# The prayer of St. Caspar to the most precious blood
*2015-07-07*

> Bill Young reflects on the martyrdom of St. Gregory Grassi and his companions in China and leads a prayer dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus.

## The martyrdom of St. Gregory Grassi

Today is Wednesday, July 8th, and it is the feast day of St. Gregory Grassi and companions. St. Gregory was a bishop and a missionary in China in the early 1900s. During a big uprising in 1900, many Christian missionaries were killed and martyred, and St. Gregory was among them. He and 140 companions were beatified as saints in the year 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

## Prayer of St. Caspar to the Most Precious Blood

O wounds, O precious blood of my Lord, may I bless you in eternity. Transformed into a womb [unclear], how far we are from conforming to your life. O blood of Jesus Christ, the balsam of our souls, source of all mercy, grant that my tongue, as well as the blood of the daily celebration of the Mass, may bless you now and always.

Our Lord, who would not love you? Who would not burn with affection for you? Your wounds, your blood, your thorns, the cross—especially the divine blood shed to the last drop. With what an eloquent voice they cry out to my poor heart: 'As you suffered and died for me to save me, I will give, if necessary, my very life, so that I may obtain the blessed possessions of heaven.'

O Jesus, you have become our redemption from your open side, Ark of salvation. Firmest of love, gush forth blood and water as a sign of the benefits of the sacraments and of the tenderness of your love. O Christ, who loves us and wishes us in your blood. Amen.

## A prayer for Pope Francis

As we go about our day, please say a little prayer for Pope Francis, who is in America and Ecuador praying with and loving the people. Through Jesus Christ, the Son, our Lord, for your blood was able to renew us.

*We are called to conform our lives to the sacrifice of Christ and find redemption through His Precious Blood.*