What's a "First Friday" Mass?

[Karl_M]

Hello,

What is the signifigance of a First Friday Mass? I always see the special notation in our bulletin for that particular Mass.

My mother only remembers going to Mass very early (I think 7am) on the first Friday of every month and being allowed to go to school late with all the other Catholic kids. But she doesn’t quite remember what it was all about.

Thanks.

 

[DallasCatholic]

Hello,

What is the signifigance of a First Friday Mass? I always see the special notation in our bulletin for that particular Mass.

My mother only remembers going to Mass very early (I think 7am) on the first Friday of every month and being allowed to go to school late with all the other Catholic kids. But she doesn’t quite remember what it was all about.

Thanks.

First Friday is a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A quick google search on “First Friday Devotion” turned up the following link:
catholicexchange.com/en/node/68696

hth

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: “171. Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are numerous. Some have been explicitly approved and frequently recommended by the Apostolic See. Among these, mention should be made of the following: …
the pious practice of the nine first Fridays of the month which derives from the “great promises” made by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary. At a time when sacramental communion was very rare among the faithful, the first Friday devotion contributed significantly to a renewed use of the Sacraments of Penance and of the Holy Eucharist. In our own times, the devotion to the first Fridays, even if practised correctly, may not always lead to the desired spiritual fruits. Hence, the faithful require constant instruction so that any reduction of the practice to mere credulity, is avoided and an active faith encouraged so that the faithful may undertake their commitment to the Gospel correctly in their lives. They should also be reminded of the absolute preeminence of Sunday, the “primordial feast” (footnote 188: Sacrosanctum Concilium, 106), which should be marked by the full participation of the faithful at the celebration of the Holy Mass.”

(The internet version at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html does not have “nine first Fridays of the month” just “first Fridays of the month”. But my printed copy has the “nine”.)