St. Alphonsus, in speaking of the precious blood, says: “So, then, my Jesus, in order to save my soul, Thou hast prepared a bath of Thine own blood wherein to cleanse it from the filth of its sins. If. then, our souls have been bought by Thy blood, ‘For you are bought with a great price’ (1 Cor. vi. 20), it is a sign that Thou lovest them much; and as Thou dost love them, let us pray thus to Thee: ‘We therefore pray Thee to help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.’ It is true that by my sins I have separated myself from Thee, and have knowingly lost Thee. But remember, my Jesus, that Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Ah, may this blood not have been given in vain for me, which was shed with so much grief and so much love.” We ought to read these words over and over again, until they penetrate our souls with that devotion to the precious blood which this great saint possessed, filling all our daily lives with a heavenly sweetness. Prayer. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc. 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 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.