First Saturday Devotion

The History of the Five First Saturday’s of the Month

On the 13th May 1917, Our Lady first mentioned devotion to her Immaculate Heart to the children of Fatima saying “You have seen hell, where 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.”

On the 10th December 1925, Our Lady appeared to Lucia detailing how devotion to her Immaculate Heart was to be practiced.  These words are from Sr Lucia’s own account:

“… by her side, elevated on a luminous cloud, was a child. The most holy Virgin rested her hand on her shoulder, and as she did so, she showed her a heart encircled by thorns, which she was holding in her other hand. At the same time, the Child said:

“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.”

Then the most holy Virgin said: “Look, my daughter, at my Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, 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 me.”

How to Practice the Five First Saturday’s Devotion

1)    Confession: Make a good confession during the 8 days prior to the first Saturday with the intention of offering reparation for the offences against Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.

2)    Communion.  You should attend Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion with the intention of offering reparation for the offences against Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart

3)    The Communion should be received on the first Saturday of the month.

4)    The confession must be repeated for 5 consecutive months, without interruption, otherwise you must recommence from the beginning.

5)    Recite 5 decades of the Holy Rosary with the intention of making reparation to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart

6)    15 minutes meditation on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.  Accompany Our Lady by meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. 

 Accompany Our Lady by meditating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. This can be done by reading the biblical texts of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary slowly thinking of their content. You could meditate on one mystery for 15 minutes at the end of the prayer as Sr Lucia did. This meditation is in addition to the recitation of the Rosary.

7) Say the prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to conclude the devotion.

Why five Saturdays?

Our Lord told Sr Lucia that the 5 Saturdays represent the offences against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“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, or scorn or even hatred of this Immaculate Mother;

5. The offenses of those who outrage Her directly in Her holy images. Here, my daughter, is the reason why the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspired Me to ask for this little act of reparation. . (May 29,1930)

Confession

Sister Lucia clarified what should be done if confession cannot be made on the first Saturday of the month:

“My Jesus! Many souls find it difficult to confess on Saturday. Will Thou allow a confession within eight days to be valid He replied:

Yes. It can even be made later on, provided that the souls are in the state of grace when they receive Me on the First Saturday and that they had the intention of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Mary. – My Jesus!

And those who forget to form this intention?

They can form it at the next confession, taking advantage of their first opportunity to go to confession. (February 15, 1926)”

Communion

Grace and Misericordia

During a revelation by Our Lord on the 29th May 1930, Sr Lucia clarified what one should do if all the conditions for the devotion, like the receipt of Holy Communion, could not be fulfilled on the first Saturday.

Our Lord said: “The practice of this devotion will be equally accepted on the Sunday following the first Saturday, when, for just reasons, My priests will allow it.”

Spiritual Attitude towards the devotion

Our Lady promised that She would “assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation” the souls who make the first five Saturdays. However, it is important that the desire to console Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart by making reparation and growing in holiness is the main motivation for the practice.  To underline this fact, Our Lord told Sr Lucia:

“It is true, my daughter, that many souls begin the First Saturdays, but few finish them, and those who do complete them do so in order to receive the graces that are promised thereby. It would please me more if they did Five with fervour and with the intention of making reparation to the Heart of your heavenly Mother, than if they did Fifteen, in a tepid and indifferent manner…” (15th February 1926)

First Friday Devotion

At the end of the 17th century Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque (1647-1690) and asked her to spread devotion to His Most Sacred Heart. In a letter written to her Mother Superior in May 1688, St. Margaret Mary set out what is called The Great Promise Our Lord made regarding the Nine First Fridays and what we must do to earn it:

“On Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave, if I mistake not: ‘I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that Its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under My displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, My divine Heart making Itself their assured refuge at the last moment.'”

