1 July – Feast of the Precious Blood

Come, let us adore Christ the Son of God, who redeemed us by his blood.

“In the world innocent human blood is continually being spilt. The hearts of men are often full of hate rather than evangelical love, they often contain disdain and arrogance rather than care for mankind. I ask you to pray that modern humanity may experience the power of the Blood of Christ, spilt on the Cross for our salvation.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

PRAYER

Lord our God, the precious blood of your Son has redeemed us. Watch over the gifts your love has given us. Keep before our eyes the mystery of Christ that we may reap its harvest in all its richness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. VINCENT STRAMBI, PASSIONIST

From the resources of the divine blood come remission of sins, victory over temptations, power over hell and the grace to love God until death. In this blood, sinners find the will to undergo conversion and the just find strength to persevere. The blood feeds the zeal of apostles and sustains the courage of martyrs. (From the book The Month Sanctified by St. Vincent Strambi, C.P.)

FROM THE ROMAN MISSAL

May the blood of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

During the month of July

6th July – Feast of St. Maria Goretti

9th July – Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Holy Hope

14th July – Ordination Anniversary of Anthony Daneo, brother of St. Paul of the Cross and Ven. John Baptist

16th July – Anniversary of the establishment of the Retreat of St. Joseph on Monte Argentario, Italy

24th July – Feast of Blessed Niceforo Diez Tejerina and the Passionist Martyrs of Daimiel, Spain

Passionist Province of the Holy Spirit

Today, Pentecost Sunday, is the feast of the Passionist Province of the Holy Spirit – Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.

“Dear brethren, we have now begun our Pentecost Vigil, after the example of the Apostles and disciples, who with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevered in prayer, awaiting the Spirit promised by the Lord; like them, let us, too, listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. Let us meditate on how many great deeds God in times past did for his people and let us pray that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father send as the fist fruits for those who believe, may bring to perfection his work in the world.” [Vigil Mass, Pentecost Sunday, The Roman Missal.]

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The Holy Spirit bothers us
because the Holy Spirit urges us to walk forward
Often we want the Holy Spirit to go to sleep
we want to domesticate the Holy Spirit
This will never work
because the Holy Spirit is God
The Holy Spirit is that wind that comes and goes
without us knowing from where
The Holy Spirit is the force and power of God
that gives us the strength to move on
To try to domesticate the Holy Spirit
is being foolish and slow to heart
To try to calm down the Holy Spirit is wrong
Do not resist the Holy Spirit
This is the grace that I wish for each of us
May the Holy Spirit continue to annoy us
May the Holy Spirit continue to upset us

(Pope Francis)