The First Saturday Devotion is a special request made by Our Lady of Fatima to Lucia in Pontevedra, Spain.
Our Lady said to her: “Look, my daughter, at my Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”
You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.
What Does Mary Ask for on the First Saturdays of the Month?
- Confession: sacramental confession can be received within eight days before or after receiving Communion, as long as the communicant is in a state of grace for Communion.
- Communion: receiving Communion does not need to be part of a Mass.
- Praying the Rosary.
- Meditating for fifteen minutes on the fifteen mysteries of the rosary: this should be done in addition to the time spent praying the rosary.
This Five First Saturday Devotion invites Catholics to step forward and make an act of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for our sins and those of the whole world, for there is much evil in the world.
Confession
In a world where some Catholics question its relevance and where the notion of direct forgiveness from God prevails, there is an invaluable gift that Jesus has given us. This sacrament not only repairs our relationship with the Divine but also promotes unity within the Body of Christ, the Church.
At the heart of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the personal recognition of sin as a barrier between oneself and God. This recognition is not a condemnation, but a path to forgiveness. The sacrament provides a structured and tangible way for Catholics to express repentance, seek forgiveness, and receive guidance for spiritual growth. It is a powerful encounter with God’s mercy and love, a reminder that no sin is beyond redemption.
Here you can read more about the Sacrament of Confession.
Communion
The Holy Eucharist is the most important sacrament because through it we receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. Many Graces come to us when we receive Communion, as it is an intimate encounter with Christ in which we receive Him into our bodies, so that we may be more fully assimilated into Him.
Just as our bodies need food, our souls also require spiritual nourishment. Attending Mass provides us with the Body and Blood of Christ, the Word of God, and His teaching and guidance that equip us to face the challenges of our daily lives.
The Holy Mass is where we truly encounter Christ alive present in the Eucharist. As Saint John Paul II said, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life”. Through the Eucharist, we participate in the Body and Blood of Jesus, allowing us to draw closer to Him in a profound and intimate way.
Read more about the importance of Mass and Communion.
Rosary
The Rosary is the most powerful weapon we Catholics have. With it, we can invoke Mary when we are fighting against temptations or when we need Her to intercede. Here are some famous sayings of Saints about this powerful prayer:
“Whoever prays their Rosary daily will never go astray. This is a statement I would sign with my blood. ” – St. Louis de Montfort.
“If you desire peace in your heart, in your home, and in your country, gather every night to pray the Rosary. Do not let a single day pass without praying it, no matter how burdened you are with worries and labors. ” – Pope Pius XI.
“Our Lady has never denied me a grace through the recitation of the rosary.” – St. Padre Pio.
Meditation
To help you stay focused during your meditation time, here are some videos with meditations on the mysteries of the rosary.
You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with schedules for Mass, Confession, and Adoration wherever you are, to fulfill the promise of the first Saturdays of the month! Download it now.
What is the Origin of the Devotion of the First Saturdays of the Month?
The devotion of the First Saturdays of the month originated from the request of the Virgin Mary in Fatima in 1917. She asked for reparation for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart, dedicating five consecutive first Saturdays to confession, communion, praying the Rosary, and meditation. This is sought to console her heart and obtain special graces.
What Importance Do the First Saturdays of the Month Have for Catholics?
They have a profound spiritual value. They are not only a way to honor and console the Virgin but also represent a path of conversion, reparation, and trust in her promise of salvation. They are a response of love to her maternal call.
What Did the Virgin Ask for on the First Saturdays?
The Virgin asked that, for five consecutive first Saturdays, her children confess, receive communion, pray the Rosary, and keep her company for fifteen minutes meditating on its mysteries. All this should be offered as an act of reparation for the offenses committed against her Immaculate Heart.
Why is it Important to Repair Mary's Heart?
Because Her Heart has been wounded by the sins and indifference of the world. Repairing it is an act of love and justice: to console Her, accompany Her, and return love where She has received contempt. She Herself requested this in Fatima as a path of conversion and hope for humanity.
