28,430 Drops: Devotions for the Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus

Do we meditate on the Precious Blood of Jesus? Bonnie Drury believes it’s a way to enrich our faith.

The Church devotes the month of July to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. We celebrate the traditional feast on July 1st. This devotion is one of the oldest in the Church. According to tradition, our Blessed Mother first adored her Son’s precious blood when He was circumcised. His blood is seen as a source of grace, healing, and redemption, and represents the new covenant between God and man.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

28,430 Drops

When I read that Jesus lost 28,430 drops of blood during His Passion, this number had a profound effect on me, bringing home the totality of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.

The reason many Catholic writers accept the amount of blood lost as 28,430 drops is because it makes sense that He shed all His precious blood for us. Most men died during the Roman scourging at the pillar because of the loss of blood. The shedding of Jesus’ blood is proof of the value He places on us.

There’s a poignant scene in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ when Mary asks for thick cloths to absorb all the blood Jesus lost at the pillar. No one knows if this is historically correct, but it gives a vivid visual as to how His Mother felt about her Son’s Precious Blood.

When Jesus’ side and heart were pierced by the soldier’s lance (John 19:34), blood and water flowed out, as mercy for the whole world. The gift of His Mercy is nearly incomprehensible, as undeserving as we are. But He shed it willingly.

The Eucharist

We encounter Our Lord’s Blood in the Eucharist. When Jesus established this Sacrament during the Last Supper, He perpetuated His sacrifice on the Cross so that every time we receive Communion, we also receive Him and His graces.

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28)

I’m always amazed at how kind and loving and patient Jesus was at the Last Supper, even knowing what was to come.

Eucharistic Miracle

One significant Eucharistic miracle involves an 8th-century monk who lived in Lanciano, Italy. He doubted the Real Presence until he witnessed the bread and wind transform into actual flesh and blood during the Mass.

Twentieth-century scientists conducted studies that revealed the blood type to be AB. This same blood type has been found in other Eucharistic miracles.

Devotions

The month of July (or anytime) is a good opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ life-giving blood. It can be our mantle against the world and its negativity.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a popular devotion that centers around the Precious Blood shed for us. “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the heart of Jesus as a source of mercy for us, I trust in you.”

The Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood is another way to show true devotion to Our Lord’s Precious Blood. These prayers give us a deeper understanding of redemption and a call to holiness. Among other promises connected to this devotion, Jesus promised that those who make a Novena with this Chaplet will have their prayers answered.

The Litany of the Most Precious Blood follows the history of salvation through Scripture references.

No matter which devotion we choose, it’s important to acknowledge Our Savior’s sacrifice throughout our Christian life. Time spent in prayer and meditation on His Blood can help us to attain the holiness and peace we seek.

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for Your sacrifice and for Your eternal love. Amen.

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Copyright 2026 Bonnie Drury
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