Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus, 'the price of our redemption', is among the devotions the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy explicitly commends, rooted as it is in Scripture (1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9) and in the Eucharist. The chaplet in its usual form was spread in the early nineteenth century by Saint Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. It contemplates seven occasions on which Christ shed his blood, and its thirty-three Our Fathers recall the thirty-three years of his earthly life.

What you need

• A Precious Blood chaplet (seven groups of beads: five, five, five, five, five, five and three), or an ordinary rosary counted accordingly
• About fifteen minutes

When to pray it

Fridays, throughout Lent, and during July, the month traditionally dedicated to the Precious Blood; also before or after Mass, where the Blood of Christ is offered and received.

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Open the chaplet

   Make the Sign of the Cross▾. Then: V. O God, come to my assistance. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be▾ to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

2. 2

   Step 2: The First Mystery: the Circumcision

   Scripture: Luke 2:21. On the eighth day the child is circumcised and named Jesus, and sheds the first drops of his blood under the Law. Pray five Our Fathers▾ and the Glory Be▾. Then: V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

3. 3

   Step 3: The Second Mystery: the Agony in the Garden

   Scripture: Luke 22:44. In Gethsemane his sweat becomes like drops of blood falling to the ground. Pray five Our Fathers▾ and the Glory Be▾. V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

4. 4

   Step 4: The Third Mystery: the Scourging

   Scripture: John 19:1. Pilate has Jesus scourged, and his blood flows under the whips at the pillar. Pray five Our Fathers▾ and the Glory Be▾. V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

5. 5

   Step 5: The Fourth Mystery: the Crowning with Thorns

   Scripture: Matthew 27:29. The soldiers press a crown of thorns onto his head and his blood runs down his face. Pray five Our Fathers▾ and the Glory Be▾. V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

6. 6

   Step 6: The Fifth Mystery: the Way of the Cross

   Scripture: John 19:17. Carrying the cross to Golgotha, Jesus leaves his blood on the stones of the road and on the wood he carries. Pray five Our Fathers▾ and the Glory Be▾. V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

7. 7

   Step 7: The Sixth Mystery: the Crucifixion

   Scripture: Luke 23:33. His hands and feet are nailed to the cross, and he sheds his blood for three hours until he dies. Pray five Our Fathers▾ and the Glory Be▾. V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

8. 8

   Step 8: The Seventh Mystery: the Piercing of his Side

   Scripture: John 19:34. After his death a soldier pierces his side with a lance, "and immediately blood and water flowed out." Pray three Our Fathers▾ (bringing the total to thirty-three) and the Glory Be▾. V. We beseech you, therefore, help your servants. R. Whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.

9. 9

   Step 9: Close with the prayer of the Precious Blood

   Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, you appointed your only begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his Blood; grant, we beseech you, that we may so venerate the price of our salvation, and by its power be so defended against the evils of this present life, that we may enjoy its fruit for ever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Make the Sign of the Cross▾.

Tips

• Each mystery ends with the same versicle and response; say it slowly, as a real plea, not a refrain.
• The Anima Christi ('Blood of Christ, inebriate me') is a fitting closing prayer after the chaplet.
• Join the chaplet to your next Holy Communion by offering it in thanksgiving for the Blood you receive there.

Related devotions

• Chaplet of the Precious Blood