Jesus said in the Gospel of John that unless we drink His blood we have no life in Him. In the Catholic faith, we believe His Word to be true. At the holy sacrifice of the Mass, we believe Christ’s blood is mysteriously made present to us from ordinary wine through the prayer of the priest and through the infinite power of the Holy Spirit.
The Eucharist
Sacramental Grace
The Eucharist is a sacramental grace that has been given to us by God in our Catholic faith, a faith built on the Rock of St. Peter. The birth of the Church flowed forth from Christ’s side when He was crucified at Calvary. The price of our salvation has been paid for with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. All thanks and praise be to God.
Prayer of Praise: “Blessed and praised forevermore be Jesus, Who has saved us with His Blood!”
Test your knowledge of the Catholic faith!
In St. Johns’ Gospel, during the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday, Jesus’ side is pierced by one of the Roman soldiers with a spear.
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. John 19:34
Q. What does the blood and water flowing from Jesus’ pierced side represent?
- A.) Advent and Easter
- B.) Clergy and Laity
- C.) Saints and Martyrs
- D. )Baptism and Eucharist
Answer: The Blood and water represent Baptism and the Eucharist, which are the Sacraments of the new life. Just as Eve was formed from the side of Adam, the Church is formed from the side of Christ. The water also represents the Holy Spirit poured out upon the world by Christ, the “living water’ he mentioned to the Samaritan woman by the well (cf. Jn 4:10) (CCC 478, 694, 766, 1225, 2669). Source: The Didache Bible
Blood of Christ Has Eternal Redemptive Value
Our Lady of Fatima said that if we knew what eternity was like, we would do everything we can to change our lives and obtain salvation in Christ. Consider this verse of wisdom from the ancient Hebrew scribe Ben Sira in the Book of Sirach:
Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity. Sirach 18:10
One Drop of the Precious Blood of Christ…
Similarly, in faith, we believe just one drop of the precious blood of Christ is worth infinitely more than all the wealth, luxuries, and vanities this world can offer us.
One drop of the precious blood of Jesus Christ is infinitely capable of saving every human being who believes in Him, past, present and future, for all of eternity.
“He who stands in need of no one gave communion with Himself to those who need Him.” – St. Irenaeus
The Merits of the Passion of the Christ
This is because with the precious blood of Jesus there is reconciliation, and there is the hope of immortality with God for the faithful at the last judgment.
CCT 2400 …no one can obtain salvation unless through Christ and the merits of His Passion. Hence it was becoming in itself, and highly advantageous to us, that a Sacrament should be instituted through the force and efficacy of which the blood of Christ flows into our souls, washes away all the sins committed after Baptism, and thus leads us to recognize that it is to our Savior alone we owe the blessing of reconciliation.
Blood of Christ in the Bible
This may not be precise, but I noted the following in the New Testament:
- There are 86 verses in the New Testament that mentions the word “blood.”
- There are 25 verses in the New Testament that mention Jesus’s blood.
- There 11 verses that mention on some level, “the blood of Jesus Christ.”
Our focus will be on the 11 verses about the blood (Greek: haima) of Christ. All 11 verses are found in the New Testament and Catholic Letters of the New Testament Bible.
11 Verses About Christ’s Precious Blood
| Reference | Verse | CR. |
|---|---|---|
| 1. “Blood of Christ” | 1 Cor 10:16 | Act 2:42 |
| 2. “Blood of Christ” | Eph 2:13 | Isa 57:19 |
| 3. “Blood of Christ” | Heb 9:14 | Rom 5:9 |
| 4. “Blood of Christ” | 1 Pt 1:2 | Rom 8:29 |
| 5. “Precious Blood” | 1 Pt 1:19 | Isa 53:7 |
| 6. “Blood of His Cross” | Col 1:20 | Eph 1:10 |
| 7. “Blood of Jesus” | Heb 10:19 | Eph 1:7 |
| 8. “Blood of the Lamb” | Rev 7:14 | Mt 24:21 |
| 9. “Blood of the Lamb” | Rev 12:11 | Jn 15:13 |
| 10. “Blood of the Lord” | 1 Cor 11:27 | 1 Cor 11:29 |
| 11. “Blood of His Son” | 1 Jn 1:7 | Mt 26:28 |
Blood of Christ
1. Catholic Communion in the Blood of Christ
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16
The Cup of Blessing
A ritual cup is blessed during the Jewish Passover. The “cup of blessing” is the traditional name. This cup of blessing is the same cup Christ consecrated Himself at the Last Supper with his disciples during their Passover meal together.
