Lesson 1: Understanding the Five First Saturdays Devotion By John C. Preiss

Objective:

To help students and families understand the origins, purpose, and practice of the Five First Saturdays devotion, and why it is important in making reparation for offenses against the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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1. Background: The Message to Sister Lucia

In May 1930, Our Lord explained to Sister Lucia, one of the Fatima visionaries, the reason for the Five First Saturdays devotion. This devotion was requested as an act of reparation for five specific types of blasphemies and offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

- Blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception

- Blasphemies against her perpetual virginity

- Blasphemies against her divine maternity, including refusal to accept her as the Mother of all humanity

- Efforts to instill hatred or indifference toward Mary in the hearts of children

- Insults or outrages against her sacred images

These offenses deeply wound the Heart of Mary, and Our Lord asks that we help make reparation for them through this special devotion.

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2. What is the Five First Saturdays Devotion?

The devotion involves performing four spiritual practices on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

- Go to Confession (within 8 days before or after the first Saturday, with the intention of reparation)

- Receive Holy Communion

- Pray five decades of the Rosary

- Meditate for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary (in addition to praying the Rosary)

All these actions should be done with a sincere heart and the specific intention of making reparation for the offenses against Mary.

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3. The Promise

Our Lady promised that those who fulfill these conditions on five consecutive first Saturdays will receive “all the graces necessary for salvation” at the hour of death. This is a powerful assurance of Mary’s intercession and a sign of God’s mercy for those who console her Immaculate Heart.

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4. Why Five Saturdays?

Jesus explained to Sister Lucia that there are five main types of offenses against Mary, and so five Saturdays are requested—one for each type of blasphemy. God asks for this devotion not just as a ritual, but as a heartfelt act of love and reparation.

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5. Living the Devotion

- Encourage families to practice the Five First Saturdays devotion together.

- Discuss the meaning of reparation and why it is important to make up for the wrongs done to Mary.

- Reflect on how this devotion can help us grow in love for Mary and Jesus, and bring peace to our own hearts and to the world.

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Discussion Questions:

- Why do you think Jesus wants us to make reparation for offenses against His Mother?

- How can practicing this devotion help us grow closer to Mary and to Jesus?

- What can we do in our daily lives to honor Mary and make up for the ways she is offended?

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Activity:

As a family or class, choose a first Saturday to begin the devotion. Prepare together by learning about the Rosary mysteries, planning to attend Mass, and setting aside time for prayer and meditation.

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By embracing the Five First Saturdays devotion, we respond to Our Lady’s request at Fatima and help bring consolation to her Immaculate Heart, drawing closer to Jesus through His Mother.

www.fatimafamily.org

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