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 seven: Jesus Sheds Blood in the Crucifixion
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
“It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit;’ and when he had said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23: 33.44-46)
Reflection
In the culture of Imperial Rome, crucifixion was very common in the execution of criminals. In history, Jesus was simply one more. But he is a human being, our blood brother, the same as so many others who are victims of war, of the violence and pains of death.
The evangelists relate many details of the three last hours of Jesus, his thirst, his pardon of those who did not know what they were doing, his cries to the Father in the moments of abandonment, the invitation of the good thief to paradise. When all was fulfilled, he gave his Spirit to the Father. From the cross, Jesus entrusted his Mother to John, our Mother, the Mother of the Church!
Meditation
“You have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12: 22-24)
Resolutions
- To remain always close to the cross of Jesus.
- To recognize in the death of Jesus victory over sin.
- To accept in faith, in love and in prayer, Mary as our Mother.
Final prayer
Eternal Father, we offer you the Precious Blood of Jesus shed in the crucifixion. Permit that, in perfect union with your only begotten Son, we offer you our lives as a gift of sacrifice. As participants in the eternal redemption, we celebrate the memory of our redemption at the foot of the cross. With Mary our Mother, we glorify you in the abundance of your grace and enjoy the victory of salvation. 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.