Italy was in political turmoil for the first half of the 19th century. At that time, Austria ruled over some parts of Italy, and Italian revolutionaries were trying to throw off that rule. Petty skirmishes eventually led to a declaration of war on Austria in 1848—and the Holy Father was caught in the middle.
Early in his pontificate, Blessed Pope Pius IX had extended political pardon to Italian revolutionaries who were exiled or imprisoned. His liberality, however, was greeted with demands to make further political concessions to the revolutionaries. Finally, revolutionaries attacked the pope’s rule in the Vatican State itself. Some of the pope’s ministers were even murdered.
Blessed Pope Pius IX
By 1848, Pius IX found himself besieged in his own papal palace because he refused to sanction the war on Catholic Austria. Foreign ambassadors staying with the pope helped him disguise himself and flee the Vatican. He went to Gaeta, accompanied by a superior general of the Fathers of the Precious Blood.
Inspired by the superior general, Pius IX decided to institute an official feast for the Most Precious Blood, praying for the end of the war and bloodshed in Italy.
Soon after he announced this decision—at the end of June, 1849—the war subsided. The first Sunday of July was set aside for the Most Precious Blood, and later Pope St. Pius X fixed the feast on July 1st. (In the current calendar, this feast is no longer fixed, but is a moveable votive Mass.)
Want to honor the Precious Blood this month? When you wear the Sacred Heart & Blood Crystal Bracelet, you’ll constantly be reminded of the pure and precious Blood poured out for the sins of the world. Crafted of rich crimson stones and accented with majestic gold links, this bracelet is the perfect gift for anyone devoted to the Precious Blood. Available today at The Catholic Company!
