First Friday of the Month

This Friday, May 1, 2009, is the First Friday of the month. First Friday devotions date back to the 17th century within the Church.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque received the twelve promises of Jesus for those devoted to His Sacred Heart. The twelfth promise is ...

The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall
receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has the following two things to say about the Heart of Jesus ...

2669 The prayer of the Church venerates and honors the Heart of Jesus just as it invokes his most holy name. It adores the incarnate Word and his Heart which, out of love for men, he allowed to be pierced by our sins. Christian prayer loves to follow the way of the cross in the Savior's steps. The stations from the Praetorium to Golgotha and the tomb trace the way of Jesus, who by his holy Cross has redeemed the world.

478 Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation,"is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception.

First Friday adoration begins at 7 AM in the chapel at Valentin Hall. It will continue until First Saturday mass at 8 AM Saturday morning.

To read more about St. Margaret Mary, click here. To read more about meditations, a novena, and an offering to the Sacred Heart, click here.