The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward.

Missionary: That the particular Churches operating in regions marked by violence may be sustained by the love and concrete closeness of all the Catholics in the world. (See also www.apostleshipofprayer.net)

1. Bl. Junipero Serra (USA), Opt. Mem.
3. Thomas the Apostle, Feast
4. Elizabeth of Portugal; Independence Day (USA), Opt. Mem.
5. Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
6. Maria Goretti, Opt. Mem.
9. Augustine Zhao Rong and companions, Opt. Mem.
11. Benedict, Memorial
12. Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
13. Henry, Opt. Mem.
14. Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha (USA), Memorial
15. Bonaventure, Memorial
16. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Opt. Mem.
18. Camillus de Lellis (USA), Opt. Mem.
19. Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
20. Apollinaris, Opt. Mem.
21. Lawrence of Brindisi, Opt. Mem.
22. Mary Magdalene, Memorial
24. Sharbel (Charbel) Makhloof, Opt. Mem.
25. James, Feast
26. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday
29. Martha, Memorial
30. Peter Chrysologus, Opt. Mem.
31. Ignatius of Loyola, Memorial

The Gospel readings for the four Sundays in July are taken from St. Mark and St. John — all are from Year B, Cycle 1.

July is usually hot and a time for relaxing. It is also the time when crops planted in the Spring are maturing and growing. Just as the crops are dependent upon summer rains not only to grow but to survive so our spiritual development is dependent upon our frequenting the sacraments and receiving the Blood of Christ.

The main feasts of this month are Bl. Junipero Serra (July 1), St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3), St. Elizabeth of Portugal (July 4), St. Maria Goretti (July 6), St. Augustine Zhao Rong (July 9), St. Benedict (July 11), Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha (July 14), St. Bonaventure (July 15), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16), St. Camillus (July 18), St. Mary MagdaleneSt. Bridget (July 23), St. Sharbel (July 24), St. James (July 25), St. Irenaeus (July 28), St. Martha (July 29), St. Peter ChrysologusSt. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31). (July 22), (July 30) and

The feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26) falls on a Sunday so it is suppressed this year.

The Blood that coursed through the veins of Christ was a part of that Sacred Humanity made possible by the maternity of Mary, whose parents, St. Joachim and St. Ann are honored this month. (July 26). Our Lord's blood poured out on the Cross purchased our salvation, washed clean the robes of the martyrs, and gave birth to the Church as it flowed from his wounded side. The Precious Blood of Christ — now pulsing through his Mystical Body — continues its salvific work, preserving and purifying, repairing and providing nourishment for regeneration and renewal of its members.

July’s longer and warmer days also provide us with the opportunity for renewal, both interior and exterior. Schedules relax and pressures ease, inviting travel. But, whether we travel or not, like the missionary, Bl. Junipero Serra (July 1), we preach to others — by our conduct, our speech, even the clothes we wear. May we be modest in everything we do, imitating St. Maria Goretti, the young martyr for purity (July 6), and “preaching” Christ to everyone we meet.

The summer Readings of Ordinary Time remind us that our earthly pilgrimage is also a journey, a great adventure towards union with Christ, the Beginning and the End of our journey. Each Sunday with its Easter renewal becomes a mile marker along the way, linking where we have been with where we are going. May the Precious Blood of Jesus sustain us as we journey to our true home, with Mary and the angels as our companions on the way.