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First Saturday Devotion

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Our Lady expressed the need for reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, “which is already

much offended,” and of her Immaculate Heart. In the apparition of July 13, 1917, Our Lady

said, “I shall come to ask for…the Communion of Reparation on the first Saturdays.”  She

came expressly to request this devotion when she appeared to Sister Lucia on December 10, 1925,

in Pontevedra, Spain, where she was preparing to start her religious life.

 

The Motives for the Devotion


While Sister Lucia was in the chapel with Our Lord during part of the night of May 29-30, 1930,

He explained the motivation for the devotion. This explanation answered the question posed by

her confessor about why the number should be 5 Saturdays and not 9 to correspond to the 9 First

Fridays, or 7 to correspond with Our Lady’s 7 sorrows.

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There Are 5 Ways in Which People Offend and Blaspheme against The Immaculate Heart of Mary

1.  Offences or blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception – its denial and/or ridicule.
2. Against Her perpetual virginity – that She had relations with Joseph and had other children.
3. Against Her Divine Maternity, refusing at the same time to accept Her as Mother of all Mankind – denying that She is the Mother of God and our Mother.
4. The implantation into children’s hearts of indifference, contempt and even hate against our Immaculate Mother.
5. Insults directed against Her sacred images –displays of indifference or ridicule, and the infliction of damage to them.

 

The essential elements of the practice of the devotion of the 1st Saturday Communions of Reparation

 

With the intention of making reparation for offenses committed against The Immaculate Heart of Mary:

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  • Go to Confession.

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  • Receive Holy Communion worthily.

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  • Pray five decades of the Rosary.

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  • Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.

The Great Promise

Our Lady promised to assist all those who would practice the devotion on the first Saturday of five consecutive months with the graces necessary for salvation at the hour of their death.

 

Promise not a guarantee of heaven
It would be a serious mistake to think that those who practice the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays are guaranteed passage through the pearly gates when the moment of their death arrives.  Our cooperation with grace is always required.

 

A Life-Long Devotion, not merely five First Saturdays – a requirement of Christian Charity


The promise associated with the practice of the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays has been mistakenly construed by many to mean that, once one has completed a series of five in succession, they have accomplished the practice of the devotion – that they are finished.  This was not Our Lady’s intention in making the promise, and has resulted in a far fewer people practicing the devotion’s than are necessary to fulfill her request.  This is one reason why wars, famines and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father have increased rather than abated.

 

The essence of genuine Christian Charity


Genuine Christian Charity involves placing the good of others before ourselves.  If we practice the devotion only to the extent necessary to merit the promise for ourselves, our Christian Charity is seriously lacking. We ought to look at it this way:  For how many others can I merit the promise during the remainder of my life? Each time we complete a series of five successive First Saturdays we can ask Our Lady to apply the promise merited to a soul in need.  Just think of how many souls would become beneficiaries of our life-long practice.  This is Christian Charity in action.  And as for ourselves, can there be any doubt that, if we gift our merited promises to so many others, Our Lady will provide one for us?

 

A Centennial Gift for Our Lady


Please consider participation in the apostolate’s initiative to bring about a dramatic increase in the practice of this devotion between now and 2017. That increase will be a most pleasing gift to Our Lady. Centennial Gift Registration

 

First Saturday Devotion Resource

 

Our most complete and comprehensive which includes two booklets in one – “First Saturday Aid” and Father Andrew Apostoli’s  “Treasure of Fatima” – is Treasures Of the First Saturday Devotions.

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