Christ’s cup of blessing is the chalice of the New Covenant, the chalice of His blood we partake in during holy communion of the Eucharist at the Mass.
Partaking in the blood of Christ at holy communion unites us both with God and with each other. (CCC 1334, CCC 1340)
2. Being Near to Jesus by His Precious Blood
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
The Blood of Christ Draws Us Near to Him
God shows His great love for us by drawing us near to Him by the blood of His Son. When a person is baptized, the Holy Spirit dwells in the soul. When we honor our baptism, we receive spiritual consolation through the Eucharist. The blood of Christ allows us to better see Christ in our lives, working in us and drawing us closer to Him.
“Just when God seemed to be furthest from the Ephesians, He was coming close to them by the blood of Jesus.” – St. Jerome
3. Blood of Christ is Offered to God
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God. Hebrews 9:13-14
The Blood of Christ is More Powerful
St. Thomas Aquinas affirmed that the blood of Christ is more powerful than the blood of goats and bulls because the blood of Christ secured eternal redemption by offering Himself to the Eternal Father. Christ offers each us eternal salvation on His cross.
“The priest joins his hands and makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and the chalice together, saying: so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Source: From the Order of the Mass
4. Sprinkling of Christ’s Blood: Grace and Peace
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, in the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: may grace and peace be yours in abundance. 1 Peter 1:1-2
Forgiveness of Sin
The passion of the Christ offers salvation. The Father wills it. The Holy Spirit loves us. We obtain forgiveness of our sins through the blood of Jesus. With the chance of eternal salvation in Christ, we should strive to be obedient to Him and his teachings.
“Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.” – St. Clement
Precious Blood of Christ
5. Blood of Christ is Spotless and Unblemished
…you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 1 Peter 1:18-19
Christ is the Sacrificial Unblemished Lamb
As Catholics, we believe we are ransomed by the blood of Christ, shed for us on the cross. Christ is the “new passover.” It is his eternal sacrificial offering of His own being, unblemished by the stain of sin, that Christ offers on our behalf to the Eternal Father.
Let the bishop pray for the people, and say: “Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance, which Thou hast obtained with the precious blood of Thy Christ, and hast called a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.” Source: The Apostolic Constitutions A.D. 375
“Christ was slain as a lamb; he rose again as God.” – St. Melito
Blood of His Cross
6. God’s Peace in the Blood of His Cross
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. Colossians 1:19-20
Reconciliation by the Blood of His Cross
In faith, we believe the blood of Jesus’ Cross provides us reconciliation and redemption through Christ’s death. The shedding of Jesus’ blood restores us to peace with God the Father. Partaking of the precious blood during holy communion at Mass unites us as family members with God in the Divine life through His grace.
“The Catholic Church glories in every deed of Christ. Her supreme glory, however, is the cross.” – St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Blood of Jesus
7. Blood of Jesus Allows Entry in the Divine Life
Therefore, brothers, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh Hebrews 10:19-20
Q. 917. What is the Mass? A. The Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ. Source: Baltimore Catechism
Christ is Our High Priest
When we faithfully partake of the Eucharist (body, blood, soul, and Divinity of Christ) in a state of sanctifying grace during holy communion, we receive the sacramental grace to be united with the presence of God the Father in heaven.
Christ is our High Priest, and it is His redemptive sacrifice that strengthens us during our pilgrim journey on earth as disciples and members of His Church (CCC 2178).
