Part 20
There is a virtue which, in the language of the theologians of the Church, is called the angelic virtue: a virtue most pleasing to God. It is chastity. The precious blood makes us chaste according to our state of life; it makes those pure and virginal who practise this devotion and gives them the grace to preserve purity and to persevere in it. This virtue renders us very pleasing to almighty God, Who loves pure souls. “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God,” and chastity is an expression of the purity of the soul. The devil makes the greatest efforts to deprive us of this great treasure. The greatest and most frequent temptation which we have to endure is certainly that against purity. Our body seems to be full of impurity, our imaginations crowded with thoughts of a defiling character. The virtue of purity endears us to Mary, the purest of virgins; she loves those whom God regards with special favor, and to whom He has promised the particular privilege of contemplating Him for all eternity.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Twenty‐fifth Day.
How beautiful a virtue is true humility! We love and admire it in others, but we ourselves are far from possessing it. Humility is the foundation on which all other virtues are built. Pride is a most hateful vice in the sight of God, for He would rather receive a humble sinner than a saint inclined to pride. God resists the proud, and gives His grace to the humble. The devotion of the precious blood will secure humility. Jesus shed His blood amid the greatest humiliations. In the Garden of Olives, bowed to the earth, He poured forth His blood in an agony of shame and horror over the sins of men; He was beaten like a slave in the court of Pilate; the blood poured from His face, wounded by blows and defiled by spittle, and from His head crowned with thorns. It stained the streets of Jerusalem on His way to Calvary; it flowed to the foot of the cross, as He hung and died between two malefactors, where He was considered the most abject of men. Let us learn the lesson of humility from the death of Christ.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Twenty‐sixth Day.
Zeal for souls, zeal for the glory of God, was the motive that induced the Son of God to come down from heaven to suffer and die on the cross. Might not we, also, do something for the glory of God and the good of souls, if we had a little zeal towards that end? The apostles learned zeal from the Passion of Our Lord. When the Lord had died on the cross, they became inflamed with zeal and worked in an apostolic manner that souls might be brought to the kingdom of God; suffering became precious in their sight, because they endured it for the good of humanity. We that profess the love of the precious blood must also have zeal for the salvation of souls. What can we do? We can pray; we can offer up our petitions incessantly for some particular individual until we are heard; we can surround people by such influences that their minds will be changed and brought back to God. But frequently we are inactive and inattentive to these means which God has given us; we are not filled with zeal for furthering the devotion to Christ’s precious blood, and for the salvation of souls.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Twenty‐seventh Day.
As we may do much good by a prudent zeal for the living, we can still more benefit the souls in purgatory by the application of the merits of the precious blood. Those souls are already in the hands of God, undergoing a purification to fit them to enter heaven. They can do nothing for themselves; they must patiently endure the just punishment that is meted out to them. But the Church teaches us that we can help them, and we are encouraged to use the means which God has placed in our hands. Those who are in purgatory will surely go to heaven, but we can shorten their purification by prayer. Our supplications for the souls in purgatory may be even more productive of good than praying for the living, for these may resist the goodness of God and render themselves unworthy of further graces, while the souls in purgatory, being the friends of God, will readily receive the benefit of our prayers. Purgatory is an effect of sin, and sin and its effects are effaced by the blood of Christ. The Apostle has said that Jesus loved us, and has given His blood to wash us.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Twenty‐eighth Day.
The sacred wounds of Our Lord are those abundant springs from which flow the kindness and charity of God. Many saints have had revelations and visions of this in their ecstatic prayers. St. Gertrude saw streams of blood issuing from the wounds of Our Lord and flowing like rivers through the Church, rendering her fruitful in many heroic virtues. How can we have any merit unless we receive it from Our Lord? for without Him we can do nothing. To do something meritorious, then, we should have recourse to Our Lord in prayer. Our prayers would fall to the ground and be without result, unless helped by the pleading of the precious blood; our works of mortification would be useless, our penance vain attempts for forgiveness, unless the precious blood made them efficacious. As the sun gives light to the world, enlightening and fructifying it, so the precious blood shines on our actions and makes them glow with a supernatural merit. There are some virtues which we may practise to a certain degree, but how imperfect are the best intentions, without God’s love as a motive.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Twenty‐ninth Day.
