The First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a cherished Catholic practice that offers profound spiritual benefits to those who faithfully observe it. This devotion, rich in history and steeped in divine promises, invites the faithful to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, focusing on His immense love and mercy. Whether you are new to this devotion or seeking to reinvigorate your faith, understanding its significance and practice can be transformative.
The First Friday Devotion is rooted in the apparitions of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun of the Visitation Order, in the late 17th century. Between 1673 and 1675, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary multiple times, revealing His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His boundless love for humanity. In these visions, Jesus expressed His desire for a greater devotion to His Sacred Heart and made several promises to those who would honor it.
One of the key aspects of this devotion is the observance of the First Friday of each month. Jesus promised special graces to those who receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive First Fridays. This practice, known as the Nine First Fridays Devotion, is central to fostering a deeper connection with the Sacred Heart.
Jesus made twelve promises to Saint Margaret Mary for those who embrace the devotion to His Sacred Heart. These promises highlight the spiritual and temporal benefits that come from a sincere dedication to this practice. Among these promises are:
To observe the First Friday Devotion, follow these steps with a heart full of faith and love:
Engaging in the First Friday Devotion is more than a ritualistic practice; it is a heartfelt journey towards the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It fosters a deeper understanding of Christ’s love and mercy, encouraging the faithful to live more compassionate and holy lives. This devotion also strengthens our resolve to make amends for our sins and the sins of others, aligning our hearts with the compassionate heart of Jesus.
The First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful way to deepen your spiritual life and experience the boundless love and mercy of Christ. By dedicating the first Friday of each month to this devotion, you open your heart to the transformative graces promised by Jesus. Whether you are seeking peace, comfort, or a more profound connection with God, this devotion offers a path to divine intimacy and spiritual growth. Embrace the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and let His love guide and transform your life.
The promise made by Our Lady to Lucia on July 13th, 1917, that there would be a future manifestation concerning the practice of the Five First Saturdays, was fulfilled on December 10th, 1925. Lucia was then a Postulant Sister in the Dorothean Convent at Tuy, Spain. On this occasion, Our Lady appeared together with the Child Jesus, Who spoke first to Lucia:
“Have compassion on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother, covered with thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment, while there is no one who does an act of reparation to withdraw them for her.”
Our Lady then addressed Lucia as follows:
“Behold, my daughter, my Heart encircled with thorns, with which ungrateful men pierce It at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Give me consolation, you, at least; and make known on my behalf that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all who on the First Saturday of five consecutive months confess their sins, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to my Immaculate Heart.”
WHY FIVE SATURDAYS?
It is sometimes asked why Our Lady asked for Communions of reparation on five first Saturdays, instead of some other number. Our Blessed Lord answered that question when He appeared to Sr. Lucia May 29, 1930. He explained that it was because of five kinds of offenses and blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, namely: blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception, against her perpetual virginity, against the divine and spiritual maternity of Mary, blasphemies involving the rejection and dishonoring of her images, and the neglect of implanting in the hearts of children a knowledge and love of this Immaculate Mother.
The spirit of reparation is a loving desire to make reparation to and console the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Our Mother. It considers the offenses which the Immaculate Heart of Mary now receives from those who reject her maternal intervention and despise her prerogatives. One should make this intention before carrying out Our Lady’s requests. A renewal of the actual intention at the time is best.