THE LITANY OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS

The Litany of the Most Precious Blood pays tribute to the blood our Lord both shed for us in His Passion and offers us in the Eucharist for our salvation.

It is important to remember that the host we consume at Mass is indeed the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ! (Although the wine at communion is “my blood of the new covenant” as our Lord put it at the Last Supper (Mark 14:24) the host as the body of Christ contains our Lord’s blood as well.)

The Litany of the Most Precious Blood was approved for public use in 1960 by Pope John XXIII, although devotion to the Precious Blood goes back centuries. Indeed, as Father Faber wrote in 1860 “the lives of the saints are replete with devotion to the precious blood.” The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood in the Church’s Liturgical Calendar.

When the Litany of the Most Precious Blood is prayed publicly, the congregation’s responses to a leader are given in italics below.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us.Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. 
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. 

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son
of the Eternal Father, save us. (after each line) 
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, 
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, 
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, 
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, 
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, 
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, 
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, 
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, 
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, 
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, 
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, 
Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs, 
Blood of Christ, strength of confessors, 
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins, 
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, 
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, 
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, 
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, 
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, 
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, 
Blood of Christ, pledge of Eternal Life, 
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, 
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, 

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, 
Spare us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, 
Graciously hear us, O Lord. 
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, 
Have mercy on us. 

V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Litany of the Most Precious Blood gives us a poignant reminder of not only the Passion but also of the good our Lord’s Blood can do for us as the “Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls” at Mass as well.

St. Peter reminds us of its importance when he writes. “You were redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). As our Lord Himself said, His blood would be shed for "the forgiveness of sins" (Matt 26:28).

May the Litany of the Most Precious Blood inspire you in your efforts to receive Him worthily in Communion and to have Him fortify you in your efforts to serve Him and others on your journey towards Eternal Life!