First Friday Prayer To The Sacred Heart

First Friday Sacred Heart Devotion

The First Friday Devotion was given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque by Jesus who also gave her the Twelve Promises.

We are fortunate that we and our children were able to complete this devotion at least once. We helped each the children make all nine Fridays after their First Communions. Even though we can always improve our devotion in the future, it is neat to know that all of us have been able to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus in this way.

The Sacred Heart coloring page is fun for the Feast of the Sacred Heart which is on the second Friday after Trinity Sunday; or during June, which is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

This devotion is also great for teaching how much Jesus loves children.

• Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
• Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us!

Sacred Heart Of Jesus Coloring Page

Sacred Heart Activities

Every once in awhile it is good to refresh children's memory about the First Friday Devotion, especially when you've skipped a First Friday. Good Sacred Heart activities include:

• Reading Jesus' Promises of the Sacred Heart.
• Saying a prayer to the Sacred Heart.
• And coloring a stained glass Sacred Heart coloring page.
• Go to Mass on the feast of the Sacred Heart.
• Save a seat for Jesus at the dinner table.
• Start the Nine First Friday Devotion. (Mark them on your calendar!)
• We also have First Saturday and an Our Lady of Fatima coloring page here.
• And more Catholic coloring pages to print here.

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Because He loves us so much, Jesus chose St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a simple nun, to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart.

Through several apparitions He taught her a devotion that was to become known as the Nine First Fridays and the Holy Hour of Reparation to His Sacred Heart.

He also asked that the feast of the Sacred Heart be established.

Eventually she received the support of Blessed Claude La Colombiere, the community's confessor for a time, who declared that the visions were genuine.

On top of trying to keep the First Friday devotion, you can have a family holy hour that you keep at a regular time each week or month. For years and years we've had our holy hour right after Saturday morning Mass.

It's been a great way for our family to remember the First Saturday devotion. It has helped all our children make both devotions.

As our older children have gotten their driver licenses, they've been able to help us cover that hour more easily.

Perhaps you can do the same? It's wonderful to have this as a family habit to have help remembering the right weekend.

Prayer To The Sacred Heart

My favorite reference to the devotions for First Friday are in the New Marian Missal right after the Ordinary of the Mass.

It includes the eleven wonderful Promises that Jesus gave to St. Margaret Mary and the nine First Fridays promise.

Devotions For First Friday

More Prayers To The Sacred Heart

The Twelve Promises Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Jesus made these promises to those who consecrate themselves and make reparation to His Sacred Heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their homes.
3. I will comfort them in their afflictions. 
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all in death.
5. I will bestow abundant blessing upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and 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 the in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all 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 the sacraments; My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment." – Soul Assurance Prayer Plan, 1945

First Friday Devotion Obligations

1. Go to Confession and Communion

Go to Confession and Communion on the first Friday of each month for nine consecutive months and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

As with most devotions that parishes practice, this First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart should be made publicly. This is the Mass to attend if you are starting your nine First Fridays.

If there is no such public devotion, make the devotion privately; going to Confession and Communion and pray for the intentions of the reigning Pope.

We post a reminder in our near monthly ezine.  Would you like a reminder of upcoming First Fridays and Saturdays?

2. Holy Hour of Reparation

These should help warm our First Friday devotion to His Sacred Heart:

• A related devotion is this: Eucharistic Adoration is to be made for one hour on Thursdays (this is also a time to keep a holy hour for priests). The Holy Hour can be made alone or as part of a group with formal prayers. Jesus said to his sleeping Apostles on Holy Thursday night, "Could you not watch one hour with me?" -Matthew 26:40 DRB
• Celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart the Friday after Trinity Sunday, and make the Act of Reparation, and receive Communion on the Feast.
• Be encouraged to make the Novena for the nine days ahead of the Feast of the Sacred Heart which begins on Thursday of the week before, the feast of Corpus Christi.

3. Be An Apostle Of The Sacred Heart

Consecrate yourself personally to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and recite the Consecration prayer daily for One Fold and One Shepherd.

Participate in the Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion daily if possible for with the intention to make Reparation.

Offer a Holy Hour once a week for Reparation; and encourage others to do the same. 

Consider yourself encouraged. :-)

Sources:

• Soul Assurance Prayer Plan, 1945.

Feast Of The Sacred Heart

The Mass on the feast of the Sacred Heart is beautiful! 

Sacred Heart Holy Hour Website

Isa Grimer in England has a wonderful website that explains the Holy Hour and Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey's Enthronement to the Sacred Heart in the home and his monthly night adoration in the home.

Fr. Mateo was also devoted to St. Margaret Mary Alaquoque after his visit to her tomb. The story is wonderful and the books on his work and life read like a thrilling adventure. May God grant us many more such valiant priests.

• Jesus King of Love, by Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey. https://www.cmjbooks.com/collections/books/products/jesus-king-of-love
• The Firebrand, The life of Fr. Mateo by Marcel Bocquet, SS.CC.

For more information see Isa's very informative Sacred Heart Holy Hour website here.

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All for the love of You, my God!