# Second Day of the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
*2008-07-08*

> Bill Young continues the July 8 novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, reflects on the devotion to the Most Precious Blood, and shares a prayer for the scapular and the faithful.

## Feast of St. Gregory and Prayer for Martyrs

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is the feast day of St. Gregory, a 19th‑century bishop and missionary in China. He, along with seven other missionaries and eight Chinese faithful, were martyred on July 9. Let us pray for those martyrs of the past and for those who today suffer persecution, especially in China.

## The Devotion to the Most Precious Blood

Before we begin the novena, I want to share a brief reflection on the devotion to the Most Precious Blood. The Church is holy, though its members are sinners, because she is sustained by grace. When we fall into sin, the sanctity of the Church is hindered, and she suffers. The Precious Blood, poured out for us, is a source of healing and the Holy Spirit’s gift.

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that we cannot grasp the presence of Christ’s body and blood by intellect alone; we receive it through faith, grounded in God’s authority. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says, “This is my body, which is given for you; do this in memory of me.” Likewise, at the Last Supper he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”

Pope John XXIII highlighted this devotion in his apostolic letter, and after the Second Vatican Council the devotion has grown, especially in France. The Council’s documents refer to the Precious Blood multiple times, underscoring its importance.

As a Eucharistic minister I have noticed that only a small number of communicants receive the wine, and some parishes do not offer it at all. This saddens me, because receiving both body and blood is essential to the fullness of the sacrament. Some people worry about germs, but when I have taken the precaution of drinking any remaining wine after communion, I have never become ill. God protects us, and it is an act of faith to receive both species when possible.

## Prayer for the Scapular and the Novena

Now let us pray the novena prayer for the second day (July 8):

“Most Holy Mary, our Mother, in your great love you gave us the holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son, St. Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign of our desire to grow in holiness.”

We follow with our usual petitions:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us. Amen.

*When possible, receive both the body and the blood of Christ, for it completes the grace of the Eucharist.*