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 [pg 312] 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.
[pg 313]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 [pg 314] 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 [pg 315] 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 [pg 316] 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 [pg 317] 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 [pg 318] 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.
[pg 320]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 [pg 321] 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.
4. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all those who shall this day pass to another life, that Thou mayest deliver them from the pains of hell and admit them the more readily to the possession of Thy glory.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised, etc.
5. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all my relatives, friends, and enemies, for the poor, the sick, and those in tribulation, and for all those for whom Thou willest I should pray, or knowest that I ought to pray.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised, etc.
6. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all those who are lovers of this treasure of His blood, and for all those who join with me in adoring and honoring it, and for all those who try to spread the devotion to it.
[pg 322]Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised, etc.
7. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of Jesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all my wants, both spiritual and temporal, for the holy souls in purgatory, and particularly for those, who in their lifetime were most devoted to this price of our redemption, and to the sorrows and pains of our dear Mother, the most holy Mary.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Blessed and praised, etc.
Blessed and exalted be the blood of Jesus, now and always, and through eternity.
Daily Offering.
O my Lord and my God! I commend myself to Thy adorable Heart, and in Thy sacred wounds I resign myself to Thy holy will this day and forever. Include me, O my Lord and my God, in all the holy Masses that have been or will be offered up this day in the whole world. O Lord, I desire to share in all holy communions, all holy Benedictions, in all indulgences, in all the merits and prayers of devout hearts now and forever. O my Lord and my God! I offer Thee all my steps, all my weariness and labors, all my cares and antipathies, all my crosses, sufferings, ignominies, injuries, persecutions, and adversities; these I offer Thee in honor of Thy holy humanity and of Thy most bitter Passion and death; in the merits of all these I include (here mention the names of those for whom you wish to pray in particular), all my relatives, benefactors, friends, enemies, the sick and dying, those who [pg 323] are in temptation or oppressed; all that have commended themselves to my prayers, or for whom I have promised to pray; those to whom I have given scandal, or whom I have in any way enticed to sin; my parents, sisters, and brothers, who have departed this life, and all the souls of the faithful departed. My crucified Saviour, have mercy on the most suffering and abandoned souls in purgatory, also on me, a poor sinner; give me the grace I daily need to serve Thee faithfully until death. I return Thee thanks, thousands and millions of thanks, for all the favors and benefits which Thou hast heaped on me from the first moment of my existence to the present hour. I pray Thee to preserve me always in Thy holy grace, particularly at the hour of my death. Amen.
Plenary Indulgences For Members of the Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood.
On the day of registration to those who, having confessed and communicated, shall pray according to the intention of the Supreme Pontiff. At the hour of death, after confession and communion; or if this be impossible, to such as being contrite, shall invoke with the lips, or if unable, with the heart, the most sweet name of Jesus. Daily for those, who, with confession and communion, shall make an hour's vocal or mental prayer, or partly one and partly the other, in memory of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the dolors of the most holy Mary, praying as above.
Other Plenary Indulgences.
For which, besides the conditions of confession and communion, a visit is enjoined to any church whatever; and this visit may, for any reasonable motive, be commuted by the confessor of the individual for some other pious work.
On the first Sunday of July, being the feast of the Precious Blood; Christmas day, the Epiphany, Easter Sunday, the feasts of the Immaculate Conception, Purification, Assumption of [pg 324]the Blessed Virgin, and of the most holy Rosary; the feast of the holy apostles Saints Peter and Paul; and on the commemoration of all the faithful departed.
On the feast of the Circumcision, on all the Fridays of March, on the 28th of March, being the feast of the Sacred Blood in Sta. Maria in Vado at Ferrara, on Holy Thursday, on the day of the Invention of the Holy Cross, on Ascension day, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and the feast of the most holy Redeemer, the 23d of October.
On the feast of the Annunciation, the Dolors of the most holy Mary, Good Friday, Our Lady of Carmel (July 16th), the Nativity, Seven Dolors (third Sunday of September), and the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin (November 21st).
On the feasts of St. Joseph, St. John Baptist, All Saints, St. Francis Xavier, and of St. Nicholas of Bari.
Once a month on any day they may choose.
Indulgences for all the Faithful, even Such as are not Members.
For such as shall recite the Chaplet of the Precious Blood once in the day, seven years and as many quarantines; and if they recite it daily for a month, a plenary indulgence, having confessed and communicated, on the last day of the month, or any day in the following month. (Pius VII., Oct. 18, 1815.)
The same indulgence can be gained by the recital of thirty-three Our Fathers, meditating at the same time on the seven times Our Lord shed His precious blood; or, by such as are uninstructed and incompetent to meditate, by the simple recital of the thirty-three Our Fathers. (Gregory XVI., July 5, 1843.)
For the prayer, “O most precious blood, etc.,” placed at the end of the Chaplet, three hundred days' indulgence, once a day.
Chaplet of the Precious Blood.
This chaplet is composed of seven mysteries, in which we meditate upon the seven times in which Jesus Christ for love of us shed blood from His most innocent body; at each mystery, except the last, we are to say five Our Fathers and one Glory be to the Father, thus making up the number of thirty-three Our Fathers in remembrance of the thirty-three years during which the precious blood of Jesus flowed in His veins, before it was all poured out for our salvation. The Chaplet ends with the devout prayer, “O most precious blood, etc.”