“Christ offered his body to God the Father on the altar of the cross as a sacrifice for our reconciliation.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
Blood of the Lamb
The voice from heaven, mentioned in the Apocalypse, also proclaims God to be the author of our victories: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth; and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.” Source: Catechism of the Council of Trent
8. Blood of the Lamb Cleanses Us from Sin
I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelations 7:14
The Blood of the Lamb Cleanses Us From Sin
The blood of the Lamb, when received worthily at holy communion during Mass, cleanses us from all venial sin. If we are in mortal sin, we should not receive holy communion. We should go to confession as soon as possible and receive absolution from the priest for our sins to restore the Lord’s sanctifying grace in our souls.
Washed: He speaks not of martyrs alone. They are washed in their own blood. But the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, cleanses the whole Church from all sin, therefore are they before the throne of God. For they are accounted worthy to stand there together in the service of God, who in the midst of adverse things are faithful confessors of His Name. – St. Bede the Venerable
9. Victory in the Blood of the Lamb
They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Revelation 12:11
Christ’s Victory on the Cross
The blood of martyrs share in Christ’s victory in a special way. Love conquers death. Christ’s victory on the cross defeats the devil, our accuser. Let us rejoice with the martyrs. Christ was willing to shed His blood for our sins to purify us and save us.
“The Lord was willing to hand over his body for destruction so that by the shedding of his blood we might be made holy through the remission of our sins.” – St. Barnabas
Blood of the Lord
10. Reverence for the Blood of the Lord
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27
Receiving Holy Communion Worthily
There are two (2) things to keep in mind here as Catholic with this verse:
- Is there any mortal sin? If yes, I should not receive communion.
- Have I been kind and charitable? If no, I should not receive communion.
Receiving Eucharistic Communion can be an act of sacrilege and self-condemnation if done in a state of serious (mortal) sin. For Paul, to sin against the body and blood in this way is to be liable for the Lord’s violent death. The offenders in Corinth incurred this guilt by overeating, drunkenness, and discrimination against the poor. Such carelessness before the Sacrament triggered Divine judgments of sickness and even death (1 Cor 11:30). Source: Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – New Testament
“Rouse your conscience to accuse you within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord.” – St. John Chrysostom
Blood of His Son
11. The Blood of God’s Son Cleanses Us from Sin
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of His Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
Walking in the Light of Christ
If we are walking in the light of Christ, we are following Him and His precepts. We are living our lives faithfully in a state of grace. We are mindful of our baptismal vows and living a life of penance. We are receiving Christ devoutly at Mass during holy communion. And if we have His light in us, it shines forth in our discipleship.
The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. We have fellowship with God and with one another. We prove our love with works of mercy, just as He did and does for us.
“The light in which you dwell, Lord, is beyond my understanding.” – St. Anselm
The Precious Blood of Jesus
These 25 New Testament verses also reference to a lesser extent the “Blood of Christ.”