Remember that perseverance is the great grace which we are all striving for. It is not a grace that we can merit at any one time, for it is only a continuation of fidelity. It is a very important grace; what does it profit to have gained all possible graces, and to be filled with consolation, when in the end we shall not be counted among the elect of God? He is, of course, interested in your eternal salvation—in other words, your final perseverance. But we are living in a state of probation here; it is not possible, except in some special case of extraordinary grace, that we could be possibly in any other state than doubt as regards the future. It is natural for those who are on trial to fear that they will not succeed; there are so many a great deal better than we are that when we compare their excellence with our weak efforts to do right, we feel so inferior that we are afraid of being rejected. Hence it is that we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, lest we may not reach the end for which we have been created.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Thirtieth Day.
Final perseverance can be obtained only through our humble faithfulness to God and continued prayers. When we pray to the Lord, and beg of Him by His precious blood to give us the grace of perseverance, or when we go to God the Father, and offer Him the sacred blood of Jesus as a sacrifice, that He may give us extraordinary grace to enable us to continue in His service, He is not obliged to give it, but He will, just as a friend who wishes to keep you attached to him gives you many presents and favors. We must also turn to Mary in this doubtful struggle for eternal happiness. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, has much to do with our salvation; we should not despise her help. She supplied, as you may say, the precious blood to Our Lord, by feeding Him with the milk of her breast. Or, as St. Bernard tells us, mixing the milk of the Mother with the blood of the Son, in order to prepare for us a most delicious drink. Mary ceases not to work in heaven for the salvation of souls and for the conversion of poor sinners.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Thirty‐first Day.
St. Alphonsus, in speaking of the precious blood, says: “So, then, my Jesus, in order to save my soul, Thou hast prepared a bath of Thine own blood wherein to cleanse it from the filth of its sins. If. then, our souls have been bought by Thy blood, ‘For you are bought with a great price’ (1 Cor. vi. 20), it is a sign that Thou lovest them much; and as Thou dost love them, let us pray thus to Thee: ‘We therefore pray Thee to help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.’ It is true that by my sins I have separated myself from Thee, and have knowingly lost Thee. But remember, my Jesus, that Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Ah, may this blood not have been given in vain for me, which was shed with so much grief and so much love.” We ought to read these words over and over again, until they penetrate our souls with that devotion to the precious blood which this great saint possessed, filling all our daily lives with a heavenly sweetness.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Mass in Honor of the Precious Blood.
Introit.
When the priest goes up to the altar to say Mass, think that the Lord is about to celebrate the Last Supper, during which He instituted the Holy Eucharist, and gave His flesh as food, and His blood as drink, to all the disciples present.
With a confident heart I am about to hear this holy Mass, to offer this holy sacrifice with the priest. I offer it to the Blessed Trinity, as the greatest means to obtain spiritual benefits for myself and those for whom I intend to pray, that we all may receive what is most needful for our body, but especially for our soul. Amen.
Confiteor.
I know, O my God, that I am unworthy to be admitted so closely to the Holy of holies, or to be here during the celebration of the sacred mysteries: I am unworthy on account of my many sins. O my God, I beg pardon for them, and I am sure that I will receive forgiveness. I resolve to live a good life so that, purified, I may look up to the sacred mountain, where resides the God Who renews my youth. Yes, I have sinned against Thee, and against heaven. I am not worthy to be called Thy child. Amen.
Kyrie.
When the priest goes up to the altar and kisses it, remember the infamous kiss of Judas, think of your own infidelities, and cry out nine times with the priest: Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us. With your whole heart and soul join the choirs of angels in singing a hymn of praise to the Almighty, for all the mercies He has shown us by the sufferings and death of His divine Son. Offer up these sufferings for the benefit of the Church, for peace and harmony among nations, that the world may by the death of Christ enjoy a peace that will conduce to the acknowledgment of God’s dominion over all mankind, that it may enjoy the benefit of the incarnation and death of the Lord.
Offertory.
I offer to Thee, O my God, with the priest, the bread and wine as did Our Lord, Who wished us to do it in commemoration of Him. I offer to Thee the pains which He endured at the bitter crowning, when the thorns were pressed deep into His sacred head, and the precious blood flowed from the wounds thus made, covering His whole face and disfiguring it so that it no longer resembled a human countenance. I offer to Thee those sighs and secret prayers which He offered, to atone for my wilful distractions in prayer, my waywardness in thought, my unbridled imagination, for my pride and disobedience, for all my errors, and for the errors of heretics and schismatics, that Thou mayest send them the grace of conversion. Amen.
Gospel.
Remember, O God, the sufferings of the Lord when He was dragged before Caiphas and Pontius Pilate. I offer myself to the guidance of Thy providence; do with me what Thou wilt for Thy glory. May Thy holy Gospel be always a consolation to me in all my troubles, and a guide to my conduct, so that, leading a good Christian life during the remainder of my stay in this world, I may direct my steps to heaven. Amen.
