First Saturday Devotions
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The First Saturday Devotions are a Roman Catholic practice which is said to have been recommended by the Virgin Mary in several visitations, notably Our Lady of Fatima. Catholics honour the Virgin on Saturdays because of her sufferings and faith on Holy Saturday before the Resurrection on Easter. Devotees of Fatima believe that the First Saturdays help to console the sorrows of God, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary for the sins of the world.
Any Catholic can practice the First Saturdays, alone or in a group. On the first Saturday of five successive months, one goes to confession, attends Saturday mass and takes Holy Communion. Then the Rosary is recited. One remains in the church for at least fifteen minutes afterwards, meditating on the Rosary's mysteries. During this time one is considered to be visiting Jesus Christ, who is believed by Catholics to be physically present in the Eucharist.
A few consecrated Hosts are always kept in a box called a tabernacle in the sanctuary of every Catholic church, so that Jesus is always there. The tabernacle is empty only on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
Sister Lucia, the only Fatima visionary to survive into adulthood, reported that the Blessed Mother came to her in her convent at Pontevedra, Portugal with the following statement:
- Look, my daughter, at my Heart encircled by these thorns with which men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, strive to console me, and so I announce: I promise to assist at the hour of death with the grace necessary for salvation all those who, with the intention of making reparation to me, will, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the beads, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the rosary.