First Friday Requirements: To meet the requirements for the First Friday Devotion a person must, on each First Friday for nine consecutive months:

1. Attend Holy Mass
2. Receive Communion
3. Go to Confession*

*Some Catholic resources on this devotion say that Confession is not strictly required unless you need the sacrament in order to receive a worthy Communion, in other words, you need to go to Confession so you can be in the state of grace before you can receive Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Other sources say you must go to Confession with in eight days before or after the Friday. Even if you are in the state of grace. If in doubt, consult your spiritual director. The more prevalent view prescribes the latter

The communicant should have the intention, at least implicitly, of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for all the sinfulness and ingratitude of men.

Our Lord made these promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque regarding those who practice the Nine First Fridays and have a deep devotion to His Sacred Heart. The Twelve Promises listed below includes the “Great Promise” (number 12).

1. I will give them all of the graces necessary for their state of life. 

2. I will establish peace in their homes. 

3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions. 

4. I will be their strength during life and above all during death. 

5. I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings. 

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy. 

7. Tepid souls shall grow fervent. 

8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. 

9. I will bless every place where a picture of my heart shall be set up and honored. 

10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. 

11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out. 

12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant all to those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

Pentecost Novena - Friday after Ascension Thursday

The Pentecost Novena is the first of all novenas, nine days of prayer. After Jesus' Ascension into heaven, He commanded His disciples to come together in the upper room to devote themselves to constant prayer (Acts 1:14). They prayed for nine days before receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
On May 4, 1897, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed: "We decree and command that throughout the whole Catholic Church, this year and in every subsequent year, a novena shall take place before Whit-Sunday (Pentecost), in all parish churches." It has been reported that Pope Leo XIII was inspired to mandate the Pentecost novena because of a letter from a housewife in Italy. Pope John Paul II has reiterated Pope Leo XIII's command for a worldwide Pentecost novena, although the novena can be prayed at any time — not only before Pentecost.
Try to go to Mass daily throughout the novena. Go to Confession during the novena. Make visits to church to adore the Eucharistic Jesus throughout the novena. The Church has not written any official prayers for the novena. The following prayers are suggested.

 The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. 

Begin with the prayer below, pray and meditate on the prayer for the given day, end each day with the closing prayer.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen. 

1
Holy Spirit, Lord of Light, from heaven above, give us Your pure beaming radiance.
The Holy Spirit Only one thing is important -- eternal salvation. Therefore, only one thing is to be feared--sin. Sin is the result of weakness and indifference. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with God's love. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helps our infirmity. When we do not know how to pray as we should, The Holy Spirit speaks for us."
Prayer Almighty and eternal God, You have regenerated us by water and the Holy Spirit, and have given us forgiveness of all sins, send forth from heaven your sevenfold Spirit and bestow His gifts upon us. The gifts of: Wisdom and Understanding, Right Judgement and Courage, Knowledge and Reverence, and a Spirit of Wonder and Awe.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times.

2

Come, Father of the poor. Come, treasure which endures. Come, Light of all that lives.

The Gift of Fear The gift of Fear (Wonder and Awe) fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread anything that offends Him. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from thoughts of reverence and loving submission to The One Heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of Wisdom. A longing for God that detaches us from worldly pleasures that could separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."
Prayer Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face always, help me to shun all things that offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the Blessed Trinity.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times.

 3

Thou, of all consolers best, visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Reverence The gift of Reverence fills in our hearts a loving affection for God as our most Heavenly Father. It inspires us to love and respect, simply for His sake, persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority: His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and the Pope, our parents and superiors. Those filled with the gift of Piety find the practice of their religion a delightful service, an enjoyable endeavour. Where there is love, there is no labor.
Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, completely fill my heart. Inflame in me such a love for God, that I only find satisfaction in His service, and for His sake, lovingly submit to all legitimate authority.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

4

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Courage With the gift of Courage, the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Courage gives to the will an energy which moves it to undertake, without hesitancy, the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, and to endure without complaint life's trials and tribulations. "He that perseveres unto the end, he shall be saved."
Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Courage, uphold my soul in times of trouble and adversity, support my efforts for holiness, strengthen my weaknesses, grant me courage against all assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from God the greatest Good.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

5

Light immortal, Light Divine, Visit our hearts and fill our inmost being.

