Before we start we welcome all the men, we ask all to line up in straight lines by checking person in front and to the sides.
History of the First Five Saturday’s Devotion
In the year of Our Lord, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six different times to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal with a most important message to the world concerning the salvation of souls and world peace. In her appearance on July 13th of that year she showed the children a vision of hell and said:
You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace… I shall come to ask for… the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays.…
Eight years later, on December 10, 1925, the Blessed Virgin fulfilled her promise. On that day Our Lady appeared with the Child Jesus to Lucy — now Sister Lucy, and the sole surviving seer of the 1917 apparitions — in her convent in Pontevedra, Spain. She placed one hand on Sr. Lucy’s shoulder and in the other hand she showed her a Heart surrounded by thorns. The Child Jesus said to her:
Have compassion on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother, covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation to remove them.
After this, the Blessed Virgin said:
Look, my daughter, at my Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and announce in my name that I promise to assist at the moment of death, with all the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months shall receive the sacrament of Confession, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to my Immaculate Heart.
Here it is important to consider that reparation is to be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Naturally, all reparation for sin is directed to God the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Ghost, but the Blessed Virgin’s unique role in the salvation of mankind makes sin especially hurtful to her Heart. And, making reparation means to make amends for this harm that has been done to her.
Requirements on the 1st Saturdays of 5 consecutive months:
1. Make a good Confession (This can be made within 8 days before or after the first Saturday).
2. Receive Holy Communion (Regarding the difficulty that some could meet in fulfilling this requirement on Saturday, Our Lord told Sr. Lucy: “The practice of this devotion will be equally acceptable on the Sunday following the first Saturday when my priests, for a just cause, allow the faithful”).
3. Pray 5 decades the Holy Rosary.
4. Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while meditating on the 15 mysteries of the Holy Rosary. This is to be done separately from the Rosary using one, several or all of the mysteries.
5. The above 4 requirements must all be done with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Thus our purpose is to console and compassionate the Immaculate Heart for the offenses she receives by those who ungratefully reject her maternal intervention and despise her prerogatives.
The Promises
1. The Virgin Mary’ s assistance at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.
2. Establishing devotion to the Immaculate Heart will result in the salvation of souls and peace.
Why Five Saturdays?
First of all, Saturday has traditionally been set aside as a day to honour Mary. For, on the first Holy Saturday — between the day of Jesus’ Crucifixion and that of his Resurrection — she alone remained steadfast in her Faith that Jesus would rise again as He said. Beyond this, Sr. Lucy relates the reason for five:
When I was in the chapel with Our Lord part of the night of May 29-30, 1930, and I spoke to Our Lord about this question, I suddenly felt myself more intimately possessed by the Divine Presence and, if I am not mistaken, this is what was revealed to me: “My daughter, the reason is simple. There are five types of offenses and blasphemies committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
(1) Blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception.
(2) Blasphemies against her virginity.
(3) Blasphemies against her divine maternity, in refusing at the same time to recognize her as the Mother of men.
(4) The blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of children indifference to, or scorn or even hatred of this Immaculate Mother.
(5) The offenses of those who outrage her directly in her holy images.”
Start the Rosary
Before we start the Rosary we encourage all to kneel for the rosary (NOTE: only those that can). Kneeling can be a an act of reparation and penance and is a more powerful witness.
Make the Sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
The Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name: Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Three Hail Mary‘s for an increase of faith, hope and charity.
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Decade Prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy Mercy. Amen
1. The Annunciation: In this mystery the Angel Gabriel greets Mary, calling her: “Full of Grace”. This particular title (chosen by God) has been used by the Church to help demonstrate that Mary was Immaculately conceived — for if she is full of grace, there can be no room for any sin in her whatsoever. She is the Immaculate Conception. Thus, in honouring this mystery we make reparation for blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception. Note: Then 3 min silent meditation.
2. The Visitation: In this mystery St. Elizabeth greets Our Lady exclaiming: “…blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord”. And what was it that Mary believed? She believed that though she was vowed to God as a virgin — “I know not man” — She would nevertheless “conceive” and “bring forth a son”. Thus, in honouring this mystery we make reparation for the blasphemies against Mary’s perpetual virginity. Note: Then 3 min silent meditation.
3. The Holy Nativity: In this mystery Mary gives birth to Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God. By becoming man, He became the brother of all men. One cannot have Jesus for his brother who has not Mary for his mother. Thus, in honouring this mystery we make reparation for the blasphemies against Mary’s divine maternity and for those who refuse to recognize her as the Mother of men. Note: Then 3 min silent meditation.
4. The Presentation: In this mystery Mary brings her Divine Son in her maternal arms into the Temple. There she selflessly offers Him to his Eternal Father. If the Eternal Father has such confidence in Mary as to entrust his Divine Son with his mission to save man to her maternal care, have his creatures anything to fear in entrusting their children to her? Thus, in honouring this mystery we make reparation for the blasphemies of those who publicly seek to sow in the hearts of children indifference to, or scorn or even hatred of this Immaculate Mother. Note: Then 3 min silent meditation.
5. The Finding in the Temple: In this mystery Mary’s sole purpose for entering the Temple in Jerusalem is to find Jesus. Likewise, by being present through her images in our Catholic temples today she helps us to find, know and love her Jesus. Thus, in honouring this mystery we make reparation for the offenses of those who outrage her directly in her holy images. Note: Then 3 min silent meditation.
Rosary Closing Prayers
The Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, Thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, Whose only-begotten Son, By His Life, Death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise through the same Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Memorare
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins and Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
The Litany of Loreto
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower if ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Solace of Migrants,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Saint Michael The Archangel
Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. — May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all the wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
R. Have mercy upon us. (say three times)
Finish with one Our father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the holy intentions of our Holy Father and the local bishop or Archbishop.
At the close any relevant announcements and invite all to come again next month and try and bring some mates along and spread the word. It is customary to get a group photo.