The First Saturdays of Devotion or the Five First Saturdays of Devotion to be specific is a form of Catholic devotion that dates back to 1925. Our Lady appeared on an apparition in Spain to request for the Communion of Reparation of the Five First Saturdays. The Virgin Mary appeared before a nun to make a request of devotion. Whoever does so, Mary promises ‘to assist them at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls.’
This devotion was already approved by the vatican on 1905. To note, all first Saturdays of the whole year or twelve consecutive months should be devoted to the Immaculate.
Here is The Act of Reparation, four points you need to do every first Saturday of the month.
1. Confess your sins. Receiving the sacramental confession doesn’t mean going to the church and making an appointment with a priest. Confession can be kept within one’s self.
2. Receive Holy Communion. Communion must be received within 24 hours of the first Saturday of the month. This step goes hand in hand with the first step.
3. Pray the Rosary. Before starting, you need to keep in mind that the Holy Rosary must be prayed with the intention of making a reparation. Five decades (mysteries) is required to be recited.
4. Meditate. While praying the Rosary, you must do a 15-minute meditation on the mysteries. At the end of the prayer, the meditation must total to 15 minutes which could be either distributed on the mysteries or focused on just one mystery.
According to America Needs Fatima, the devotion of the Five First Saturdays is done in order to respond to the five blasphemies committed against the Virgin Mary, namely: (1) blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception; (2) blasphemies against her virginity; (3) blasphemies against her divine maternity; (4) instilling hatred to Mary among children; and (5) insults against her images. Whoever faithfully commits to the Five First Saturdays, a blessed reward is waiting: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.”
Kristine Tuting
Senior Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
Kristine Tuting knows she has developed a love-hate relationship when it comes to writing. She obtained her bachelor's degree in BA Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas and her high school diploma at Nuestra Senora De Aranzazu Parochial School. When she's not working, Kristine treats the writing process as learning, especially when it comes to religious terminologies.
