ORIGIN OF THE DEVOTION
The devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ is a pious devotion in the Roman Catholic Church. It is as old as the first Holy Thursday when Our Lord Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. However, the Apostolate of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ stemmed from our Lord’s conversation with Bro. Barnabas Ikenna Nwoye in a little town called Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu state Nigeria, West Africa, in 1995, where our Lord appeared in a vision to him.
“It is a call to Console and Adore,” said Bro. Barnabas” and he narrated his initial encounters with our Lord …
“On the 5th of July 1995, at about 3.00pm, the Agonizing Jesus Christ called and appealed to me in these words; “Barnabas console Me, adore my Precious Blood”. The voice was so gentle and pleading; I turned and could not see who was calling me. The voice continued, “Barnabas, console Me, adore My Precious Blood; I am the Agonizing Jesus Christ ”. He kept silent for a moment. I noticed that there was a sudden calmness and quiet in the room in which I was. It seemed to me that there was no movement of any object in the world, that one could even hear the sound of a dropped pin.
In this silent moment, I heard the voice of a choir, which sang the song of the Precious Blood and prayed in these words; “Precious Blood of Jesus Christ; save us and the whole world”. In the end, the voice said, “I bless you My son”. Immediately the whole episode passed.
On the 6th of July, 1995, I had the same encounter as the previous day. It was the same hour at 3.00pm. As I was looking at the crucifix hanging on the wall, suddenly, a cloud came down and covered it. In the cloud, appeared the Agonizing Jesus Christ hanging on the cross, bleeding. His Head was crowned with thorns. The Sacred Heart appeared at the position of His Heart, which issued Divine Rays. He kept silent for a while and then said: “Barnabas, I am Jesus Christ who died on the Cross of Calvary to save the world. I am the One Who laid my Body to be scourged that men might be free. I bore all the shame they deserved. With my Blood I purchased them, yet My people did not know Me. I am still the One, Who is suffering the agony due to their sins.
Barnabas, console Me, and adore My Precious Blood. I am the Agonizing Jesus Christ, Who loves you much; have mercy on Me, I bless you, My son”. Immediately, the whole scene passed. During these two incidents, I was unable to utter a word while they lasted, but pondered in my heart what all that could mean. On the 3rd day, that is, 7th of July 1995 and at the same hour, the Agonizing Jesus Christ appeared, with His Face bathed with Blood and calmly said “Barnabas why is it that you cannot answer My Appeal of Love?
Have mercy on Me. I am the Agonizing Jesus Christ, Who you and the world crucify every second and minute of the day with your sins. I called you to adore My Precious Blood. If you answer My Call of Love to adore My Precious Blood, I will choose you as My instrument to save you and your people, who will return to Me.
Through My Precious Blood, I will renew the face of the earth. There shall be done on earth the Will of My Father as it is done in Heaven. Your eyes will see the Reign of Peace in the World”. He kept silent for a while. It was then that I answered, ‘Agonizing Jesus Christ, I am willing to do Your Will. I love You; I love You;…”As I said these words my heart melted and I wept with a heart full of sorrow. In the end, the Agonizing Jesus Christ said; “Remain in My Peace, I bless you, My son”. Then He varnished and the episode ended..”
These requests from our Divine Master Lord Jesus Christ to Barnabas Nwoye, attracted lovers of Jesus Christ from around the world to identify with and join him to Console the Agonising Jesus Christ and Adore His Most Precious Blood in accordance with the messages, prayers and hymns given to him by our Lord.
The Apostolate of the Precious Blood is very Good, simple and Eucharistic-centered devotion to our Lord. The devotion is a call to renewal of values such as, personal sanctification, purity, sacrifice, modesty, adoration, obedience to the church among other virtues. The spirituality of the Apostolate is Trinitarian, Christological, Ecclesiastical, Marian, and Traditional, apocalyptic, and that the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the royal road that leads to eternal glory. Our Blessed Virgin Mary in a message to the missionary Barnabas Nwoye, called it the Devotion of All Devotions, or the summary of all devotions of the Passion of Her Son. Our Lord said, “This is one of the Great Devotions that I have given to the world.
Nowhere in the world will you receive a gift more valuable than what I offer you” (Message of Jesus to Barnabas given on July 29, 2000).