The Chaplet.
V. Incline unto my aid, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, etc.
R. As it was, etc.
First Mystery.
The first time our loving Saviour shed His precious blood for us was on the eighth day after His birth, when He was circumcised in order to accomplish the Law of Moses. While, then, we reflect that Jesus did this to satisfy the justice of God for our dissolute lives, let us excite ourselves to true sorrow for them, and promise, with the help of His all-powerful grace, to be henceforth truly chaste in body and in soul.
Five Our Fathers and one Glory.
We beseech Thee, therefore, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.
Second Mystery.
Next in the Garden of Olives, Jesus shed His blood for us in such quantity that it bathed the earth around. This took place at the sight of the ingratitude with which men would meet His love. Oh, let us then repent sincerely, because we have hitherto corresponded so illy with the innumerable benefits of Our God, and resolve to make good use of His graces and holy inspirations.
Five Our Fathers, etc.
We beseech, etc.
[pg 326]Third Mystery.
Next, in His cruel scourging, Jesus shed His blood, when His flesh was so torn that rivers of blood flowed from His body in every part, all of which He offered, all the time, to His eternal Father in payment of our impatience and our delicacy. How is it, then, we do not curb our anger and our self-love? Henceforth we will indeed try our very best to bear our troubles well, and, despising ourselves, to take peacefully the injuries which men may do us.
Five Our Fathers, etc.
We beseech, etc.
Fourth Mystery.
Again, from the sacred head of Jesus, blood poured down when it was crowned with thorns, in punishment of our pride and evil thoughts. Shall we, then, continue to nurture haughtiness, foster foul imaginations, and feed the wayward will in our minds? Henceforth let there ever be before our eyes our utter nothingness, our misery and our weakness; and with generous hearts let us resist all the wicked suggestions of the devil.
Five Our Fathers, etc.
We beseech, etc.
Fifth Mystery.
How much of His precious blood did not our loving Lord pour forth from His veins, when laden with the heavy wood of the cross on the mournful way to Calvary, so that the streets and [pg 327] ways of Jerusalem through which He passed were watered with it! This was done in satisfaction for the scandals and the bad examples by which His own creatures had led others astray on the way to ruin. Who can tell how many of us are of this unhappy number? Who knows how many he himself alone has by his own bad example brought down to hell? And have we done anything to remedy this evil? Let us henceforth, at least, endeavor all we can to save souls by word and by example, making ourselves a pattern to all of a good and holy life.
Five Our Fathers, etc.
We beseech, etc.
Sixth Mystery.
Still more copiously the Redeemer of mankind shed blood in His barbarous crucifixion; when His veins being rent and arteries burst, there rushed forth in a torrent from His hands and His feet that saving balm of life eternal, to pay for all the crimes and enormities of the universe. Whoever, after this, would continue in sin, and so renew the cruel crucifixion of the Son of God? Let us weep bitterly for our bad deeds, and let us detest them at the feet of the sacred minister of God; let us amend our evil ways, and henceforth begin a truly Christian life, with the thought ever in our hearts of all the blood which our eternal salvation cost the Saviour of men.
Five Our Fathers, etc.
We beseech, etc.
Seventh Mystery.
Last of all, after His death, when His sacred side was opened, and His loving Heart was [pg 328] wounded, Jesus shed blood, and with the blood there came forth water, to show us how the blood was all poured out to the last drop for our salvation. Oh, the infinite goodness of Our Redeemer! Who will not love Thee, my Saviour? What heart will not consume itself away for love of Thee, Who hast done all this for our redemption? The tongue wants words to praise Thee; let us, then, invite all creatures upon earth, all angels and all saints in paradise, and most of all, our dear Mother Mary, to bless, to praise, and to celebrate Thy most precious blood. Glory to the blood of Jesus! Glory to the blood of Jesus! now and ever throughout all ages. Amen.
At this last mystery three Our Fathers and one Glory be to the Father, etc., are said to make up the number of thirty-three.
We beseech, etc.
Then the following
Prayer.
O most precious blood of eternal life, the ransom and redemption of the whole universe! the drink and bath of our souls, thou who art ever pleading the cause of men before the throne of God's sovereign mercy! I adore thee most profoundly, and desire, as far as it is in my power, to compensate thee for the insults and affronts which thou art continually receiving at the hands of men, especially of those who rashly dare to blaspheme thee. And who is there that will not bless this blood of infinite value? Who is there that will not feel himself inflamed with love for Jesus, Who shed it? What should I be if I had not been redeemed by this divine blood? What was it that drew thee forth from the veins of my Lord, even to the last drop? Ah! [pg 329] it was naught else but love. O boundless love, that has given us this balsam of salvation! O balsam beyond price, streaming forth from the well-spring of a boundless love, grant, oh, grant that every heart and tongue may praise, and magnify, and bless thee, now and forever, even unto the day of eternity. Amen.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, with Thy blood.
R. And Thou hast made us a kingdom unto Our God.
O almighty and eternal God, Who hast appointed Thy only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast willed to be appeased by His blood, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may venerate upon earth the price of our salvation, and be shielded by its might from the evils of this present life, so that we may enjoy it everlastingly in heaven. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.