First Saturday Devotion

In the Catholic Church Saturdays traditionally are dedicated to the devotion to Our Lady. The First Saturday Devotion comes from the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. On July 13^th, 1917 Our Lady told the children in Fatima: “I shall come to ask for Communion of Reparation on the first Saturdays”. Later Sister Lucia, one of the children to whom Our Lady appeared, explained the motivation for the devotion. The number of five refers to the five ways that people offend and blaspheme the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1.  Offences or blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception – its denial and/or ridicule.
2. Against her perpetual virginity.
3. Against her divine maternity, refusing to accept her as the Mother of God and mother of all mankind.
4. Those who implant in children’s hearts, indifference, contempt and even hate against our Immaculate Mother.
5. Insults directed against her sacred images –displays of indifference or ridicule, and the infliction of damage to them.

The essential elements of the practice of First Saturday Communions of Reparation

With the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart for these five offenses, we are asked to:
1. Go to confession.

2. Receive Holy Communion worthily
3. Pray five decades of the Rosary.
4. Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.

The Great Promise

Our Lady promised to assist all those who will practice the devotion of the first Saturday on five consecutive months with the graces necessary for salvation at the hour of their death.

Promise not a guarantee of heaven

It would be a serious mistake to think that those who practice the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays are guaranteed passage into heaven when the moment of their death arrives. Our cooperation with grace is always required.

A life-long devotion, not merely five First Saturdays

The promise associated with the practice of the devotion on five consecutive First Saturdays has been mistakenly construed by many to mean that, once one has completed a series of five, they have accomplished the devotion and are finished.  This was not Our Lady’s intention in making the promise, and has resulted in far fewer people practicing the devotion. Our regular practice of the First Saturdays is a sign of our devotion to the Immaculate Heart and a desire on our part to make reparation for the blasphemies against her.