Credo.
I believe in the teachings of the Church; with a full acceptance I have accepted Christianity, let me remain faithful to it under all circumstances. Come to the assistance of my unbelief, that I may firmly profess my faith openly before the world. I believe, especially, in the efficacy of the Passion and the glory of the cross, a humiliation to the people of the world, but a source of comfort and salvation to me. I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who taught me the articles of the creed. I believe in the Church which He has established. I believe in the forgiveness of my sins through the merits of the Passion and blood of the Lord. Amen.
Lavabo.
Remember, O God, for my sake, the washing of the hands of Pilate, as a sign of the innocence of the Lamb of God and His freedom from sin. Pilate washed his hands as a sign that he was not guilty of the murder of Christ, but I must acknowledge that I have condemned Jesus to death by my sinfulness. My declaration of justice will not suffice, but do Thou declare me pardoned. O my God, let me hear the words, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” Amen.
Orate Fratres.
I call to mind the scene when Pilate presented Jesus to the Jewish rabble, all covered with blood, with a crown of thorns on His head, His sacred body torn with the lashes of the scourging, and enveloped in a purple mantle. Pilate says, “Behold the man!” But the Jews cry out, and oh, how their cruel words sound in my ears, “Crucify Him, crucify Him”! Look upon our Jesus, O God, as He stands there, claiming the kindness of some good heart, and through His precious blood have mercy on us. Amen.
Canon.
I will now, O my God, with the angels, bow low before Thee, and cry Holy, holy, holy, God of hosts! The angels continually cry thus to Thee in heaven. I ought to be engaged here on earth in the same occupation. But let me continue to meditate on the sacred Passion of Thy Son and how He carried His cross. I offer Thee the way of the cross which He made, and all the suffering which He endured during it. He fell three times to the ground, crushed by its weight; stains of blood from His recent scourging marked His path. I see the Cyrenean unwilling to carry the cross for Jesus. Veronica wipes His face, and the women of Jerusalem weep over the cruelty that the Lord had to endure. I offer to Thee the bitter meeting of Mary and her beloved Son. May I be encouraged, through Christ’s Passion, to take the cross on my own shoulders, and carry it with joy. I offer Thee the painful carrying of the cross for all poor Christians who have heavy crosses to bear, and who are bearing them patiently; for the sick, the dying, the poor orphan child, the patient mother who labors, with resignation to Thy holy will, for those dependent on her, and for all who have to suffer on this earth. Let me understand, O my Jesus, the valuable lesson that I deserve to suffer on account of my many sins. Amen.
Elevation Of The Host And Chalice.
I believe, my Jesus, that Thou art now present on this altar; that this bread is now Thy body, and this wine is now Thy blood. Now, O my God, Thy beloved Son has arrived at Calvary. His garments are torn off, and He is nailed to the cross. He is raised, and suspended between heaven and earth, with hands and arms outstretched. There He hangs for three hours, and makes the sacrifice of Himself to Thee, His heavenly Father, for the salvation of the human race. O heavenly Father, look down on this altar and hear the sighs of Thy pleading Son! This is the same sacrifice as that on Calvary: let this Mass, then, have a great spiritual benefit to all on earth. This precious blood is offered up every day on our altars, to obtain pardon for our sins, and new graces for the future. Amen.
Agnus Dei.
I now contemplate Jesus hanging on the cross, His blood flowing from His wounds. I adore Thee on the cross, I listen to Thy words as Thou dost pray for sinners. This holy sacrifice is for them: Christ is the willing Victim that is expiating the sins of mankind; He thirsts for souls on the cross. Father Creator, why dost Thou not create new creatures, and satisfy the thirst of Thy divine Son? Thou canst force the wicked to a change of heart, as Thou didst St. Paul. “Create a clean heart in me, O my God.” But to bring the sacrifice to completion, after the three hours of agony the voice of Jesus is heard exclaiming, “It is consummated.” All is completed; the sufferings and humiliation of the cross are over. Amen.
Communion.
