Fridays and Reparation to the Sacred Heart

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I grew up in a Pre-Vatican II era when devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Nine First Fridays devotion was prevalent. We knew the story of the revelations to St. Margaret Mary from lessons taught in our Catholic parochial school and even those Catholics who did not go to Catholic schools knew of the devotion and practiced it.

It seems almost an “unintended consequence” of the liturgical effort to put more emphasis on the Mass, such that many Catholic devotions were then neglected including First Friday and First Saturday devotions and even the praying of the Rosary.

The Divine Mercy Devotion has seemed to me like a continuation in some ways of the revelation to St. Margaret Mary by Jesus, but His revelations to St. Faustiana went beyond reparation to add the importance of faith in God’s Mercy.

I try to pray both a daily Rosary and daily Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and try to make every Friday and Saturday, days of special reparation to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart of Mary. I hope you may consider making some act of Reparation today.

 

[Stillsosola]

I agree it seems the rosary and the first Friday and Saturday devotions are neglected I am just 28 and Mary thd devotions and the rosary and scapular were never mentioned in rcia the church has lost some of its beauty since Vatican 2 I wish I could have seen the church in her glory days

 

[FelicityC]

I started making the First Fridays in March, but Good Friday came, and I forgot, so I started again in May. My church has additional “First Friday” evening Masses, and I assume the devotion is mentioned, though I’ve never attended an evening one yet.

I agree the Church needs to rediscover some treasures that were thrown out with the bathwater, without, of course, reversing good and valuable progress made or stagnating where we are now. I think too much was slashed haphazardly away, inadvertently or not is beside the point.

It probably varies from diocese to another how drastic the losses are, though. In mine, the rosary, scapular, and common saint devotions seem very popular.

 

[MariaChristi]

I agree it seems the rosary and the first Friday and Saturday devotions are neglected I am just 28 and Mary thd devotions and the rosary and scapular were never mentioned in rcia the church has lost some of its beauty since Vatican 2 I wish I could have seen the church in her glory days

Dear Stillsosola,

Interesting username, you have

I was baptized as a baby and I don’t remember having a Bible until my uncle gave me one at about age 13 or so. I’ve been blessed with a love for Scripture which has increased through my life. It saddens me when Protestants do not hear the fullness of Truth concerning Mary in God’s Word, but I continue to pray as Jesus prayed in John 17, that we may all be one in Him as the Father and He are One. May the Holy Spirit bring us all into the fullness of Truth Jesus promised (cf Jn 16:13)

The Beauty of the Church continues to shine – although not as clearly or brightly as it does in her saints – those canonized and those still on the journey here on earth. I’m sorry that RCIA classes in many parishes do not give more attention to Mary but the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against her. You can yet “see by faith” the glorious Church as God describes her in His Word. Mary is the eschatological Icon of the Church! (See Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 971 and 972)

Thanks for your reply. I hope you pray your Rosary daily, pondering the Scripture as you ponder the Mysteries.

 

[MariaChristi]

I started making the First Fridays in March, but Good Friday came, and I forgot, so I started again in May. My church has additional “First Friday” evening Masses, and I assume the devotion is mentioned, though I’ve never attended an evening one yet.

I agree the Church needs to rediscover some treasures that were thrown out with the bathwater, without, of course, reversing good and valuable progress made or stagnating where we are now. I think too much was slashed haphazardly away, inadvertently or not is beside the point.

It probably varies from diocese to another how drastic the losses are, though. In mine, the rosary, scapular, and common saint devotions seem very popular.

Dear Felicity,

Thanks for your reply. I’m sure the Holy Spirit inspired Pope St. John XXIII to convene the Second Vatican Council and the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church. There was much confusion in the implementation of the documents, but the documents themselves are very beautiful. The document on the Church “Lumen Gentium” (Light to the Gentiles) includes a chapter dedicated particularly to Mary. Devotion to her was never intended to be “thrown out” nor were devotions to her or devotions to the Sacred Heart, but again, they received very little emphasis in comparison with some other concerns over the liturgy.

God is still able and will work all things unto good (cf Romans 8:28) for those who love Him and so we simply do what we can to continue being devoted to Jesus and Mary and helping others to do so. Today is Saturday and I try to make not only every First Saturday of the month a day of reparation but every Saturday. May God help us all to grow in our love of Jesus and Mary and strengthen in the whole Church a spirit of reparation for our sins and the sins of the world. Mary taught the children of Fatima to pray after each decade of the Rosary:

O my Jesus, pardon us and save us from the fires of hell. Draw all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of his Mercy.

 

[FelicityC]

MariaChristi, absolutely! I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on the V2 Council at all. I agree many of these devotions were never meant to be thrown out. But I also think certain changes made, like with indulgences, for example, were unnecessary, and some people seem to disregard a lot of things now.

But anyway, I think you’re absolutely right that God is still working through what we have, and hopefully, the devotions will be reaffirmed and widely embraced again soon. It’s wonderful that you make the Saturday reparations to Our Lady. I would like to do the First Saturdays again, too, at some point. Perhaps churches will start to incorporate that soon. I’m thinking of asking my pastor to start a “First Saturday” Mass, too.

 

[MariaChristi]

MariaChristi, absolutely! I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on the V2 Council at all. I agree many of these devotions were never meant to be thrown out. But I also think certain changes made, like with indulgences, for example, were unnecessary, and some people seem to disregard a lot of things now.

But anyway, I think you’re absolutely right that God is still working through what we have, and hopefully, the devotions will be reaffirmed and widely embraced again soon. It’s wonderful that you make the Saturday reparations to Our Lady. I would like to do the First Saturdays again, too, at some point. Perhaps churches will start to incorporate that soon. I’m thinking of asking my pastor to start a “First Saturday” Mass, too.

Dear Felicity,

Yes, do ask the pastor. If he is able to offer the Mass, that would be a beautiful beginning for many persons to increase their love and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

If it is impossible for some reason, for Mass on First Saturday, then pray your Rosary and if it is possible to gather family members or friends to pray the Rosary with you in Reparation, that would be beautiful too. Thanks again for your reply.