The Gift of Knowledge The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose: instruments in the service of God. Knowledge shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and teaches us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by Knowledge's light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it."
Prayer Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father. Spirit of Knowledge, show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for the Glory of God and as a means to achieve salvation.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

6

Heal our wounds--our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Gift of Right Judgement The Gift of Right Judgement endows the soul with heavenly prudence, enabling the individual to judge promptly and rightly what must done, specially in difficult circumstances or in times of exteme pressue. Right Judgement applies the principles furnished by Knowledge, and the discipline furnished by Courage, to the innumerable situations that confront us in the course of our daily lives as disciples of Christ. Right Judgement is supernatural common sense. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct your path in truth."
Prayer Come, O Spirit of Right Judgement, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy Holy Will. Incline my heart to that which is good; to turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life with you.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

7

If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn'd to ill.

The Gift of Understanding The Gift of Understanding helps us to comprehend the meaning of the truths of our Holy Religion. Through faith we come to know them, but through Understanding we learn to appreciate and greatly enjoy them. Understanding enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of these truths, and through them be engergized to newness of life and purpose. Our participation ceases to be sterile and inactive, but becomes an inspired mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that GOd has gifted us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Prayer Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

8

Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill, guide the steps that go astray.

The Gift of Wisdom Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Just as love embraces all other virtues, Wisdom emobodies all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit Wisdom strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects love, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly promises lose their savor. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." Wisdom enables the Cross of Christ to provide a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light."
Prayer Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things. May I comprehend the exceeding greatness and beauty of heavenly things, and teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing happiness and satisfactions of earthly things. Help me to attain the gifts of heaven and possess them for ever.

Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

9

Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend;
Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit The Gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues in us by enabling us to practice them with divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere, more generous, and the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with supreme happiness (beatitude) and lead us to the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer Come Holy Ghost, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits of charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity that I may never tire in my service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration I may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son.
Pray The Our Father once, The Hail Mary once, and The Glory be to the Father seven times. 

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, before you ascended into heaven, you promised to send the Holy Spirit into the souls of your apostles and disciples, graciously grant me the same Holy Spirit. Grant that He may perfect in my soul your grace and love and graciously fill me with your spirit of:

• Wonder and Awe, that I may be filled with an infinite and loving reverence towards God, and dread in any way to displease Him.
• Reverence, that I may find service of God sweet and amiable.
• Knowledge, that I may know God and myself to grow perfect in holiness.
• Courage, that I may joyfully bear my cross with you and overcome all obstacles that oppose my salvation.
• Right Judgment, that I may gain beatitude by always choosing the surest way of pleasing God.
• Understanding, that I may enlighten my mind with Your divine truth.
• Wisdom, that I may aspire only for the things that are eternal and despise the things of this world.

Mark me Lord with the sign of Your true disciple, animate me in all things with Your Spirit, and grant that I may achieve the Fruits of the Holy Spirits in my lifetime.

Come, Holy Ghost (Veni Creator Spiritus)
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heav’nly aid, To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heav’nly gift of God most high,
Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.
O Finger of the hand divine, the sevenfold gifts of grace are thine;
true promise of the Father thou, who dost the tongue with power endow.
Thy light to every sense impart, and shed thy love in every heart;
thine own unfailing might supply to strengthen our infirmity.
Drive far away our ghostly foe, and thine abiding peace bestow;
if thou be our preventing Guide, no evil can our steps betide.
Praise we the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit with them One;
and may the Son on us bestow the gifts that from the Spirit flow.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Ascension Thursday - HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION!

Forty days after the Resurrection, Our Lord Jesus Christ, attended by Angels, ascended into Heaven, in the sight of His most holy Mother Mary, His Apostles, and disciples, to the great wonder of them all. He entered into possession of the Kingdom of Heaven which He had gained by His sufferings, and St. Paul declares that God “hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus.” “There where the Head has gone, the Body is called to follow!” The liturgical festival of the Ascension, whilst less ancient than that of Pentecost, is one of the oldest of the cycle, was already so universally observed that St. Augustine was able to attribute its institution to the Apostles themselves. At Rome, the Pope, after the night Office was concluded, and after Mass had been celebrated at the altar of St. Peter, was crowned by the cardinals, and towards the sixth hour was accompanied by bishops and clergy to the Lateran.

