In Catholic calendars, July is the month in which we honor the Precious Blood of Jesus. In 1849, Pope Pius IX instituted July 1st as the feast day for the Precious Blood; however, the feast was combined with Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) in 1969. Despite the move, July remains the month of devotion to the Precious Blood throughout the Church.
“Devotion to the Precious Blood is not a spiritual option, it is a spiritual obligation, and that not only for priests, but for every follower of Christ…. Devotion, as we know, is a composite of three elements: It is first- veneration, it is secondly- invocation, and it is thirdly- imitation. In other words, devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, is first of all to be veneration on our part, which is a composite of knowledge, love and adoration. We are to study to come to a deeper understanding of what those two casual words, Precious Blood, really mean.”
– from The Precious Blood of Christ, by Fr. John A Hardon, SJ
Saint Catherine of Siena’s “Constant Prayer” to the Precious Blood of Jesus
“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.”