Most Precious Blood

.

Almighty and everlasting God, Who didst appoint Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and hast willed to be appeased by His Blood; grant unto us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate (with solemn worship) the price of our redemption, and by its power be so defended against the evils of this life, that we may enjoy the fruit thereof forevermore in Heaven. Through the same Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

For many dioceses there are two days to which the Office of the Most Precious Blood has been assigned, the office being in both cases the same. The reason is that the office was at first granted to the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood only. Later, as one of the offices of the Fridays of Lent, it was assigned to the Friday after the fourth Sunday in Lent. When Pius IX went into exile at Gaeta (1849) he had as his companion Don Giovanni Merlini, third superior general of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood. Arrived at Gaeta, Merlini suggested that His Holiness make a vow to extend the feast of the Most Precious Blood to the entire Church. The pope took the matter under consideration, but a few days later sent this message: "The pope does not deem it expedient to bind himself by a vow; instead His Holiness is pleased to extend the feast immediately to all Christendom." This was 30 June 1849. The thirtieth of June had been a Saturday before the first Sunday of July, wherefore the pope decreed on 10 August 1849 that henceforth every first Sunday of July should be dedicated to the Most Precious Blood. Ecclesia Apostolica Jesu Christi, in common with Christian traditionalists everywhere, celebrates the feast of the Most Precious Blood on July 1st.

.