On this day Jesus was taken up into Heaven;

His faithful disciples continued to gaze heavenward. The contemplative vision of Paradise is reserved, however, for those who have already passed into the Church Triumphant. The supreme glorification of the Head who is this day enthroned at the right hand of the Father in Heaven affects the members also, like the precious balsam which, as the psalmist tells us, descended from the head of Aaron on to his flowing beard and on to his gorgeous pontifical vestments. This spiritual unction is the gift of the Holy Ghost, which Christ obtains to-day from Heaven for his Church. Hence the connection between the Ascension and Pentecost is very close, nor can we understand the one without the other.

St. Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar. The first is March 19—Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The second is May 1—Joseph, the Worker.

“Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God,” Pope John Paul II had once said.

There is very little about the life of Joseph in Scripture but still, we know that he was the chaste husband of Mary, the foster father of Jesus, a carpenter and  a man who was not wealthy. We also know that he came from the royal lineage of King David.

We can see from his actions in scripture that Joseph was a compassionate man, and obedient to the will of God. He also loved Mary and Jesus and wanted to protect and provide for them.

Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus' public life, at his death, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph had probably died before Jesus entered public ministry.

Joseph is the patron of many things, including the universal Church, fathers, the dying and social justice.

Apparently in response to the "May Day" celebrations for workers sponsored by

Communists,

Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker in 1955. But the relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers has a longer history.

In a constantly necessary effort to keep Jesus from being removed from ordinary human life, the Church has from the beginning proudly emphasized that Jesus was a carpenter, obviously trained by Joseph in both the satisfactions and the drudgery of that vocation. Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ.

"The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it" (Genesis 2:15). The Father created all and asked humanity to continue the work of creation. We find our dignity in our work, in raising a family, in participating in the life of the Father's creation. Joseph the Worker was able to help participate in the deepest mystery of creation. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, "The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work. Thus, if you wish to be close to Christ, we again today repeat, 'Go to Joseph'" (see Genesis 41:44).

In Brothers of Men, René Voillaume of the Little Brothers of Jesus, speaks about ordinary work and holiness: "Now this
holiness (of Jesus) became a reality in the most ordinary circumstances of life, those of word, of the family and the social life of a village, and this is an emphatic affirmation of the fact that the most obscure and humdrum human activities are entirely compatible with the perfection of the Son of God...in relation to this mystery, involves the conviction that the evangelical holiness proper to a child of God is possible in the ordinary circumstances of someone who is poor and obliged to work for his living."

As we honor St. Joseph today, let us not forget his other mighty roles; namely the most chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the protector of the Holy Family, the Patron of the Universal Church, the foster father of Jesus our Lord, and our foster father as well!

The Little Known Purple Scapular

The Amazing new Scapular of Benediction and Protection for Powerful Graces and Protection

The Mother of God and her Son Jesus gave the Purple Scapular to the approved Catholic mystic, Marie-Julie Jahenny, to protect your family from the worst possible natural disasters and supernatural dangers. Jahenny foretold (along with other approved Catholic visionaries) that a worldwide "judgment-in-miniature" known as the Warning is coming to the entire world, followed by great chastisements.

Mary: "Divine wrath will not strike."
Our Lady urged all of us to prominently display this "unknown" Purple Scapular on a wall in our homes. Those who do this "will see their family and home protected... from fires, chastisements, storms, and darkness. They will have light as if it were as plain as day."

She said it is "like a lightning rod beneath which the blows of divine wrath will not strike." Even intruders bent on harm will be struck down.

Word-for-Word from Our Lady

I hail Thee, Jesus crucified,
for granting me life.

I hail Thee with all the joy
of the angels and saints during
Your descent from the Cross.

I hail Thee with the sadness
of Your mother while You rested
on her Immaculate heart and lap.

Repeat 5 times:

O Crux Ave, spes unica,
et Verbum caro factum est.
O Jesus, conqueror of death, save us!

