Our community began public First Saturday devotions in early 2013. Our foundress, Mother Mary Gabriel, was always strongly committed to the message of Our Lady of Fatima, and in particular to Our Lady’s request for the Five First Saturdays devotion for reparation, which is less known. Our Lady promised “to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation” all those who practice the Five First Saturdays. We urge you to read more below about the history of this devotion and reasons for reparation.
In 1917, Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children – Lucia Santos and Jacinta and Francisco Marto – in Cova da Iria, a field in Fatima, Portugal. She asked for the daily Rosary and penance for sinners and initiated the splendid miracle of the sun. Not many know that Our Lady later appeared to Sister Lucia asking for the devotion of the Five First Saturdays in reparation for the sins against her Immaculate Heart.
She said to Sister Lucia:
Look, my daughter, at my heart surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me.
Reasons for Reparation
Sister Lucia discerned that there are Five First Saturdays in particular in reparation for the five great blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
- Her Immaculate Conception
- Her Perpetual Virginity
- Her Divine Maternity
- For taking devotion to her from the hearts of the young
- Desecrating her shrine and images
We have begun First Saturday Devotions at Casa Maria as a community. We invite you to start First Saturday Devotions, and we are happy to share with you the materials we use on First Saturdays. These include prayers and Marian hymns that you may want to use as you undertake the Five First Saturdays.
How to Make the First Five Saturdays
In order to fulfill the requirement that Our Lady asked for those making the Five First Saturdays, one must, with the intention of making reparation for the five great blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
- Go to Confession within 8 days before or after the first Saturdays.
- Receive Holy Communion in the state of grace.
- Say five decades of the Holy Rosary.
- Meditate for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary (separate from saying the Rosary).
We have available a First Saturdays card that contains a summary of the reasons for this devotion as well as the steps to complete the First Saturdays. We are happy to send you our First Saturday cards if you email us.
First Saturdays Program
You, too, can begin promoting the First Saturday devotions. We have available a First Saturdays program that you can use for your parish.
If you would like any Marian hymns to accompany your First Saturdays, the lyrics and sheet music are available for download below.
Dear Lady of Fatima
Fatima Ave
Immaculate Mary [The Lourdes Hymn]
Hail Holy Queen