J
jmm08
Guest
I’m still fairly ignorant, but I do regard highly both First Fridays and First Saturdays. At least I try to do my best with First Fridays. My local parish has special First Friday masses (and they also have a worship service on other Fridays).
“First Fridays” is adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“First Saturdays” is in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I generally get to “First Fridays” (only a few skips in awhile). I can’t do everything but I do what I can (I’m not yet confirmed). And it seems that some small measure of the “First Friday” promises has been given to me.
I have a hard time figuring that there is a difference. I know the promises are different, but really if either set of promises is attained it seems to be equally so wonderful.
God (including Jesus) gave Mary her Immaculate Heart. Mary (with her Spouse the Holy Spirit) gave Jesus his human and sacred heart. On the back of the Medal of the Immaculate Conception (also known as the “Miraculous Medal”) there are both hearts. Not one bigger than the other. Not one higher than the other. Mary leads us to Jesus. And at the cross Jesus tells us Mary is our Mother (as well as being the Mother of God). Mary’s heart was pierced by swords. Jesus heart pumped His Precious Blood even while He was dying on the cross.
Instead of saying I’m confused (because I don’t think I’m too confused), I think it is more accurate to say I’m overwhelmed by the riches God has provided to us. I think the ladder analogy is inaccurate because to me I think both are so much worth it. I can’t say one is harder than the other. I can’t really do either “all the particulars”, but I think Mary understands and I try to do what I can do. I’m still a sinner, but it seems that I am getting better with time. I hope I don’t get as angry when things don’t go my way.
And yet there is so much other treasure also available – dedication to Mary, service to Jesus through ministry such as (singing, playing musical instruments, being a lector, visiting elderly in nursing homes, helping RCIA or religious education. And confraternities such as the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. And religious orders, and family life (Holy Matrimony).
I know of one protestant author who makes this analogy: our life in Christ is like having won a game show where there is a limited time to shop for free and grab as much merchandise as we possibly can. In other words, there is so much treasure on the table that Mary and Jesus, the Saints, the Holy Souls, etc. To me it seems that the only wrong decision is not to do anything. The right decision is to follow your heart and the leading of Jesus, Mary or the Holy Spirit and to find what you should be doing for God with your life. And then to do the work in the Power of the Holy Spirit (in a state of grace).
“Only one life – will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.” One thing I learned as a Protestant Christian.
Even though I think I have attended one stretch of nine Fridays, I cannot say that I have fully attained anything. So I continue, at least in part because I have been given the grace to enjoy going to First Fridays. I’m usually more than a half hour early and pray or read. Then when it starts, I participate. And sing the hymns, pray and to receive the Priest’s blessing when he blesses all of us. And often to stay some afterwards to read or to pray or to walk the stations of the cross.
“First Fridays” is adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“First Saturdays” is in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I generally get to “First Fridays” (only a few skips in awhile). I can’t do everything but I do what I can (I’m not yet confirmed). And it seems that some small measure of the “First Friday” promises has been given to me.
I have a hard time figuring that there is a difference. I know the promises are different, but really if either set of promises is attained it seems to be equally so wonderful.
God (including Jesus) gave Mary her Immaculate Heart. Mary (with her Spouse the Holy Spirit) gave Jesus his human and sacred heart. On the back of the Medal of the Immaculate Conception (also known as the “Miraculous Medal”) there are both hearts. Not one bigger than the other. Not one higher than the other. Mary leads us to Jesus. And at the cross Jesus tells us Mary is our Mother (as well as being the Mother of God). Mary’s heart was pierced by swords. Jesus heart pumped His Precious Blood even while He was dying on the cross.
Instead of saying I’m confused (because I don’t think I’m too confused), I think it is more accurate to say I’m overwhelmed by the riches God has provided to us. I think the ladder analogy is inaccurate because to me I think both are so much worth it. I can’t say one is harder than the other. I can’t really do either “all the particulars”, but I think Mary understands and I try to do what I can do. I’m still a sinner, but it seems that I am getting better with time. I hope I don’t get as angry when things don’t go my way.
And yet there is so much other treasure also available – dedication to Mary, service to Jesus through ministry such as (singing, playing musical instruments, being a lector, visiting elderly in nursing homes, helping RCIA or religious education. And confraternities such as the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. And religious orders, and family life (Holy Matrimony).
I know of one protestant author who makes this analogy: our life in Christ is like having won a game show where there is a limited time to shop for free and grab as much merchandise as we possibly can. In other words, there is so much treasure on the table that Mary and Jesus, the Saints, the Holy Souls, etc. To me it seems that the only wrong decision is not to do anything. The right decision is to follow your heart and the leading of Jesus, Mary or the Holy Spirit and to find what you should be doing for God with your life. And then to do the work in the Power of the Holy Spirit (in a state of grace).
“Only one life – will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.” One thing I learned as a Protestant Christian.
Even though I think I have attended one stretch of nine Fridays, I cannot say that I have fully attained anything. So I continue, at least in part because I have been given the grace to enjoy going to First Fridays. I’m usually more than a half hour early and pray or read. Then when it starts, I participate. And sing the hymns, pray and to receive the Priest’s blessing when he blesses all of us. And often to stay some afterwards to read or to pray or to walk the stations of the cross.
, we are also invited to rejoice… that The Church - The Tree of Life , has also grown … bearing The (special) Fruit - of the First FriI-Sat devotions … twelve times a Year … and all the special graces promised with it !