Amen.

This is what the Holy Virgin shows me on Her Immaculate Heart, it is a large scapular, larger than ordinary scapulars, it is a little larger than the palm of the hand. It is a pretty violet, nearly the color of a violet. Here is what is on top: -- in the middle are the three nails which crucified Our Lord on the Cross, they are placed above each other, not quite in the shape of the Cross, and at the point of each nail, there is a drop of purple blood. Above the heads of the nails, there is a kind of large sponge which has pieces of bark that stand out, it is a little like bales of oats. The three drops of blood join to fall into a small chalice painted red, and the chalice is surrounded by a crown of thorns, there are three little Crosses engraved on the front of the chalice. That is the side of the scapular which is on the middle cloak of the Holy Virgin.

I notice that this scapular is held with two violet ties which go over each shoulder, there are three knots on the left shoulder and two on the right.

The other side of the scapular represents the Holy Virgin Mary sitting, holding Her Adorable Son in Her arms, the mouth and the head of Our Lord rest on the heart of the Holy Virgin.

At the bottom of the scapular, and nearly at the feet of Our Lord, is an Angel dressed in white, with curly hair; he has on his head a white crown, his belt is red. He holds in his hands a white cloth with which he wipes the feet of Our Lord. Next to the Angel, on the right side of the scapular, there is an engraved ladder. Behind Our Lord, on the left, is the reed of the Passion painted red, but there is no sponge. The tears of the Holy Virgin flow onto Her breast, to the right and fall to the feet of the Angel. The scapular is edged with a red band and the cords are made of wool.

"Let Me now my dear child" the Virgin Mother said to me, "give you the explanation of this scapular. I am addressing you, My victim and My servant (most likely the spiritual director of Marie-Julie).

"My children of the Cross, for a long time My Son and I have wished to make known this scapular of benediction. This scapular, My children, is modeled on My Heart, because My Heart is the emblem of simplicity and humility, which explains the color of violet. The nails which have pierced the feet and the hands of My Son are barely venerated and are venerable, that is why My Son, in His Divine Wisdom, has had three nails painted on the front of the scapular.

"Those three drops of blood and the chalice represent the generous hearts gathering the blood of My Divine Son. The red sponge will represent My Divine Son drinking, in a certain sense, the sins of His children, but which His adorable mouth refuses.

"I wish that the background (usually) black of the scapular should be violet, but I wish that the nails, the chalice, the sponge and the crown should be on a dark red piece of flannel.

Promises

This first appearance of this scapular will be a new protection for the times of the chastisements, the calamities and the famines. All those who will wear it will be able to go through storms, tempests and darkness, they will have light as in broad daylight. Such is the power of this unknown scapular."

The Holy Virgin presents the scapular to Our Lord who, in His turn says: "I address you My victim and also My victims and My servant, My children of the Cross, I wish to and I come to give you an idea and a deep thought: When taking Me down from the Cross, I was given to My Mother, that descent, that thought, that devotion is little known. I wish that by the reproduction of this scapular, it should enter the hearts of My children of the Cross, and that they hail Me by these three greetings:

(The Crux Ave):

--I hail Thee, Jesus crucified, to let me live.

--I hail Thee with all the joy of the Angels and of the Saints on bringing Thee down from the Cross.

--I hail Thee with all the sorrow of Thy Mother when Thou rested on Her Immaculate heart and on Her lap.

"My children, very few souls think of wiping the adorable wounds on My feet when the blood flows and I wish this representation to be known. Little thought is also given to the tears shed by My Mother during My Passion: those tears are at the feet of the Angel who wipes My sacred feet. By this scapular, I wish you to think about that ladder, that reed and those nails of My Passion.

Promises

"My children, any soul, any person who will possess this scapular, will see his family protected, his house will also be protected, firstly from conflagrations, which will never penetrate it.

"This scapular will crush the ungrateful who will blaspheme My Name in the house where it will be exposed. If an impious enters, he will be so struck that his conversion will occur. All those who will wear it will be protected from thunder, sudden death and accidents. During the chastisements they will be protected.