Would, O my Jesus, that I were in a state to go and unite myself to Thee! At least I will unite myself in a spiritual manner. I should always be so full of love towards Thee as to think ever of Thee, and desire to be closely united to Thee and to have Thee buried in my heart. Let me consider before Thee, O heavenly Father, that the sacrifice of the cross is completed, that Thou hast accepted it, and dost look upon the earth with pity and mercy. Still the cruelty of the Jews is not satisfied. They have one more wound to inflict on the Lord. A soldier with a lance opens the sacred side of Our Lord, to demonstrate to every one that the Victim is really dead. O my God, I offer Thee these last marks of the love of the dead Jesus, the wound in His sacred side, and the drops of blood and water which issue therefrom. O my Jesus, Thy heart is open for my reception. I will take refuge therein, away from the temptations of the world. Give me the grace not to fall into mortal sin, as well as to persevere in my resolution to avoid even small sins to the end of my life. I pray for the poor souls in purgatory, for my parents, relatives, sisters and brothers. I recommend to the goodness of Thy Sacred Heart all my benefactors, all those who need my prayers, all the poor, the miserable, and the wretched. I pray also for my country; for peace, prosperity, and love among all the nations that have gathered here to make this their fatherland. I pray also for the conversion of all to the faith, that this may be the kingdom of God here on earth, one sheepfold of Christ, the Good Shepherd. I offer to Thee, O my God, all the sufferings of Jesus for these necessities. Amen.
Conclusion Of The Mass.
In order that this day may be most profitable to me, and to those for whom I have offered this Mass, O heavenly Father, I join myself in spirit in all the Masses that are continually being said all over the world. What great graces are given to mankind by this unceasing succession of oblations of the precious body and blood of Christ! I offer to Thee, also, O my Saviour, all the pious works which are done by so many faithful Christians all over the world. I offer all the confessions, communions, rosaries, and all prayers, as well as all good works of fasting, almsgiving, and penances which are done. I wish to gain all the indulgences which are within my reach to‐day, that I may apply them to the souls in purgatory. Now that the priest is about to bless the people in Thy name, do Thou bless me, as well as those for whom I have prayed. Pour out, by the hands of the priest, the blessing of Thy precious blood with all its merit and innumerable graces, on the souls in purgatory. Purify us from our sins by means of this blessing, and give us strength and courage to do good works. Protect us, Thy children and the heirs of Thy kingdom, and lead us to eternal happiness in company with all the saints in heaven. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Mass.
I thank Thee, O my God, at the end of this Mass, for all the graces which I have received during it. The grace of attention to this holy sacrifice, the grace of faith by which I really saw the dying Jesus offered to God the Father, and His sacred blood applied to the wounds of my soul. I thank Thee for that love which has made me come here, and spend some time in the service of God. May I preserve, to the end of my life, the graces which I have received, so that they may bring me to heaven. The love of God almighty, the grace of His divine Son, and the imparting of the Holy Ghost, be always with me and all the faithful throughout the world. The power of the precious blood, the treasure of the merits of the Blessed Virgin, and the intercession of all the saints accompany me now to my home, to my daily work, and make all that I say and do faithful to eternal life. Amen.
Three Offerings of the Precious Blood.
In thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which the most holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, was enriched, more especially those which she received in her immaculate conception.
1. Eternal Father, in union with the most holy and immaculate Virgin, and in her name, and in union with, and in the name of all the blessed in heaven, and of all the elect upon earth, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which Thou hast enriched Mary, as Thy most obedient daughter, particularly in her immaculate conception. I offer Thee also this precious blood for the conversion of poor sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of Thy holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor, the Bishop of Rome, and according to his intentions.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
2. Eternal and Incarnate Word, in union with the most holy and immaculate Virgin, and in her name, and in union with, and in the name of all the blessed in heaven, and of all the elect upon earth, I offer Thee Thine own most precious blood, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which Thou hast enriched Mary, as Thy most loving Mother, particularly in her immaculate conception. I offer Thee also this precious blood for the conversion of poor sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of Thy holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor, the Bishop of Rome, and according to his intentions.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
3. Holy and eternal Spirit, in union with the most holy and immaculate Virgin, and in her name, and in union with, and in the name of all the blessed in heaven, and of all the elect upon earth, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Jesus, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which Thou hast enriched Mary, as Thy most faithful spouse, particularly in her immaculate conception. I offer Thee also this precious blood for the conversion of poor sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of Thy holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor, the Bishop of Rome, and according to his intentions.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus.
1. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the propagation and exaltation of my dear Mother the holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of her visible head, the holy Roman Pontiff, for the cardinals, bishops and pastors of souls, and for all the ministers of the sanctuary.
_V._ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
_R._ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, Who hath saved us with His blood.
2. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the peace and concord of kings and Catholic princes, for the humiliation of the enemies of the holy faith, and for the happiness of all Christian people.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised, etc.
3. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the repentance of unbelievers, the extirpation of all heresies and the conversion of sinners.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised, etc.