In June, our prayers were dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; now in July, our devotion is directed to the Precious Blood, which was "shed for the many, for the remission of sins."
Many non-Catholics find Catholic devotion to the "body parts" of Jesus Christ to be a little odd. In addition to the Sacred Heart and the Precious Blood, there are devotions to the Five Wounds (in Christ's hands, feet, and side); to the shoulder wound, where Christ carried the Cross; and to the wounds caused by the crown of thorns, to name just a few.
Faced with Protestant discomfort with these devotion, many Catholics have abandoned or downplayed them. But we should not do that. These devotions provide a living witness to our belief in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Our Savior is not an abstraction; He is God-Made-Man. And as the Athanasian Creed tells us, in becoming man, Christ assumed humanity into the Godhead.
It's an awesome thought: Our physical nature is united to God through the Person of Jesus Christ. When we venerate Christ's Precious Blood or His Sacred Heart, we aren't making an idol out of Creation; we are worshiping the One True God Who so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son to save us from everlasting death.
Through our Prayers for July, we can all join with the Church in reaffirming our belief that our God walked among men, that one day we might all dwell with God.
Thank you, Scott. Well said. God bless you.
THANKS FOR THE ENLIGHTENMENT.I THINK THE NOVENA SHOULD BE FOR THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
Having converted from Protestantism to Catholicism in 2006, I am constantly in awe of the many ways my Christian faith is deepened and developed, discipleship of Jesus evolved in a constant conversion process, within the Catholic Church. I draw enormous comfort and encouragement of faith when I contemplate and pray about any one aspect of Jesus’ sacrifice for us so that, through Him, we may have victory over death and all that is evil. All glory to God!
Faith Convert
Thanks for the info. We should all understand more as to why we Venerate these particular things. Your information makes all of us better & stronger Catholics. We should never let any other faith intimadate us. We are the 1 True Church. WE have 1 leader, our Pope & 1 set of dominate Beliefs. Thank You & God Bless
) Keep up the good work
May God continue to give u strenght and bless your effort in making us lift our hearts through novenas