July — Monthly prayer to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

The month of July is traditionally consecrated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, with the liturgical feast on 1 July. The devotion was promoted in the 19th century by St Gaspar del Bufalo († 1837), founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, and canonically established by Pius IX, who by decree of 10 August 1849 (Redempti sumus) instituted the universal feast of the Most Precious Blood as a thanksgiving for the liberation of the Papal States on 28 June of that year. Pius XII elevated it to duplex I classis (more solemn rite) by apostolic letter Inter caeteros augustae of 24 February 1960. The Litany of the Most Precious Blood was approved by St John XXIII on 24 February 1960 for universal use. This devotion recalls that we are redeemed not with corruptible things, as gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled (1 Pet 1:18-19).

Lord Jesus Christ, your Blood poured out for us in the Garden, in the scourging, in the crowning of thorns, on the way of Calvary, in the crucifixion, and from the lance that opened your side, is the superabundant price of our redemption: may every drop of this divine Blood be applied to our sins, for the remission of every fault, for the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory, for the conversion of sinners and unbelievers, for the consolation of the afflicted and of those persecuted for your faith. May your Most Precious Blood, in this month of July consecrated to it, be our refuge, our hope and our life.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.