Whoever places it in the Holy Temple, will drive out the impious and the profanations. Our Lord also adds that by reminding an obstinate soul about this scapular at the time of death, it will reawaken in it faith and conviction, that all those who will think about it and love it, will be spared the pains of the soul, that those who will wear it will be sheltered from all danger as if they possessed Heaven.

"And finally that this scapular will be like a lightning conductor beneath which the blows of just Divine Anger will not strike."
(Translation: O hail to the Cross! Our only hope! And the Word was made flesh.) The first part must be said in Latin as it was given in Latin.

Crux Ave - Prayer 2

I hail you, I adore you, I embrace you, oh adorable Cross of My Savior. Protect us, keep us, save us. Jesus loved you so much, by His example, I love you. By your holy image calm my fears, so that I may only feel peace and confidence.

Informative video:
https://youtu.be/q8-RVxD3JuY

Marie-Julie bio parts 1&2 

https://youtu.be/rhJQX5Nsn10

https://youtu.be/5nBYtuMPlS8

Info primarily from: Catholic City

Divine Mercy Sunday

"I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish,"
Jesus told Faustina, according to her diary, which has been studied and authenticated by the Church over several decades.
"I also promise victory over enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My Own glory." (Diary of Faustina, 48)
Jesus is shown in most versions as raising his right hand in blessing, and pointing with his left hand on his chest from which flow forth two rays: one red and one white (translucent). The depictions often contains the message "Jesus, I trust in You!" (Polish: Jezu ufam Tobie). The rays streaming out have symbolic meaning: red for the blood of Jesus (which is the Life of Souls), and pale for the water (which justify souls) (from Diary - 299). The whole image is symbolic of charity, forgiveness and love of God, referred to as the "Fountain of Mercy". According to the diary of St Faustina, the image is based on her 1931 vision of Jesus.

On February 22, 1931, while staying in Plock, Sister Faustina received Jesus’ order to paint a picture according to the vision shown to her (cf. Diary 47). She tried to fulfill the command, but not knowing painting techniques, she was unable to do it by herself. Still, she did not give up the idea. She kept returning to it and sought help from other sisters and from her confessors. A few years later her superiors sent her to Vilnius (Wilno), where her confessor, Rev. Prof. Michael Sopocko, interested to see what the picture of a hitherto unknown theme would look like, asked the painter Eugene Kazimierowski to paint the picture according to Sister Faustina’s directions. This is the only image that was painted under her direction.

Kazimirowski painted the original image between 
January and June of 1934. During this time St. Faustina had the artist change the face at least 10 times but was still not pleased with it. The picture was finished in June 1934 and hung in
the corridor of the Bernardine Sisters’ convent near St. Michael’s Church in Vilnius, where Father Sopocko was rector. From April 26-28, 1935, during the celebrations concluding the Jubilee Year of the Redemption of the World, the image of The Divine Mercy was transferred to the Ostra Brama [“Eastern Gate” to the city of Vilnius] and placed in a high window so that it could be seen from far away. Here the image was seen for the first time by the public. By permission of Archbishop Romuald Jalbrzykowski, on April 4, 1937, the image was blessed and placed in the St. Michael’s Church in Vilnius.
In 1944, a committee of experts was formed, at the order of Archbishop Jalbrzykowski, to evaluate the image. The experts’ opinion was the the image of The Divine Mercy, painted by E. Kazimierowski was artistically executed and an important contribution to contemporary religious art. You will notice that the Image resembles the Shroud of Turin very closely.

In a decree dated August 3, 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary announced that in order “to ensure that the faithful would observe this day (Divine Mercy Sunday) with intense devotion, the Supreme Pontiff himself established that this Sunday be enriched by a plenary indulgence…so that the faithful might receive in great abundance the gift of the consolation of the Holy Spirit.  In this way, they can foster a growing love for God and for their neighbor, and after they have obtained God’s pardon, they in turn might be persuaded to show a prompt pardon to their brothers and sisters.”

The plenary indulgence is granted (under the usual conditions of a sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and a prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on Divine Mercy Sunday, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, recite the Our Father and the Creed, and also adding a devout prayer (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!).

