First Saturdays Devotion

[hoop0826]

I am intending to begin a First Saturdays Devotion starting next month God willing, under the recommendation of the parish priest that taught my Catechism class as a good sort of first extra step for a new Catholic. Has anyone else done this? I don’t want to underestimate the power of this devotion and the difficulties and temptations that will arise opposing the completion of this devotion. I also don’t really understand all that the devotion entails, but am trying to learn the best I can.

 

[DesertSister62]

hoop0826 said
I am intending to begin a First Saturdays Devotion starting next month God willing, under the recommendation of the parish priest that taught my Catechism class as a good sort of first extra step for a new Catholic. Has anyone else done this? I don’t want to underestimate the power of this devotion and the difficulties and temptations that will arise opposing the completion of this devotion. I also don’t really understand all that the devotion entails, but am trying to learn the best I can.

**I have been thinking of the same thing but the “First Saturday Devotion” is not something that you hear a lot about anymore. If your priest tells you how to go about it then share it here. I would like to join you!

DesertSister62**

 

[jchristie5]

“First Saturdays Devotion”

I recently finished this devotion and can honestly say I feel better for having completed it, both spiritually and also in respect of my conscience. It is a grace/gift which helps you to become closer to “My Lord and My God” and in these changing times, a means by which to understand Our Lady’s role in the past, present and all our future - in summary it opens doors…
On a lighter side - my “last” Saturday Devotion left me with an unexpected 5 mile walk home in the dark and in the rain - leaving one time to “ponder”.
I guess there was a message for me personally there!
God Bless.
J.
God protect and bless Pope Benedict and my Bishop Michael.

 

[DesertSister62]

jchristie5 said:
On a lighter side - my “last” Saturday Devotion left me with an unexpected 5 mile walk home in the dark and in the rain - leaving one time to “ponder”.
I guess there was a message for me personally there!
God Bless.
J.

*That doesn’t sound like its on the lighter side to me! Just thinking about a five mile walk home in the rain doesn’t paint a very good picture to me!

DesertSister62*

 

[jchristie5]

DesertSister62 said:
That doesn’t sound like its on the lighter side to me! Just thinking about a five mile walk home in the rain doesn’t paint a very good picture to me!

Walking is part of life over here in “Alba”. But I choose to “offer it up” this helps with every little effort done in Our Lord’s name no matter how small.
God Bless.
J.

 

[hoop0826]

I have been thinking of the same thing but the “First Saturday Devotion” is not something that you hear a lot about anymore. If your priest tells you how to go about it then share it here. I would like to join you!

DesertSister62

I found out that it only needs to be completed once to get the blessing, but after doing it you want to keep going - this from my Confirmation sponsor. Also, there is no registration or sign-up required ( I was expecting there may be some sort of formal accountability process), at least not at the chapel I attend, just go. I am preparing to go to Confession, receive Communion, praying the Rosary, and meditation - with the intention of offering them all for reperation for sins against the Immaculate Heart. This second part I only read about on the internet, so I am hoping to get the full scoop this Saturday. I will update as I learn more.

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

Folks, today is the day - First Saturday of the month.

The first Saturdays of reparation are for the good of the Universal Church, and for sinners everywhere (I mean, including people who may not be Catholic, or may not be Christian). When we make reparation for offenses committed against Mary’s Immaculate Heart, she rewards us with abundant graces in return for our own small sacrifices. Graces that include the conversion of Russia and I’m sure the conversion of other nations affected by Russia’s errors (Communism, atheism, Marxism), and graces necessary for a happy death and eternal salvation, on the hour of our own death. Mary is a good mother. Those of us who have been blessed with good earthly mothers, know what I mean. We simply can’t give her more than she will give to us. Even when she requests something from us, seemingly for herself, her request is for our own good, and the more obedient children we are, the more graces and blessings she can secure for us from Heaven. That’s what mothers do, and that’s what our Heavenly Mother does for us.

The First Saturdays are a prime example of the community aspect of the Church, and of the Communion of the Saints. We pray and make reparation for the offenses committed not only by ourselves, but also by others. And the greatest saint of all saints, Our Lady, intercedes for us and obtains graces for us (us, as in whole humanity, including even the non-believers), graces of conversion for this world (conversion of Russia) and of eternal salvation for the one who participates in five First Saturdays of Reparation.

Here’s a good article written by Fr. Robert J. Fox, on the Fatima Family Apostolate website. It explains the spiritual aspects of this devotion.

fatimafamily.org/index.php?main_page=page_5

Here are some quotes, but please click the link above for the full article.

quote:

First Saturday Devotion

For centuries, in the spiritual life of the Church, Saturdays have been a special day to honor the Mother of God. Votive Masses in honor of Our Blessed Mother are frequently offered on Saturdays if no special liturgical feast of the Church prevents it. When Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima requested the First Saturday devotions, in choosing this day, Our Mother was simply respecting what was already a tradition in the Church. Invoking the Mother of God by honoring her and invoking her protection in a special way on First Saturdays predates Fatima.

