the spirituality of the Precious Blood. Some have been part of the tradition for many years, others are more recent. We invite you to join us in prayer and with us come to know the power of the Precious Blood.
The Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood
Eternal Father, we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out
on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for the glory of Your name,
for the coming of Your kingdom, for the salvation of all people.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise and thanksgiving be evermore to Jesus,
Who with his blood has saved us.
Eternal Father, we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for the spread of the Church, for Pope N., for bishops, priests and religious, and for the sanctification of all the people of God.
Glory . . . Praise and thanksgiving . . .
Eternal Father, we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for the conversion of sinners, for the loving acceptance of Your Word, and for the union of all Christians.
Glory . . . Praise and thanksgiving . . .
Eternal Father, we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for our civil authorities, for the strengthening of public morals, and for peace and justice among all nations.
Glory . . . Praise and thanksgiving . . .
Eternal Father, we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for the sanctification of our work and our suffering, for the poor, the sick and the afflicted, and for all who rely on our prayers.
Glory . . . Praise and thanksgiving . . .
Eternal Father , we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for our own special needs, both spiritual and temporal, for those of our relatives, friends and benefactors, and also for those of our enemies.
Glory . . . Praise and thanksgiving . . .
Eternal Father, we offer You the precious blood of Jesus, poured out on the cross and offered daily on the altar, for those who are to die this day, for the souls in purgatory, and for our final union with Christ in glory.
Glory . . . Praise and thanksgiving . . .
Canticle of the Blood
By Saint Maria de Mattias
Come, let us adore Christ, the Son of God,
who has redeemed us with his blood.
Clap your hands, all you peoples,
sing unto God with a voice
of jubilation.
For you, God, glorious and mighty,
have shown us mercy.
You have not spared your only Son
but delivered him up in our behalf.
That you might redeem us from
our sins in Christ’s own blood;
That justified in the blood of Jesus
you might turn your anger from us;
That we who were separated might
be reconciled through the blood of Christ.
O God, my God, what can I render
to you for all the good you
have bestowed upon me?
I will take the chalice of salvation,
and I will call upon the power of Christ’s blood.
Sing to Jesus, all you saints, and
make known the memory of his holiness.
For Christ indeed has loved us and
washed us in his blood and has
become our helper and redeemer.
May Christ be blessed forever who
has wrought such wonders in us.
Blessed be Jesus for all ages, and
may the heavens and the earth
be filled with the praises of his love.
Come, let us adore Christ, the Son
of God, who has redeemed us with his blood. Amen.
Lord Jesus, you once asked us to love our enemies
and to pray for those who hurt us.
Hear my prayer today, for my love is not perfect
and my prayer is never complete.
There are some people I just do not know how to pray for;
I do not know how to be reconciled with them,
but you are the source of all reconciliation, and through your blood,
you offered loving forgiveness to every sinner.
Bless me and my enemy, as you would see fit,
and lead us one day to that perfect reconciliation
that comes from you alone. Amen.
God of reconciliation, passionate for your whole creation,
impel us by the love of Christ to see your guiding hand
in leading us to forgiveness, pardon, and peace.
Give us the courage to hear every story of every person
with dignity and respect. Give us hope in the blood of the cross.
Help us by your grace in the ministry of reconciliation
you have given us to do: to heal and to make whole,
and that we might work to remove every structure that provokes,
promotes, and sustains violence.
Let your word of reconciliation be in our mouths and in our hearts
that your peace might be present to all.
Do not count our sins against us, but build us up
into the body of Christ, a living temple.
We pray at the table of the Lamb and at the foot of the cross.
We are washed in your precious blood.
We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Let us pray for the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, for the superiors, members and Companions, and for an increase of vocations.
O Lord, through the intercession of Saint Gaspar and Saint Francis Xavier, bless our community and those who govern it in your name, as well as all its members and Companions. Grant us many more zealous members who will serve the community in fidelity and the bond of charity, and in all things carry out your holy will.
Let us pray for our missions:
O Lord, who said, "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few," raise up among us many generous vocations for the missions and bless those who exercise this ministry today. May the holy apostles Peter and Paul and all the holy missionaries help them and protect them.
Let us pray that we might see and fulfill our mission in the world today.
O Lord, make us aware of our ever-changing tasks. Help us to understand the signs of our times, so that our work may bear fruit for the salvation of people and for your glory.
Let us pray for our sick:
O merciful Jesus, graciously look upon your servants who are sick. Comfort and strengthen them. Accept our prayers on their behalf, and may they accept their suffering in the same spirit as you accepted the cross for our redemption.