Additional provisions are offered for those who are impeded from fulfilling these requirements, but who wish to acquire a plenary indulgence. 

While the readings and prayers for Mass on this day remain unchanged (they reflect perfectly on Our Lord’s Divine Mercy) the Holy See offers this reflection:

The full text of the decree of the Apostolic
Penitentiary may be found at: www.mercysunday.com.

The Gospel of the Second Sunday of Easter narrates the wonderful things Christ the Lord accomplished on the day of the Resurrection during His first public appearance: “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.  Then the disciples were glad to see the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered in the upper room, the doors were locked for fear of the Jews.  Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then, He showed them His Hands and His Side.  The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 

He said to them again, “Peace be to you.  As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.”  Having said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them.  Whose sins you shall retain are retained.” ~John 20:23

In addition, the decree requires that parish priests “should inform the faithful in the most suitable way of the Church’s salutary provision.  They should promptly and generously be willing to hear their confessions.  On Divine Mercy Sunday, after celebrating Mass they should lead the prayers that have been given above and they should also encourage the faithful to perform acts of mercy as often as they can.”

Jesus said that we either enter by the door of Mercy or by the door of Justice. With the way the world is ... JUSTICE can't be far off. This *could* be (I'm no prophet!) the last Divine Mercy Sunday we're afforded before that Day of Justice.
Divine Mercy Sunday is SUCH a BLESSING and OH SO IMPORTANT; yet daily, we have an opportunity to pray this special chaplet for the good of souls everywhere. My daily 3pms, include several prayers, petitions and meditations which include, begging Jesus to empty purgatory into heaven. The 3 o'clock hour is most important because it is when Jesus died for us and He permits us this special grace and mercy DAILY if we but take the time to honor His precious gift.
When I tell folks they're in my daily 3pms. This is what it means, to be part of my prayers for the world and included in the Divine Mercy Chaplet for their spiritual and temporal needs.

I ask all to join me in my daily petition for the Church Suffering to be brought into heaven during this special hour by reciting this short prayer: "Eternal Father, please take all the pain and suffering of the souls in purgatory and unite it to the Perfect, Holy Passion of Jesus, His True Presence in the Eucharist and the benefits and graces of all Masses said this day and please empty purgatory into heaven daily during this special hour of Divine Mercy, especially those that have no one to pray for them; according to the promise of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit" Amen.

The way the world is just getting worse and worse. I URGE you with all that is within me ... GO TO CONFESSION, PRAY FOR YOUR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS & THE WHOLE WORLD; THAT ALL BE SAVED AND NONE BE LOST! Do NOT be afraid of Confession, no matter how long it's been or what you've done! NOTHING is bigger than God's MERCY! The priest (the *man*) acts In persona Christi, that is in the place of Christ. Jesus uses the priest to act through (same as the Consecration at Mass) for YOUR benefit that your humble & contrite heart may hear the words of mercy and forgiveness.

Our Lord Speaks to St. Faustina:

“Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flow down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to Confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls.” (Diary #1602)

I GUARANTEE that when you leave the Confessional, you WILL FEEL the joyful grace and you'll be able to receive Holy Communion! To be reunited to Jesus in this intimate manner and to know and feel the powerful supernatural grace that the Sacraments impart to us through Holy Mother Church ... well you'll just have to experience it! But you won't be afraid of Confession any more :) 

SO DON'T PUT IT OFF!!!! PLEASE!!!! 

2 Corinthians 6:2 refers to Redemption in the last days: "For He says, "In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favor, NOW is the day of salvation."
Just as Jesus said: "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND."

More on Divine Mercy: click HERE.

Although Churches are open again, this will help shut-ins and those that can't perform the requirements (for good reason).

Divine Mercy Novena - begins Good Friday

JESUS gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena. for instance on the last day, JESUS asked her to pray for 'lukewarm and indifferent', of whom He said: "These souls cause Me more suffering than any others;...' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

In her diary, St. Faustina noted that Jesus told her:

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."