It is important that Catholics appreciate the importance and spiritual power of the four acts of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on First Saturdays. In this article we shall see that doubtlessly sufficient numbers participated in the First Saturdays of reparation to enable Pope John Paul II to be able, after more than five decades, to conduct the Collegial Consecration with the Bishops of the World. This was needed to halt persecutions of people and the Church, disturbances to the faith stemming from “the errors of Russia, etc. What was requested of the Pope and bishops has been accomplished. They have done what Our Lady requested of them.

…

After beautiful instructions on the liturgy the Second Vatican Council said: “The sacred liturgy does not exhaust the entire activity of the Church. Before men can come to the liturgy they must be called to faith and to conversion.” This is exactly what the Mother of the Church did at Fatima.

Fatima is for faith and for conversion of sinners as emphasized in the total message of Fatima which was given for the entire world. The golden ball at Our Lady’s waist symbolized a message for the world. Our sacrifices of reparation on First Saturdays will aid in conversions and bringing souls to union with Jesus Christ and also help restore Christian Unity.

Angel of the Eucharist Appeared First

The Angel of the Holy Eucharist appeared in 1916 to the three Fatima children. It was the year before the six apparitions of the Mother of God. The angel’s message was for faith and conversion. It required sacrifice and Eucharistic reparation.

Then the Mother of God, appeared for the first time on May 13, 1917 which was the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Eucharist. Our heavenly Mother also called for faith, conversion and union with her divine Incarnate Son through the Sacraments. In her first appearance she led the children to the Blessed Trinity through the Holy Eucharist. The present and past Bishops of Fatima said that the relevancy of Fatima extends into the Third Millennium. Pope John Paul II said, “Fatima is more relevant today than ever.”

…

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

quote - continued

…

First Saturdays important for the Universal Church

The Mother of God revealed to Lucia, one of the three little shepherds of Fatima, on December 10, 1925, when she was still a Dorothean Religious in Pontevedra, that she would intercede for a happy death for all those who made at least five first Saturdays. We shall see that Our Lady did not restrict her request to “five” First Saturdays. Also they do not concern only the promise to intercede for our personal desire to die in the state of grace. The request for First Saturday acts of reparation has as its ultimate purpose reparation concerns for the whole Church.

The Vicar of Christ, Pope John Paul II, manifested the importance he attached to First Saturdays when on March 3, 1979 he began the practice of reciting the Rosary on the Vatican Radio for the First Saturday of every month.

Our Lady used these words regarding the First Saturdays: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Confession and receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for a quarter of an our while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

We should study this promise of Our Lady in the context of the fuller message of Fatima, just as we should interpret words of Sacred Scripture, not in isolation, but as part of the whole of the Bible.

Bishop Alberto Amaral, while administrator of Leiria-Fatima said: “Fatima is Trinitarian, Christological, Ecclesial, Contemplative and Marian.” This means our main concern should be far greater than looking out simply for our own salvation. We have already noted that the day Our Lady chose for special reparation was First Saturday which was already in harmony with an ancient practice of the Church. The Holy Spirit lives and works in the Church. And Fatima was an explosion of the supernatural.

Saturday Masses have long been offered in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a case of earthly liturgy being a foretaste of heavenly liturgy. What we do on earth in the Church prepares us for the eternal liturgy which shall be ours in heaven. Our Lady attached the promise of intercession for eternal life for each individual who sincerely made at least five consecutive First Saturdays. But such was never the primary purpose for heaven’s request for First Saturdays of reparation. The message of Our Lady of Fatima is directed to the whole Church. Our purpose in this article is also to demonstrate that First Saturdays are not intended as magical or any short cut to heaven.

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

quote - continued

…

“Have pity on the Heart of your Mother”

Immediately before giving the promise of intercession for us at the hour of death with graces necessary for salvation, Our Mother revealed her sorrowful Heart. Whereas at Lourdes Our Lady smiled frequently she smiled but once at Fatima when she told the children, “God is pleased with your sacrifices.” At Fatima Our Lady appeared sorrowful but pleasant.

It is to be noted that the Child Jesus was by Mary’s side on December 10, 1925 when she revealed her sorrowful Heart and asked for First Saturdays. This brings out Mary’s role as our Mother for it was that same Child who as the universal Savior died on the Cross as Man with His Mother beneath the Cross and said, “Behold your Mother.” Jesus wants us to always look to Mary as our Mother too.

