# The Chaplet to the Most Precious Blood
*2015-07-01*

> Bill Young leads the listeners through the chaplet of the Most Precious Blood, explaining its structure and praying each of the mysteries while invoking the Blessed Junípero Serra’s feast day.

## Opening and Context

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today is July 1, the feast of Blessed Junípero Serra, who brought the mission system to California. July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we will pray the Chaplet to the Most Precious Blood.

## How to Pray the Chaplet

A special red chaplet is used. The first mystery is announced, then on each bead a Glory Be is recited. On the seventh bead of each decade we repeat the Glory Be three times. The chaplet begins with the Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

We open with: “O God, come to my aid. 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.”

## The Mysteries

Each mystery focuses on a different aspect of Christ’s blood:

**First Mystery – The First Drops**
“O Jesus, Son of God, through the first drops of blood you shed for our salvation, reveal to us the value of life and the duty to confront sin with faith and courage.”

**Second Mystery – The Sweat at Gethsemane**
“O God, Son of God, may the blood you shed in Gethsemane help us to hate sin, for offending you is the true evil that spoils love.”

**Third Mystery – The Blood at the Pillar**
“O Divine Master, may the blood shed at the pillar encourage us to love purity and live in intimate friendship with you.”

**Fourth Mystery – The Crown of Thorns**
“O King of the universe, may the blood that stained the crown of thorns destroy our selfishness and pride, so that we may grow in love and serve those in need.”

**Fifth Mystery – The Blood on the Way to Calvary**
“O Savior of the world, may the blood shed on the way to Calvary light our power to carry your cross and complete your passion in our lives.”

**Sixth Mystery – The Lamb’s Sacrifice**
“O Lamb of God, sacrifice for us; teach us to forgive those who offend us and to love our enemies.”

**Seventh Mystery – The Heart of Mercy**
“Our merciful Lord, pierce our hearts, accept our prayers for the poor and the suffering, and bring humanity into one body united in love, justice, and peace.”

After each mystery we pray the Our Father, the Glory Be, and the concluding prayer: “We beseech you, O Lord, to come to the aid of your children, whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood.”

## Conclusion

We finish the chaplet with a final Glory Be and the Sign of the Cross. In our next episode we will pray the Litany of the Most Precious Blood.

*May the Precious Blood of Christ draw us ever closer to Him and empower us to live lives of love and sacrifice.*