| # | Reference | Verse | CR. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Agony | Lk 22:44 | Gen 3:19 |
| 2. | Church | Jn 19:34 | Nm 20:11 |
| 3. | Church | 1 Jn 5:6 | Jn 19:34 |
| 4. | Church | 1 Jn 5:8 | Jn 5:32 |
| 5. | Consecrate | Heb 13:12 | Mt 21:39 |
| 6. | Covenant | Lk 22:20 | Ex 24:8 |
| 7. | Covenant | 1 Cor 11:25 | Heb 8:6 |
| 8. | Covenant | Heb 10:29 | Heb 6:6 |
| 9. | Covenant | Heb 12:24 | Gen 4:10 |
| 10. | Eucharist | Jn 6:53 | Gen 3:24 |
| 11. | Eucharist | Jn 6:54 | Mk 14:23 |
| 12. | Eucharist | Jn 6:55 | 1 Cor 10:16 |
| 13. | Eucharist | Jn 6:56 | 1 Cor 11:25 |
| 14. | Jesus | Mt 27:24 | Dt 21:7 |
| 15. | Jesus | Mt 27:25 | Jer 26:15 |
| 16. | Jesus | Act 5:28 | Mt 27:25 |
| 17. | Jesus | Heb 2:14 | 2 Tim 2:10 |
| 18. | Innocent | Mt 27:4 | Dt 27:25 |
| 19. | judgment | Rev 19:13 | Isa 63:1 |
| 20. | Sacrifice | Act 20:28 | Jn 21:17 |
| 21. | Sacrifice | Rom 3:25 | 1 Jn 4:10 |
| 22. | Sacrifice | Rom 5:9 | 1 Thes 1:10 |
| 23. | Sacrifice | Eph 1:7 | Col 1:20 |
| 24. | Sacrifice | Rev 1:5 | Heb 9:14 |
| 25. | Sacrifice | Rev 5:9 | Jn 1:29 |
11 Blood of Christ Verses (Recap)
In faith, we believe the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin and enables us to partake in the Divine life through the sacramental grace of God in the Eucharist. Christ sacrificed His own body and blood on the cross for the sake of our salvation.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith (CCC 1324).
Although we may not be able to receive the precious blood of Christ with the struggles we are enduring in our world today, let us have faith that we will again soon.
Nevertheless, we are receiving the sacramental graces through the body of Christ.
CCC 1390 Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace…
Just as Christ sacrificed His body and blood for us on His holy cross at Calvary, let us also make sacrifices for Him in the goodness of His grace and love for us.
“My sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit. – A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.” Liturgy of the Hours Volume II p. 155
Catechism of the Blood of Christ
Here is a list of 58 references to the Blood of Christ from the Catechism.
| # | CCC | Description | Reference | Verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 766 | Blood and Water | The Church is born | Jn 19:34 |
| 2. | 1225 | Blood and Water | Baptism/Eucharist | Mk 10:38 |
| 3. | 602 | Blood of Christ | God made Him to be sin | 1 Pt 1:18-20 |
| 4. | 827 | Blood of Christ | The Church is holy | Heb 2:17 |
| 5. | 1105 | Blood of Christ | Epiclesis | Rom 12:1 |
| 6. | 1106 | Blood of Christ | Epiclesis | n/a |
| 7. | 1244 | Blood of Christ | Holy Communion | Rev 19:9 |
| 8. | 1335 | Blood of Christ | Eucharist | Jn 6:51 |
| 9. | 1355 | Blood of Christ | Holy Communion | Jn 6:51 |
| 10. | 1357 | Blood of Christ | Eucharist | 1 Cor 11:24-25 |
| 11. | 1375 | Blood of Christ | Eucharist | n/a |
| 12. | 1396 | Blood of Christ | Eucharist | 1 Cor 12:13 |
| 13. | 1397 | Blood of Christ | Eucharist | Mt 25:40 |
| 14. | 1426 | Blood of Christ | Christian Initiation | Eph 1:4 |
| 15. | 1524 | Blood of Christ | Viaticum | Jn 13:1 |
| 16. | 1621 | Blood of Christ | Marriage | 1 Cor 10:17 |
| 17. | 2177 | Blood of Christ | Holy Days of Obligation | n/a |
| 18. | 517 | Blood of His Cross | Redemption | Eph 1:7 |
| 19. | 2305 | Blood of His Cross | Peace of Christ | Isa 9:5 |
| 20. | 610 | Blood of the Covenant | Last Supper | 1 Cor 11:23-25 |
| 21. | 613 | Blood of the Covenant | Christ’s Death | Jn 1:29 |
| 22. | 1323 | Body and Blood | Last Supper | n/a |
| 23. | 1331 | Body and Blood | Holy Communion | 1 Cor 10:16-17 |
