Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Precious Blood of Jesus Prayers for Priests

Eternal Father,
I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
for the sanctification of priests.
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The Precious Blood of Jesus would be a powerful offering for priests. In the words of Blessed Pope John XXIII,

"Unlimited is the effectiveness of the God-Man's Blood--just as unlimited as the love that impelled Him to pour it out for us...

"You know well enough that your ransom was not paid in earthly currency, silver or gold; it was paid in the Precious Blood of Christ; no lamb was ever so pure, so spotless a victim...God wants all men to be saved, for He has willed that they should all be ransomed by the Blood of His only-begotten Son; He calls them all to be members of the one Mystical Body whose head is Christ. If only men would be more responsive to the promptings of His grace, how much the bonds of brotherly love among individuals and peoples and nations would be strengthened. Life in society would be so much more peaceable, so much worthier of God and the human nature created in His image and likeness."

Prayer for Priests and Those Destined for the Priesthood.

This beautiful prayer of St. Catherine of Siena, O.P. could be adapted to include specific mention of priests.

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Precious Blood,
Ocean of Divine Mercy,
Flow upon us!
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Precious Blood,
Most Pure Offering,
Procure us every grace!
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Precious Blood,
Hope and Refuge of sinners,
Atone for us!
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Precious Blood,
Delight of the Holy Souls,
Draw us!
Amen.
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Pope Benedict recently said,

"It is written in Genesis that the blood of Abel killed by his brother Cain calls to God from the earth. Unfortunately, today as yesterday, this cry has not ceased as human blood continues to flow because of violence, injustice and hatred. When will men learn that life is sacred and belongs only to God? When will they understand that we are all brothers? To the cry for spilt blood which rises from so many parts of the earth, God responds with the Blood of His Son Who gave His life for us. Christ did not respond to evil with evil, but with good, with His infinite love.

The Blood of Christ is the pledge of God's faithful love for humankind. By gazing at the wounds of the crucified Christ each man, even in conditions of abject moral poverty, can say: 'God has not abandoned me, He loves me, He gave His life for me', and thus rediscover hope."

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Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests, and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of his Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.

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Brother Lawrence Lew, O.P. comments on his above photograph here.

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