St. Margaret of Cortona Parish

Importance of Mass Intentions

 

As Catholics, we believe that there is inestimable value in “having a Mass celebrated” for a particular intention. A Mass may be offered in thanksgiving for our blessings, family, health and answer to prayers. A Mass may be offered for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday), or, as is most common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. We must never forget the infinite graces that flow from the Sacrifice of the Mass which benefit ones soul. Masses offered for us during our life can help us obtain the great grace of a happy and holy death.

 

The most beautiful gift one can give to another person is a gift of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. No material gift can ever compare to or equal the Infinite Value of the Holy Mass. Masses offered for our departed loved ones and all the Holy Souls in Purgatory is a great act of charity. As a Spiritual Act of Mercy consider, then, to have Masses offered for yourself and your family, living and dead. Use the Infinite Treasure of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Mass intentions are scheduled in the Parish Office.

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NOTE: Please remember that the Altar Bread and Wine and the Sanctuary Candle, as well as Flowers for the Altar can be memorialized. Check at the Parish Office for available dates.

July’s Devotion is to the Precious Blood of Jesus

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From the time of the Passion, when Christ poured out His blood for our salvation, the faithful have practiced devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. In the month of July, the Church honors the Precious Blood and encourages us in this devotion. The traditional feast day devoted to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ is July 1st.
 

The devotion has its scriptural roots in numerous references from the New Testament. In Romans 5:9, we read of justification by His blood. In Hebrews 10:19, we read of our sanctification and consecration by the Precious Blood. In 1 John 1:7 we are told that it cleanses us from all sin.

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Romans 5:9: "Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God."

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Hebrews 10: 19-22: "Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

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John 1:6-7: "If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin"

 

Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus

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Many saints have spoken of devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus; notable among them is St. Catherine of Siena, who often wrote about the Precious Blood of Jesus in her Dialogue—a written account of her mystical visions

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In more recent times, this devotion has more widely taken root in our Catholic tradition. Devotion to the Precious Blood spread greatly through the prayer, preaching, and work of Bl. Gaspar del Bufalo, a 19th century Roman priest, and founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

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Blessed Gaspar brought this beloved devotion out of the sanctuary and into the hearts of Catholics around the world. It is through his life’s work that the devotion grew widespread in the Church.

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The faithful are encouraged to honor the Precious Blood always and especially during the month of July. Consider making an act of love to the Precious Blood every day this month, such as an Act of Consecration to the Precious Blood of Jesus and the Litany of the Precious Blood as an act of love and reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Precious Blood courses through the Church, giving life to the Body of Christ. It was the cleansing agent that allowed the holy saints and martyrs to wash their robes clean. It is the price of our redemption, the object of our salvation, and the assurance of our eternal inheritance.

As we honor the Precious Blood of Jesus in union with the Church this month, may it awaken in our hearts a love and gratitude for Christ’s gift to us, for He has saved us by His blood.

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CONSECRATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST

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Conscious, merciful Savior, of my nothingness and of Thy sublimity, I cast myself at Thy
feet and thank Thee for the many proofs of Thy grace shown unto me, Thy ungrateful
creature. I thank Thee especially for delivering me by thy Precious Blood from the
destructive power of Satan. In the presence of my dear Mother Mary, my guardian
angel, my patron saint, and of the whole company of heaven, I dedicate myself
voluntarily with a sincere heart, O dearest Jesus, to Thy Precious Blood, by which Thou
hast redeemed the world from sin, death and hell. I promise Thee, with the help of Thy
grace and to the utmost of my strength to stir up and foster devotion to thy Precious
Blood, the price of our redemption, so that Thy adorable Blood may be honored and
glorified by all. In this way, I wish to make reparation for my disloyalty towards Thy
Precious Blood of love, and to make satisfaction to Thee for the many profanations
which men commit against that precious price of their salvation. O would that my own
sins, my coldness, and all the acts of disrespect I have ever committed against Thee, O
Holy Precious Blood, could be undone. Behold, O dearest Jesus, I offer to Thee the
love, honor and adoration, which Thy most Holy Mother, Thy faithful disciples and all
the saints have offered to Thy Precious Blood. I ask thee to forget my earlier
faithlessness and coldness, and to forgive all who offend thee. Sprinkle me, O Divine
Savior, and all men with Thy Precious Blood, so that we, O Crucified Love, may love
thee from now on with all our hearts, and worthily honor the price of our salvation.
Amen.

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