| 24. | 1333 | Body and Blood | Eucharist | Ps 104:13-15 |
| 25. | 1339 | Body and Blood | Eucharist | Lk 22:7-20 |
| 26. | 1350 | Body and Blood | Eucharist | Mal 1:11 |
| 27. | 1353 | Body and Blood | Eucharist | n/a |
| 28. | 1374 | Body and Blood | Eucharist | n/a |
| 29. | 1382 | Body and Blood | Mass | n/a |
| 30. | 1383 | Body and Blood | Mass | n/a |
| 31. | 1385 | Body and Blood | Mass | 1 Cor 11:27-29 |
| 32. | 1408 | Body and Blood | Eucharist | n/a |
| 33. | 1411 | Body and Blood | Mass | n/a |
| 34. | 1413 | Body and Blood | Transubstantiation | n/a |
| 35. | 1416 | Body and Blood | Holy Communion | n/a |
| 36. | 2042 | Body and Blood | 3rd Precept of the Church | n/a |
| 37. | 2618 | Body and Blood | Mary, Mother of the living | Jn 2:1-12 |
| 38. | 808 | Christ’s Blood | The Church/Bride of Christ | n/a |
| 39. | 981 | Christ’s Blood | Keys of the Kingdom | Lk 24:47 |
| 40. | 1275 | Christ’s Blood | Christian Initiation | n/a |
| 41. | 1376 | Christ’s Blood | Transubstantiation | Mt:26-26 |
| 42. | 1381 | Christ’s Blood | Eucharist | n/a |
| 43. | 1384 | Christ’s Blood | Mass | Jn 6:51 |
| 44. | 1391 | Christ’s Blood | Holy Communion | Jn 6:56 |
| 45. | 1406 | Christ’s Blood | Eucharist | Jn 6:51 |
| 46. | 1412 | Christ’s Blood | Mass | n/a |
| 47. | 1432 | Christ’s Blood | Conversion | Ezek 36:26-27 |
| 48. | 1442 | Christ’s Blood | Reconciliation | 2 Cor 5:18 |
| 49. | 1846 | Christ’s Blood | Eucharist | Lk 15 |
| 50. | 1992 | Christ’s Blood | Atonement | Rom 3:21-26 |
| 51. | 787 | Christ’s Blood | Communion | Mk 1:16-20 |
| 52. | 994 | Christ’s Blood | Resurrection | Jn 11:25 |
| 53. | 1393 | Christ’s Blood | Holy Communion | 1 Cor 11:26 |
| 54. | 433 | Expiation/blood | Reconciliation | Rom 3:25 |
| 55. | 948 | Holy Blood of Christ | Communion of Saints | n/a |
| 56. | 781 | New Covenant/Blood | The Church/People of God | Acts 10:35 |
| 57. | 1339 | New Covenant/Blood | Eucharist | Lk 22:7-20 |
| 58. | 1365 | New Covenant/Blood | Eucharist | Lk 22:19-20 |
Blood of Christ in Spiritual Warfare
Nothing can fight off the demons and purify us from evil presences and influences like the precious blood of Jesus. If you want to help protect yourself from the diabolic, having a devotion to the precious blood of Jesus is a must. Even when dealing with just ordinary temptations, you could pray the following prayers to help avoid them.
“I cover the temptation in the precious blood of Jesus.”
“I call the blood of Jesus down on the temptation.”
Simple and effective! I learned that prayer from one of the Catholic Church’s leading experts in spiritual warfare, Fr. Chad Ripperger, who is also and exorcist.
If you want to take the devotion to the precious blood of Jesus further, try praying the Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus. I particularly like to pray this prayer on Thursday evenings as that was when Jesus first shed His blood during the Passion (Luke 22:44).
Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus
It is the blood of Christ that saves us from the evil one. Pray the Litany of the Blood of Jesus everyday for spiritual protection. We conquer our adversary, the devil, through the merits of Christ’s blood. Blood Christ of the New and Eternal Testament, save us!
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son
of the Eternal Father,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of confessors,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, pledge of Eternal Life,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,
Save us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by His blood.
Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen +
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
