Posted on July 2, 2024 View all news
The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord. In 1849, Blessed Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Precious Blood on July 1. This Feast continues to be celebrated on the traditional calendar, while on the new calendar, it was combined with the Feast of Corpus Christi. Devotion to the Precious Blood goes back to the early Church. St. John Chrysostom states: “This blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. This blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church.”
The Fathers of the Church held to the belief that it was from the side of Christ that the Church was born and that it is His flowing blood that gives power to the Chruch to administer the Sacraments. Pope Benedict XVI stated: “To the cry which rises from so many parts of the earth for the blood that is spilled, God responds with the Blood of his Son, who gave his life for us. Christ did not respond to evil with evil but with goodness, with his infinite love. The Blood of Christ is the pledge of Godʼs faithful love for humanity. Every human being, even in conditions of extreme moral wretchedness can say, fixing his eyes on the wounds of the Crucified One: ‘God has not abandoned me, he loves me, he has given his life for me,’ and thus rediscover hope.”
May we strive, during this month of the Precious Blood, to have greater devotion to the blood that was poured out for our sakes. Each time we are tempted to turn from God, may we remember the blood that was shed on the Cross to have a more abundant life. To raise our devotion, one could recite, especially during July, the Litany of the Precious Blood. As Fr. John Hardon says: “Devotion to the Precious Blood is not a spiritual option, it is a spiritual obligation, and that not only for priests, but for every follower of Christ.” Precious Blood of Christ, save us!
This month, we will have our annual parish picnic on July 28. I certainly hope everyone can join us at Kolping Grove for this fun event! Also, this month, the Oratory will welcome two new novices, Fr. Michael and Gabe. They will be clothed on September 3 with the habit of the Oratory. Although
Fr. Michael is a priest, he will still have to go through our formation and novitiate and will not have an assignment in the parish during this first year. He will certainly assist with confession and Mass, but I ask that we all respect the novitiate year and rules. Please be sure to keep them in your prayers. You will have a chance to meet them at the parish picnic!
