Nine First Fridays Devotion

The **First Fridays Devotion**, also known as the **Nine First Fridays Devotion** or the **Communions of Reparation to the Sacred Heart**, is a Catholic devotion in honor of the **Sacred Heart of Jesus**. This devotion aims to offer reparations for sins to the Blessed Sacrament.

The devotion consists of several practices performed on the first Fridays of nine consecutive months. On these days, a person is to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist with the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart and making reparation for sins. The nine First Fridays must be consecutive.

The First Friday devotion is associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, while the First Saturday devotion is associated with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The devotion involves receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month as a special act of reparation and love to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The **First Fridays Devotion** originated from the apparitions of Jesus Christ to **St. Margaret Mary Alacoque** in the 17th century at **Paray-le-Monial, France**. St. Margaret Mary reported visions of Jesus directing her to promote devotion to the **Sacred Heart of Jesus** on nine consecutive First Fridays. This devotion was intended to offer reparation for sins and to show love to Jesus.

The devotion was fully approved by the Roman Catholic Church, and a "Great Promise" of final penance was made to those who practice the First Fridays Devotion. This promise includes the grace of final repentance and the assurance of receiving the sacraments before death.

To observe the **First Fridays Devotion**, you need to follow these steps on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months:

1. **Attend Holy Mass**: Participate in the Holy Mass on the first Friday of each month.

2. **Receive Holy Communion**: Receive the Eucharist worthily with the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and making reparation for sins.

3. **Go to Confession**:

4. **Offer Each Holy Communion as an Act of Atonement**: Offer each Holy Communion as an act of atonement for offenses against the Blessed Sacrament.

To receive the Eucharist worthily, the following requirements must be met:

1. **State of Grace**: You must be in a state of grace, meaning you should not have any unconfessed mortal sins. If you have committed a mortal sin, you need to go to Confession before receiving the Eucharist.

2. **Faith in the True Presence**: You must have faith in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Receiving without belief is considered sacrilegious and prevents you from receiving the grace Christ wants to give.

3. **Eucharistic Fast**: You should observe the Eucharistic fast, which typically means abstaining from food and drink (except water and medicine) for at least one hour before receiving the Eucharist.

4. **Proper Disposition**: Approach the Eucharist with reverence and a proper disposition. This includes being intentional, preparing through prayer, and actively participating in the liturgy.

5. **Follow-Up**: After receiving the Eucharist, offer a prayer of love and thanksgiving to Jesus for the gift of His Body and Blood.

While **adoration** is not a strict requirement for the **First Fridays Devotion**, it is a common and highly recommended practice. The primary requirements for the devotion are attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months, with the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and making reparation for sins.

However, many parishes offer **Eucharistic Adoration** and **Benediction** as part of the First Friday observances. This allows the faithful to spend additional time in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, deepening their devotion and love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

**Eucharistic Adoration** is a devotional practice in which the faithful worship the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This practice involves spending time in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, which is the consecrated host that has been transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

During Eucharistic Adoration, the Blessed Sacrament is typically displayed in a monstrance, a special vessel designed to hold and display the consecrated host. The faithful are invited to come and spend time in the presence of Jesus, offering prayers, meditations, and acts of worship.

Eucharistic Adoration can be done individually or as part of a communal service. Some parishes offer **Perpetual Adoration**, where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed 24 hours a day, allowing the faithful to come and adore Jesus at any time.

The practice of Eucharistic Adoration helps deepen one's relationship with Jesus, fosters a sense of peace and spiritual renewal, and provides an opportunity for personal reflection and prayer.

**St. Margaret Mary Alacoque** emphasized the importance of **Eucharistic Adoration** in her visions and messages. During one of her mystical experiences, Jesus revealed to her the need for a "Holy Hour" of reparation, which involves spending time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. This practice was intended to make reparation for the offenses and ingratitude shown to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

While Eucharistic Adoration is not a strict requirement for the **First Fridays Devotion**, it is highly recommended and aligns with the spirit of the devotion. Adoration allows the faithful to deepen their relationship with Jesus and show their love and reverence for the Blessed Sacrament.

(1) First Friday Devotion - Fatima. https://fatima.org/first-friday-devotion/.

(2) How to Observe First Fridays and First Saturdays. https://www.simplycatholic.com/how-to-observe-first-fridays-and-first-saturdays/.

(3) The First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. https://corjesusacratissimum.org/introduction-devotion-to-sacred-heart-of-jesus/the-first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/.

(4) First Friday Devotion - The Catholic Crusade. https://thecatholiccrusade.com/first-friday-devotion/.

By observing these practices, we can fulfill the requirements of the First Fridays Devotion and receive the promises associated with it, such as the grace of final repentance and the assurance of receiving the sacraments before death.