POWERFUL NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: DAY 8

INTRODUCTION: The veneration of the Precious Blood of Our Divine Saviour dates back to the time of the Passion when it was shed. It is rooted in the fundamental doctrine of the Incarnation, which teaches that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity assumed a human nature, uniting it with His divine nature in what is known as the hypostatic union. Thus, every aspect of Christ’s human nature, including His Precious Blood, is inseparably united with the second divine Person. Consequently, the Precious Blood is worthy of the same adoration, known as Latria, that is given to God Himself. This devotion to the Precious Blood is not reliant on private revelations but finds its firm foundation in the deposit of the Faith. Moving into more recent times, St. Gaspar Buffalo, the founder of the Congregation of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, played a significant role in promoting devotion to the Precious Blood. During Pope Pius IX’s exile from Rome in 1849, his companion, Don Giovanni Merlini, the third general of the Congregation, suggested that if the Pope were to regain the papal territory, he should make a vow to extend the Feast of the Precious Blood to the entire Church. This Feast had already been celebrated by the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood on the Friday after the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Ultimately, it was Pope Pius IX who officially instituted a special feast in honor of the Precious Blood. Later, Pope St. Pius X moved the feast from the first Sunday of July to July 1st. Finally, in commemoration of the 19th centennial of the mystery of the Redemption, Pope Pius XI elevated the rank of the feast day. This highlights the enduring significance and importance of devotion to the Precious Blood throughout the history of the Church.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Day 8

Opening Prayer: Gracious Father, as we gather on this eighth day of the Novena to the Most Precious Blood, we approach Your throne of mercy with hearts filled with love and reverence. Your Son, Jesus Christ, shed His Precious Blood out of love for us, and we are deeply grateful for the gift of salvation. On this day, we pray for the grace of compassion, that we may imitate Your Son’s selfless love and mercy in our interactions with others (State your intentions). Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, may this Novena deepen our understanding of Your Son’s sacrificial love and inspire us to be channels of Your mercy to all we encounter. Amen.

Scriptural Reading/Meditation: (Luke 22:40-44)

“40 On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down, and prayed, 42 ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

The Gospel of the Lord…

During the Precious Blood Novena, let us meditate on the depth of Jesus’ love and sacrifice at Gethsemane, and as He consequently approached the cross for our sake. His prayer of surrender and the sweat like drops of blood exemplify the weight of our sins that He bore on that fateful night. Through His Precious Blood, Jesus offers us redemption, forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life. As we contemplate this passage, may we be moved by the depth of Jesus’ love for us. Let us also learn from His example of surrender and obedience to the Father’s will. During the Precious Blood Novena, may we draw near to Jesus, seeking His grace, and acknowledging the immeasurable value of His Precious Blood shed for our salvation. May His sacrifice and love inspire us to live lives that reflect His selflessness and bring glory to God.

Litany of the Precious Blood

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, 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, price of our salvation, 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 souls from purgatory, save us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, on this eighth day of the Novena, we reflect on Your agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. As we meditate on Your Precious Blood, which began to flow in anguish, we are moved by the depth of Your love and obedience to the Father’s will. Just as You surrendered Yourself completely, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done,” grant us the grace to submit our lives to Your divine plan with unwavering trust and surrender. May Your Precious Blood be our strength in times of trial and our solace in moments of anguish. Through the intercession of Mary, our Mother, and all the saints, may we find courage in imitating Your selfless surrender, becoming living witnesses of Your sacrificial love to the world. Amen.

CLICK HERE FOR THE UNFAILING CHAPLET OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD (to complete the day’s prayer)

Shalom!
Compiled by Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Loreto, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?