It is on the First Friday of each month that our Lord has specifically asked for reparation to be made for the outrages committed against his Sacred Heart. This is what our Lord said to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque:
“On Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave, if I mistake not: I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment.”
What an incredible promise! If we practice this devotion, not only will our Lord give us the grace to be truely sorry for our sins before we die, but He will provide the Sacraments before we die! And what does that mean exactly? Not just the great Sacrament of Mercy: Penance, but also Extreme Unction which contains as part of it the Apostolic Blessing which means full remission of the temporal punishment due to your sins, which means NO purgatory time for you! How amazing is that!
And how simple and profound is this devotion! Go and attend Holy Mass today and offer it up in reparation for the outrages against the Sacred Heart and love our Lord with your whole heart and adore His Sacred Heart in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and these great graces will be yours!
And if you practice a true devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus He also made other promises which were given to us by Saint Margaret:
-He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.-He will establish peace in their homes.
-He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
-He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
-He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
-Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
-Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
-Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
-He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honored.
-He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
-Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
-In the excessive mercy of His Heart that His 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 His disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
How can one not be inspired to practice this devotion after reading these promises?! Let us then endeavor to do so! And so what are these devotions that will obtain these great graces for us? Here they are:
-Receiving Communion frequently
-First Fridays: going to Confession and receiving the Eucharist on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months. Many parishes will offer public First Friday devotions; if they do, you must perform First Fridays publicly. If it isn’t so offered in your parish, you can do this privately, going to Confession, receiving the Eucharist, and offering your prayers for the intention of the Holy Father.
-Holy Hour: Eucharistic Adoration for one hour on Thursdays (“Could you not watch one hour with me?”). Holy Hour can be made alone or as part of a group with formal prayers.
-Celebrating of the Feast of the Sacred Hear (This year: Friday June 7th, June is also the Month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
And for more let me point you toward a few links well worth a look…
Miserentissimus Redemptor – On Reparation to the Sacred Heart – by Pope Pius XI
Eucharistic Holy Hours of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
Sermon: First Friday Devotion (6:57)
Sermon: Behold the Heart Which Has Loved Man So Much (20:25)
Is the 9 First Fridays a one time olr must it be done everay yeat
In order to gain the promise strictly speaking it only needs to be done once. Many, however, out of great devotion to the Sacred Heart try to keep every First Friday with special devotion. The same goes for the First Saturdays devotion. Our continued devotion can be a great example to those who haven’t performed the devotion yet themselves and may inspire them to do so, or to ask us why we practice the devotion.
Today was to be my 8th first Friday. Unfortunately my whole family has Covid and we couldn’t go anywhere. Nor did I feel right asking anyone to bring communion. I wonder if going next Friday could substitute, given the circumstances?
I’m sure our Lord will understand. Unite your suffering with His in His holy passion. Accept His holy will in regard to this and you can receive many graces.
Is there a grace period for confession? Can you go a few days before or a few days after?
If you are speaking of gaining an indulgence the Church generally requires you to go to confession within 8 days before or after the indulgences act/work.
I did it..while homeschooling.. but, it was long ago..I’m trying again..going to a nearby church..st.Raphael.
October..will be month 3. Pray for me..my car needs a new transmission.? and, they cannot find one..its a old car. Thank you.