Let us pray for our benefactors:
O Lord, in your kindness reward with life everlasting all those who have been good to us for your name's sake.
Let us pray for the grace of a happy death:
O Jesus, King of eternal glory, grant that we may leave this world in your love and be brought into your holy light. May St. Joseph, patron of the dying, intercede for us.
Let us pray for the souls in purgatory, especially for our deceased members and benefactors:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Psalm of Liberation
by Joseph Nassal, C.PP.S.
The blood of Christ refreshes our souls,
gives us new courage, liberates our lives.
The blood of the poor soaks into the land,
cries out for justice, yearning for peace.
We are redeemed in the blood of Christ.
We are washed in love.
Sent by the blood, stained by the blood;
We are servants of the blood of Christ.
The bones of the weary ache for an answer,
searching for vision, shout out with new strength.
The blood of the wounded, looking for healing,
teaching compassion, we touch with our hands.
We are redeemed in the blood of Christ.
We are washed in love.
Sent by the blood, stained by the blood;
We are servants of the blood of Christ.
Blood of new covenant welcomes the stranger,
seeking communion, we are companions.
The cup of salvation poured out in service,
stream of redemption, we thirst to be free.
We are redeemed in the blood of Christ.
We are washed in love.
Sent by the blood, stained by the blood;
We are servants of the blood of Christ.
The blood of the cross bringing us closer,
bonds us in charity, we long to be one.
The breath of the dying conspiring for life,
remembering mercy, we comfort with hope.
We are redeemed in the blood of Christ.
We are washed in love.
Sent by the blood, stained by the blood;
We are servants of the blood of Christ.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Creator of the universe,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, incarnate Word of God, save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the crowning of thorns, save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing the departed for eternal joy, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Let us pray:
Loving God, through the precious blood of your only Son, you have redeemed the world. Confirm in us this work of your mercy so that we may remain united with Jesus, mediator of the new covenant, and may fully experience the fruits of our redemption. We ask this through the same Christ, your Son, and our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer in Honor of Mary, Help of Christians
O God, strengthen us by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary whom you have given to your Church as Mother and Help of Christians. By her assistance may we bear patiently with the problems that afflict us from within and without, overcome them with love, and thus speak forth to all people the mercy of Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer in Honor of St. Gaspar del Bufalo
Loving God, you made St. Gaspar del Bufalo a priest and outstanding apostle of the Precious Blood of your Son. Through his intercession grant that we may experience the abundant fruits of the price of our redemption. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, in our very selves is destroying Your creation.
Make still the restless spirit within me that is self-seeking.
Stir within my heart a renewed Spirit of reverence, respect and reconciliation.
In union with the precious blood of Jesus, give me strength to break the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with me. Amen.
A Prayer for Ourselves and Our Vocations
In the waters of baptism, Lord God, your voice called out, "You are my beloved sons and daughters, with whom I am well pleased."
You breathed your Spirit upon us, and washed us in the blood of the Lord.
Open our ears to hear your Word, our minds to understand your call, our hearts to respond faithfully.
Give us courage to answer, strength to persevere and a willingness to be sent.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ, in whose blood we have been saved. Amen.
Prayer for Precious Blood Vocations
Lord God, you called St. Gaspar del Bufalo to renew the Church through the ministry of the Word and the proclamation of our salvation in Christ's precious blood.
Continue to call men and women to share in that mission as companions, sisters, brothers and priests who respond to the cry of the blood in our world today.
Give them the grace they need to answer your call and live as your ever faithful servants.
We ask this in the name of Jesus who shed his blood for us. Amen.
A Prayer for Precious Blood Companions
Jesus, our Brother, in the company of your friends on the night before you died, you broke bread, poured wine, washed feet, and celebrated the hope alive in your heart.
May the bread we break in the company of our friends nourish the hunger in our hearts for you.
May the cup of blessing we drink quench our thirst for justice, love and peace.
The precious blood you shed for your people stains our hearts, our hands, our minds, our lives.
Motivated by the memory of your love, may our lives be poured out in loving service of our sisters and brothers.
Jesus our Friend, you have brought us near through the blood of your cross. May we be streams of mercy and compassion, reservoirs of reconciliation harbors of hope.
Jesus our Companion, inspire us to be a leaven of your love in our world and our community.
May there be no strangers among us, only friends, who welcome each other with warmth and hospitality.
Seal our hearts with your Spirit as we gather in your name. Amen.
Prayer Books containing the prayers of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood are available from the St. Charles Resource Center under the direction of Br. Theophane Woodall, C.PP.S. You may reach him at 419-925-4516 x312.
