First Fridays and First Saturdays

First Fridays and First Saturdays - The Devotions Explained  Published by CTS

This booklet does precisely what it sets out to do: to explain these two popular Catholic devotions.  It also goes further, including a significant number of prayers relevant to each devotion.

Starting with the First Fridays in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it explains the history of the devotion.  Placing it in the context of the tradition of devotion to Our Lord's love flowing from his heart,  the booklet explains how the devotion in its current form spings from the visions of St Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673 - 1675.  It then outlines the 12 promises made to St Margaret Mary, and also how the promises should be rightly interpreted.  Finally, this section summarises the elements of the devotion: sacramental confession; Holy Communion received on nine consecutive First Fridays; a Holy Hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Then follows a section including a guide to a good confession, complete with examination of conscience, a guide to receiving Holy Communion devoutly, and suggestions for a Holy Hour.  This is all accompanied by a wealth of prayers, from short Acts to the Litany of the Sacred Heart.

The second half of the booklet follows a similar pattern.  The devotion to Our Lady's Immaculate Heart is placed in the context of the Gospels and ancient tradition, and then the story of Fatima apparitions (1917) is told to explain the current form of the devotion.  Finally, this section summarises the elements of the devotion: sacramental confession; Holy Communion received on five consecutive First Saturdays; the recitation of the Rosary, whilst meditating on the mysteries for at least 15 minutes.

There is then a guide to praying the rosary, followed by many other prayers in honour of Our Lady, ranging from Sub Tum Praesidium to the Litany of Loreto, and including many others, including the four great Marian anthems.

The booklet concludes with a brief explanatory note on indulgences.

This is clear, well written and very valuable, whether as instruction or reminder: it's the kind of thing they should be teaching in the Catholic Schools, but somehow...