One of the most important ways one can honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to practice the First Friday Devotion.
Our Lord requested Catholics to practise the First Friday Devotion during one of His revelations to St Margaret Mary Alacoque.
- Jesus told her that he wanted her to tell people of His infinite love for mankind.
- He revealed His Sacred Heart on a throne of flames, transparent as crystal, surrounded by a crown of thorns signifying the sins of mankind, with a cross above it. Jesus told her of his desire that he should be honoured through the display of this image of his heart, with the promise that all who did so would be specially blessed.
- He revealed Himself in glory, with his five wounds shining like suns, and he then showed her his heart on fire with love for mankind, a love that unfortunately was often ignored or treated with contempt.
- He finally asked that the first Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi should be dedicated as a feast in honour of his Sacred Heart, when people should receive Holy Communion in reparation.
- Our Lord made Twelve Promises, in these revelations, to those who made reparation to the Sacred Heart, including The Great Promise.
The Promises
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their families
- I will bless every house in which a picture of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
- I will console them in all their difficulties.
- I will be their refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
- I will shed abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in My Heart a fountain and boundless ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent soul shall rise up speedily to great perfection.
- I will give priests the power of touching the hardest hearts.
- Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
12. The Great Promise
I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all who communicate an the first Friday of the month for nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My displeasure nor without the sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
These promises have been endorsed by successive Popes, and were explicitly mentioned in the bull of St Margaret Mary's canonisation authorised by Benedict XV.
How to achieve these Promises? Do what Our Lord asks:
- Be in a state of grace.
- Go to Confession on the First Friday, or if inconvenient at that time, go to Confession within eight days either before or after the First Friday.
- Go to Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion on the First Friday.
- Make an Act of Reparation for the sins of makind.
- Do all of the above for nine consecutive First Fridays.
Gaining a Papal Indulgence during First Friday Devotions?
One may gain a Papal Indulgence during the First Friday Devotion, if:
- The conditions of confession and holy communion are met as above; and
- One recites one Our Father and one Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father
