Introduction
The Five First Saturdays Devotion is a spiritual practice in the Catholic Church, encouraged by the Blessed Virgin Mary as revealed to the children at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. This devotion offers the faithful an opportunity to express their love and fidelity to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and, by extension, to Jesus Christ. Here we will explore the roots, purpose, and steps to observe this devotion, in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Historical Context: Apparitions at Fatima
The roots of the Five First Saturdays Devotion can be traced back to the Marian apparitions at Fatima. On July 13, 1917, Our Lady showed a vision of Hell to the three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, and then said, “To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” This laid the groundwork for the devotion, although the specific request for the Five First Saturdays would come later, during a subsequent apparition to Lucia in 1925.
The Theological Basis: The Immaculate Heart of Mary
While the devotion stems from private revelation, the veneration of Mary’s Immaculate Heart has a basis in the broader Catholic tradition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that Mary is “full of grace,” free from original sin from the moment of her conception (CCC 490-493). This makes her heart a model of love and obedience to God’s will.
What is the Five First Saturdays Devotion?
The devotion consists of five consecutive First Saturdays of the month, during which Catholics are invited to:
- Confession: Go to the Sacrament of Confession.
- Communion: Receive Holy Communion.
- Rosary: Pray five decades of the Rosary.
- Meditation: Spend 15 minutes meditating on one or more of the mysteries of the Rosary.
These should be performed with the specific intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the offenses against it.
Confession
The sacrament of Confession is crucial for cleansing the soul from sin. According to the Catechism, “Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion […] without having first received sacramental absolution” (CCC 1457).
Communion
Holy Communion nourishes our soul and strengthens our union with Christ. The Bible says, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54).
Rosary
The Rosary is a form of prayer that contemplates the mysteries of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Catechism calls the Rosary “an epitome of the whole Gospel” (CCC 971).
Meditation
The 15-minute meditation is an invitation to ponder the mysteries of the Rosary, essentially extending the prayerful consideration of the lives of Jesus and Mary. This meditation seeks to cultivate a heart like Mary’s—obedient, loving, and humble.
The Promises and Benefits
The Blessed Virgin Mary promised Sister Lucia that “I shall come to ask for… the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays” and that she would “assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation” those who fulfill the devotion.
Though we should exercise caution in placing too much emphasis on private revelations, the Church has approved the Fatima apparitions as worthy of belief. However, the promises are not an “automatic ticket” to Heaven but should be viewed as an assurance of Mary’s maternal care for those who sincerely strive for holiness.
The Universal Teaching and Theological Opinions
It’s important to clarify that while the Marian apparitions at Fatima are approved by the Church, the Five First Saturdays Devotion remains a private devotion and is not a universal teaching of the Church. Catholics are not obliged to practice it, although it is highly recommended.
Conclusion
The Five First Saturdays Devotion is a profound way to deepen one’s love for the Immaculate Heart of Mary and, by extension, for Jesus Christ. While grounded in private revelation, the practice aligns well with the broader teachings of the Church, offering the faithful a structured way to make reparation for the offenses against Mary’s Immaculate Heart and grow in personal holiness. This is very much in keeping with the universal Church’s call to “the universal call to holiness” (CCC 2013), inviting each of us to draw closer to God through acts of devotion, prayer, and sacramental life.