Both Mother and Child were “elevated on a cloud of light.” Then Mary reveals the profound intimacy as Mother she desires with each one by resting one of her hands on Lucia’s shoulder, “while in the other hand she held a Heart surrounded with sharp thorns.” At the same time the Child Jesus spoke:

“Have pity on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother. It is covered with the thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to remove them with an act of reparation.”

Then Our Lady said to Lucia:

“My daughter, look at my Heart surrounded with the thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me. …”

It was at that moment Our Mother asked for at least five First Saturdays to assure a happy death.

Convent Chapel of Sisters of St. Dorothy in Pontevedra, Spain where Sister Lucia had vision as indicated on the cover of this issue. Editor is kneeling at spot where Sister Lucia was kneeling at the time of the apparition of the Blessed Trinity which called for the Collegial Consecration of Russia.

Why Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

Why reparation to Mary? Mary asks that the First Saturdays be in reparation to her? Is not reparation due only to God? Primarily yes, but not only. Every sin is social we are taught by the Church and Scripture itself. The entire Mystical Body, the Church, suffers from the sin of its members. When people sin it is against the Head and the members. “God has tempered the body together …that there might be no schism in the body; but the members might be mutually careful one for another. And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member. 1 Cor. 12:25-27

Jesus is the Head of the Mystical Body and Mary is the Mother. We are the members. The Hearts of Jesus and Mary are inseparable. Since all the members suffer from one sinful member, the Head and Mother suffer most. If sin causes all the members to suffer, how much more Mary suffers when her children sin. Mary was conceived without sin, full of grace. She is our Mother in the order of grace. Thus the most Holy One after Jesus feels pain in her Heart at the sight of sin. She is concerned about the salvation of all the members.

In the temple at the presentation Simeon taking the Child into his arms foretold about the sufferings of the Mother of the Child Jesus. “And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed” (Luke 2:35). Who pierced the Heart of Mary but we sinners? Do we not owe her the reparation she requested in asking for the First Saturdays? The sword that pierced the Heart of Jesus pierced her sinless Heart as well.

While sin causes the entire Church to suffer, Jesus and Mary in particular, we should remember that our reparation acts of prayer and the Sacraments associated with the First Saturdays helps the glory of entire Church. The members are to “… be mutually careful one for one another … if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members of member.’ (1 Cor. 12:25-27). This means making the First Saturdays strengthens all the members of the universal Church, not simply oneself.

 

[Luke_K]

This is a post I made back in March:

I completed the first 5 saturdays devotion last week and I loved it! An explanation of it can be found here: marysprayersrosaries.com/first-saturdays.asp Particularly when I was meditating for 15 minutes I really felt like I was “keeping Mary company” as she asked us to do. It was very spiritually fruitful for me, and focusing on the blasphemies for which I was making reparations increased my understanding and appreciation of the Blessed Mother. It made me understand how much God loved this woman to make her his mother, and our mother as well (John 19:25-27).

When we hurt Jesus, we hurt his mother as well. When we hurt and blaspheme Jesus’ mother, we hurt him, too. The Immaculate and Sacred hearts are so intimately united that we should all make reparations for offenses against Mary to alleviate Jesus’ sorrowful passion. I’m sure it hurts Jesus immensely to see his servants hurting his Mom so much.

I highly recommend this devotion, both for spiritual growth and out of love for Jesus and Mary.

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

This is a post I made back in March:

I completed the first 5 saturdays devotion last week and I loved it!

But Satan had a bad day then, I’m sure!

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

Here’s a brief description:

theworkofgod.org/Devotns/1stsatrd.htm

First Saturday Devotion to Our Lady

This is a devotion of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, done to honour Our Lady’s sorrows as suggested by Our Lord in an apparition to Sister Lucia a visionary from Fatima in 1925 and as requested by Our Lady.

Background

The First Saturday Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was first mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. After showing the three children a vision of hell she said, “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace… I shall come to ask for… the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays…”

Eight years later, on December 10, 1925, Mary and the Child Jesus appeared to Lucia, (already postulant at that time in the Dorothean house at Pontevedra, Spain) the only surviving Fatima visionary. Our Lady rested her hand on Lucia’s shoulder, revealing a heart encircled by thorns.

The Child Jesus said: “Have compassion on the heart of your most holy Mother, covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation…”

Our Lady’s conditions for this devotion

Our Lady spoke next, saying: “Look, my daughter, at my heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

Why Five Saturdays?

Christians have always honored the Blessed Virgin on Saturday because of her constant faith in Jesus on that first Holy Saturday before the Resurrection.

Five first Saturdays of reparation were requested to atone for the five ways in which people offend the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1.attacks upon Mary’s Immaculate Conception
2.attacks against her Perpetual Virginity
3.attacks upon her Divine Maternity and the refusal to accept her as the Mother of all mankind
4.for those who try to publicly implant in children’s hearts indifference, comtempt and even hatred of this Immaculate Mother
5.for those who insult her directly in her sacred images.

