Apr. 3 - First Friday - Reparation to the Sacred Heart

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How fitting that on this Friday and Saturday preceding “Passion Sunday”, the Church reminds us of two special devotions: Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on the First Friday of the Month and Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the First Saturday of the Month!

Today, for anyone who may be unfamiliar with this devotion, let me share some background:

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is of great antiquity in the Church. It was St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, however, who made this devotion widespread. In 1675, within the octave of the feast of Corpus Christi, our Lord appeared to her and said: "Behold this heart which, not withstanding the burning love for men with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return from most Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indifference and ingratitude, even in the sacrament of my love [the Eucharist]. But what pierces My heart most deeply is that I am subjected to these insults by persons especially consecrated to My service."

To those who show him love and who make reparation for sins, however, our Lord made a great pledge: “I promise you in the unfathomable mercy of My heart that my omnipotent love will procure the grace of final penitence for all those who receive communion on nine successive first Fridays of the month; they will not die in My disfavor, or without having received the sacraments, since My divine heart will be their sure refuge in the last moments of their life.”

The great promise of the Sacred Heart is most consoling: the grace of final perseverance and the joy of having Jesus’ heart as our sure refuge and infinite ocean of mercy in our last hour.

To gain this grace, we must:

• Receive holy Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays.
• Have the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of reaching final perseverance.
• Offer each holy Communion as an act of atonement for offenses against the Blessed Sacrament. … For more, see HERE

We have been consecrated by our Baptism and so Jesus’ words to St. Margaret Mary can be heard not only by persons consecrated to Him in their vocations as Priests or as Brothers and Sisters in Religious Orders or have consecrated themselves as Lay persons. St. Margaret Mary was a Religious sister, but the Church in her wisdom has promoted this devotion for all. As we prepare for Passion Sunday and Holy Week let us pray in a special way today in Reparation for our sins and the sins of the whole world. Jesus has loved us so much, and we have given so little in return!

God willing, tomorrow, First Saturday, I hope to post on Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

May the Heart of Jesus be praised adored and loved in the tabernacle of every heart. Immaculate Heart of Mary intercede for us.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Cath and Stephie,

Thank you both for your “faith-full and loving hearts”. The First Friday and First Saturday Devotions were beginning to decline after Vatican II it seems to me, as an “unintended consequence”. Pope St. John XXIII call this Council in an attempt to “Renew the Church” – and that is always a good thing because the Church is always in need of renewal.

However, Devotions like First Friday and First Saturday seemed to be less and less attended and even the attendance at Sunday Mass began to decline. Pope Francis has spoken out several times about the Catholic Church becoming “worldly” and I beieve he is correct in that observation.

Not ALL Catholics, of course, are worldly but it causes sadness nevertheless to see many of every age having less devotion to God Who has given Himself to us so unselfishly – “Emptying” Himself as St. Paul wrote in Philippians 2: 1-9. Let us strive to do whatever we can to share with Catholics and non Catholics alike by our example – and when prompted by the Holy Spirit – with our words to all Christians, especially Catholics, and non Christians alike our devotion to Jesus and Mary.

 

[StephieNorthCo]

Silver lining on the clouds. There are more and more reports that in this time of inavailability of public Mass, more people are attending various on-line streaming Masses than attended in person. I think we are being given additional graces, and some who were indifferent or fallen away are responding to those graces.

God bless,
Stephie

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks so much for your reply and for your prayers, Stephie!

Certainly, God’s Grace is never lacking, and I hope this Pandemic will wake people up to the reality of all we “owe” to God Who Created and Redeemed us and to His Mother who remains faithfully interceding for ALL her children – even those who do not yet know or love her or her Son.

Let us continue to pray that this will be a time for genuine conversion in all the world by Gods Grace – Let us pray as Jesus taught us to pray; and let us trust in His Mercy.

May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment in all the tabernacles of the world – even to the end of time. Since many of our Churches and chapels are closed due to the virus, let us adore Him in the Tabernacles of our hearts.

 

[Limoncello4021]

I have practiced the First Friday and First Saturday devotions since I was a child, and today is the first First Friday in decades that I can not receive Communion. It really made me sad today. But, I participated in live streaming Mass and am headed for Adoration now for the three o’clock hour. Thanks to God our Church is still open daily for Adoration.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Limoncello,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I too began the First Friday and First Saturday Devotions as a child. Still I believe God has permitted this Covid-19 and although it is causing many of us suffering and sadness, I believe that God is true to His Word:

God works all things unto good for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose. (Rom 8:28)

We cannot always “see” His Working Good in ourselves and/or in others, but we can by God’s Grace “see by Faith” and be strengthened in Hope by His Infinite Love for us. How Good He is to leave your Church open for Adoration! How Good He is to provide Live-streamed Mass for many of us and encouragement to make fervent “Spiritual Communions”! How Good He is inspiring so many to help the sick and comfort families!

This time can be a great opportunity for us to grow spiritually! I pray that we will adore Jesus in the Tabernacles of our hearts, praying fervently with more attention and devotion than ever before in our lives – interceding with Jesus through Mary for all those in most need of God’s Mercy. Thanks again for your reply and your love for the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.