Enthronement
of the Sacred Heart at home,
and
the Nine First Fridays of Reparation.
Philip
Kosloski of Aleteia lays it
out at:
5 Things Catholics Should Know About First Fridays
Learn about devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the graces that come from observing First Fridays
It is no wonder, therefore, that our predecessors have constantly defended
this most approved form of devotion — the pious devotion of the faithful toward
the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus [and] the custom of receiving Holy Communion on
the first Friday of every month at the desire of Christ Jesus, a custom which
now prevails everywhere.—Pope
Pius XI Miserentissimus Redemptor
What’s so special about First
Fridays?
Our parents grew up going to church every First Friday of the month and
taking part in Sacred Heart devotions, but in recent decades the pious practice
has fallen out of practice, and is dismissed by some as an “old-fashioned”
anachronism.
A main reason for the decline in interest in this devotion is probably
rooted in simple ignorance: people don’t know what First Fridays are all about;
families and parishes may not have adequately passed down their importance
to the next generation. Here are five things to know.
1. How did the First Friday Devotion begin?
While some saints referenced
the Heart of Jesus in their writings even centuries earlier,
in 1673, a French Visitandine (Visitation) nun named Margaret Mary
Alacoque had visions of Jesus, wherein he asked the Church to honor His Most
Sacred Heart. In particular, Jesus asked the faithful to “receive Communion on
the First Fridays, for nine consecutive months.” The request was connected to a
specific promise made to all who venerated and promoted devotion to the Sacred
Heart. After Margaret Mary’s death, the First Friday practice steadily spread
in the Church — endorsed by popes and promoted by saints —
but it greatly increased in popularity when Margaret Mary was canonized a saint
in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.
2. Why nine consecutive months?
The number nine is traditionally associated with a novena and finds its
origin in the nine days that the apostles spent in prayer before Pentecost. A
novena provides an extended amount of time for preparation and interior
renewal.
3. What am I supposed to do on First Fridays?
Go to Mass and receive Holy Communion with the intention of honoring
Christ’s Sacred Heart. If you are not in a state of grace, and thus unable to
receive, you will also need to go to confession.
4. What are the “promises” connected to this devotion?
Jesus said to St. Margaret Mary, “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.” This
means that if a person faithfully receives communion for nine consecutive
months on First Fridays, Jesus will grant that person extra graces at the time
of their death, making it possible to repent of their sins and receive the last
rites (if needed).
This promise is the last of 12 promises connected to the Devotion to
the Sacred Heart, particularly attached to the Enthronement
of the Sacred Heart in one’s home:
(1) I will
give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
(2) I will
establish peace in their homes.
(3) I will
comfort them in all their afflictions.
(4) I will be
their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
(5) I will
bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
(6) Sinners
will find in my heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
(7) Lukewarm
souls shall become fervent.
(8) Fervent
souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
(9) I will
bless every place in which an image of my heart is exposed and honored.
10) I will
give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
(11) Those who
shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
(12) I promise
you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to
all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive
months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor
without receiving their sacraments. My divine heart shall be their safe refuge
in this last moment.
5. Are the First Fridays a “ticket” to heaven?
It is not as simple as going to Mass for nine months and then clocking out,
never going to Mass again and leading a sinful life! The entire purpose of this
devotion is to draw a person closer to the heart of Christ. If a person
fulfills these obligations with sincere faith, it is natural for he or
she to be closer to God and better prepared for death. The moment that
this devotion is observed in a superstitious manner, neglecting the need to
live a virtuous life, all bets are off and Jesus’ promise is null and void.
Jesus wants us to rest on his heart, like St. John, and the First Friday
devotion is an opportunity for us to encounter him more than just on Sundays
and to deepen our love of him.
Coming to know, love and trust that we may take rest in the Sacred Heart of
Jesus, and place our anxieties within, is what the First Fridays are all about.
[Editor’s Note: Take the Poll – Do
You Still Celebrate First Fridays?]
1st (Friday) March,
2019
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