Letter of Sister Lucia explaining this devotion:

1 November, 1927, letter to Dona Maria de Miranda, her godmother,
Sister Lucia wrote:

"I don’t know if you already know about the reparatory devotion of the five Saturdays to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As it is still recent, I would like to inspire you to practice it, because it is requested by Our dear Heavenly Mother and Jesus has manifested a desire that it be practiced. Also, it seems to me that you would be fortunate, dear godmother, not only to know it and to give Jesus the consolation of practicing it, but also to make it known and embraced by many other persons.

"It consists in this: During five months on the first Saturday, to receive Jesus in Communion, recite a Rosary, keep Our Lady company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, and make a confession. The confession can be made a few days earlier, and if in this previous confession you have forgotten the (required) intention the following intention can be offered, provided that on the first Saturday one receives Holy Communion in a state of grace, with the intention of repairing for offenses against the Most Holy Virgin and which afflict Her Immaculate Heart.

“It seems to me, my dear godmother, that we are fortunate to be able to give Our dear Heavenly Mother this proof of love, for we know that She desires it to be offered to Her. As for myself, I avow that I am never so happy as when first Saturday arrives. Isn’t it true that our greatest happiness is to belong entirely to Jesus and Mary and to love Them and Them alone, without reserve? We see this so clearly in the lives of the saints…They were happy because they loved, and we, my dear godmother, we must seek to love as they did, not only to enjoy Jesus, which is the least important – because if we do not enjoy Him here below, we will enjoy Him up above – but to give Jesus and Mary the consolation for being loved…and that in exchange for this love they might be able to save many souls.”

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

I have been thinking of the same thing but the “First Saturday Devotion” is not something that you hear a lot about anymore.

Russia has made great strides towards conversion away from atheism, thanks God! But I still hope there’s more to it. I hope Russia will become Catholic some day.

And then, here’s still Cuba, China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos - communist countries where Russia’s errors persist.

Let’s add Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Honduras and … gulp… the USA where marxism/communism/atheism has an influence on some political leaders.

There’s plenty of reason to keep praying.

 

[Student09]

I’ve been doing it, this is my third Saturday. My parish promotes it, with a special Mass and Confessions on First Saturdays and a group rosary. I haven’t encountered any difficulties specifically regarding this devotion, at least none that I’m aware of. Sorry to disappoint.

Anyway, as far as I understand it, on each First Saturday of the month:

-Receive Communion
-Pray five decades of the rosary
-Go to confession (a week before or after is fine)
-meditate for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary (anywhere from one to all of them)

with the intention of making reparation to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. You can also continue the devotion after five Saturdays, you don’t have to stop at five.

 

[hoop0826]

Thanks for all the help.
I am on the third First Saturday coming up on January 1. The last First Saturday Mass was really something - Rorate candlelight Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother.

I have also started building this web site to help in the devotion which I would like to share.

wix.com/hoop0826/firstsaturdays

 

[houston1]

I have completed the devotion as well and I highly recommend it! Our Mother Mary interceded for me to help me overcome an addiction that I had to alcohol. She has helped me become moderate in my drinking. Praise God! She will also help you overcome sin. She intercedes for us to get us ready for heaven.

 

[hoop0826]

Well, to take a step back, I couldn’t get to confession on the second month saturday - and had a sin that I didn’t want to take communion without confessing first - so they both were put off until the Wednesday - Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Hopefully the Blessed Mother will see my intentions!

The Third First Saturday happened to fall on the Feast of the Circumcision.
The Fifth First Saturday - as it now stands if I make it, will fall on the Dedication my parish’s new church building. The Dedication has been long awaited for the parishoners here so it is a big deal, and I am taking this as affirmation that Our Lady wants me to complete this devotion.

 

[hoop0826]

Just to update this journey, at the 4th First Saturday, the Bishop of the Diocese visited my parish, which I thought was a great grace added to this devotion as I jouney toward the 5th First Saturday which , God willing, will be completed the first weekend in March - also the date of the blessing of our new chapel building, when again the the Bishop and other visiting clergy are planning to be present.
I am praying for its completion, and especially for a good examination of concsience and Confession, and for all who are undertaking this devotion.

God Bless.

 

[Joseph_L_Varga]

It’s a first Saturday today.

 

[hoop0826]

Thank you, and I did make the First Saturday Devotion for this day. It was really grace -filled as it was the day of the dedication of our new chapel which has been built for the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. Also, I made April’s First Saturday as I became enrolled in the Association of Mary Queen of All Hearts soon thereafter. I am now journeying toward May’s First Saturday for repartation to the Immaculate Heart.