The O Blood and Water prayer is a short invocation from the Divine Mercy devotion. It originates from the 1930s revelations of Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska, recorded in her Diary. This prayer is a profound expression of trust in the mercy of God which flows from the pierced Heart of Jesus for the salvation of all.
This prayer comes directly from the private revelations recorded in the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, specifically entry 84. The devotion was strongly promoted by Pope St. John Paul II, who canonized St. Faustina in 2000. The imagery of the pierced heart is deeply scriptural, reflecting the source of the Church's sacramental life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, "pierced by our sins and for our salvation" (CCC 478), as the source of this mercy.
Theologically, the "Blood and Water" are symbols of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism. As described in the Gospel of John (19:34), these elements flowed from the pierced side of Christ on the cross. Reciting this prayer is an act of faith in the saving power of Christ's Passion. It acknowledges that all grace and mercy pour forth from this divine fountain, and it places the soul in a posture of complete trust in God's merciful love for humanity.
This invocation is most famously prayed at 3:00 PM, the Hour of Great Mercy, commemorating Jesus' death on the cross. It is also the opening prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It is particularly appropriate to pray on Divine Mercy Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter. Believers also use this short prayer throughout the day in moments of temptation, distress, or gratitude to quickly and intentionally place their trust in God's mercy.
15-Second Preview
Free
0 min 15 sec audio
Sign in to save prayers to your library and download audio
Ave Audio