First Friday Devotion
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The First Friday Devotion is based on the private revelation of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647–1690), a French Visitation nun and mystic, who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in its modern form. While in the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial in central France, St. Margaret Mary received several private revelations of the Sacred Heart, the first in 1673.
In his 1928 encyclical on the Sacred Heart, Miserentissimus Redemptor, Pope Pius XI affirmed the Church’s position regarding the credibility of St. Margaret Mary’s visions of Christ by speaking of Jesus as having “manifested Himself” and having “promised her that all those who rendered this honor to His Heart would be endowed with an abundance of heavenly graces.” The great promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary states, “In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise you that my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.” Jesus made this magnificent promise to Saint Margaret Mary for these reasons: (1) To show how important in his eyes is devotion to his Sacred Heart; (2) To encourage us to practice it, especially by receiving Holy Communion in a spirit of reparation, particularly on Friday, the day he died for us; (3) To reassure those who are striving for virtue but who are sometimes worried about their salvation; and (4) To encourage sinners to return to him, lest they fall into despair. The conditions of the Nine First Fridays Promise are (1) Holy Communion must be on the First Friday; (2) The nine First Fridays must be consecutive; (3) There must be the intention of making the nine First Fridays; and (4) The Holy Communions must be Communions of Reparation. In order to practice the First Friday Devotion, it is suggested to assist at Holy Mass if your duties and state in life permit. You should receive Holy Communion with great love to make up for those who do not receive him and who do not love the Sacred Heart and who wound him by sinful lives. You should offer and spend the day in loving reparation to the Heart of Jesus. Be kind to all with whom you associate. Do everything out of love for Jesus. Try to visit Jesus during the day if possible. He is waiting for your visit. A Holy Hour or an hour of Night Adoration in the home on the eve would be a generous act of love. |
MORNING:
Recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 AM Holy Mass at 8:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration from 8:30 to 9:30 AM Confessions from 8:30 to 9:30 AM Chaplet of Divine Mercy at ≈ 8:35 AM EVENING: Eucharistic Adoration from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Confessions from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Hospitality at 7:30 PM (usually) Come and join us! 
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