I'm just back from the first Saturday Mass with the family. It is also St Blaise today. We all got the blessing of the throat. "Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
A First Saturday meditation on the prophecy of Simeon: Heavenly Mother, I enter into Your sorrow at the prophecy of Simeon when you presented with St. Joseph the child Jesus in the Temple. The joy you felt upon presenting Jesus to the Father was taken away by the words spoken by Simeon, “…and your heart will be pierced also…(Luke 2:34) Oh, my sorrowful Mother, in these words was the knowledge given to you how many would reject your Motherly embrace and in rejecting you, would also be rejecting your Jesus. How many souls were contained in your Hearts that would reject the many Graces that you wanted to offer them. My sweet Mother, to make reparation to you for all the rejection you suffered upon seeing those souls that would not only reject your Jesus, but would also reject you, I bring you the love of all the faithful throughout the ages. I bring you the love of Jesus, your Son; of the Holy Spirit, your spouse; and Our Heavenly Father, to comfort and console you in this great sorrow. I will remain always with you upon your lap begging together with you that the Kingdom come on earth, as it is in Heaven. Oh my Jesus, please remove from me all that keeps me from living in your Holy Divine Will. If there is anything of which I am unaware of that keeps me outside of Your Will, make it known to me that I may repent of it so as to live firmly in Your Will. I ask you to make me into that image you had of me when I was first in Your Thoughts, and do not allow me to distort that image. May I grow ever more in Your Light as to form a Heaven for you on earth and to be united with you forever for all Eternity. Amen LB
It was a wonderful Mass this morning and as Mac said it was Saint Blaise today as well so we all received the blessing of the throat. I really love First Saturday mornings. This morning I lit a candle in front of the statue of the Blessed Mother. When I was done praying I looked up from the kneeler and saw that her eyes are actually cast downward on you. I had never noticed this before because I have always knelt and said my prayers in the pew. Having glasses I always thought that her eyes were closed as she appears to be in prayer. It gave me a bit of a start. A good one.
If you can’t get there due to the storm -remember that God allowed the storms and He looks at your desire to make your First Friday and First Saturday. Offer Him your desire and He will be as happy as if you were able to be there. Just sit quietly with Our Blessed Mother at home, make a spiritual Communion, get to confession - if you were unable to go prior to today, then go after the storm within 7 days, and ask Her to give you the grace to meditate on a mystery of the Rosary for 15 minutes. You will make Jesus and Our Lady very happy! God bless you.
A friend I am in RCIA with was confirmed this morning at Mass which was such a blessing to be able to be there for. He is leaving for a trip to Rome this week and Father thought we should make him a Catholic before he left. He has been in RCIA for 3 years now and he finally made it!! What a great First Saturday.
Got both Friday and Saturday in! Praise be to God. Eight more Fridays and two more Saturdays .(I’ve made several 5 First Saturdays over the years but can’t do too many IMHO.) The First Friday’s are harder. Determined to do it this year if God allows me the time.
A very big weekend coming up. First Friday and First Saturday of April and Sunday is the feast of Divine Mercy. I was snowbound last First Friday, so this will be the first of nine for me.
So I'm wondering whether to go to Confession on the First Saturday or on Divine Mercy Sunday? I think one confession counts for both?
Either day should be fine unless i am unaware of a requirement for divine mercy confessing the same day. I know for First Saturday so long as you confess within a week or so you should be ok.
Yes - one Confession would county for both as you have 8 days between either one. I would go this week if possible.
The question of Confession for the indulgence attached to Divine Mercy Sunday can be very confusing because some people interpret what's written in St. Faustina's diary to mean that Confession and Communion are required on the Sunday. According to this article on the EWTN website, that's an incorrect interpretation and all that's required is that the person be in a state of grace (no mortal sins but that would be a requirement for receiving Communion at any time): https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/mercy_sunday.htm I have read other articles about the Divine Mercy indulgence similar to the one on EWTN. One such article referred to the Archbishop of Krakow saying that Confession any time during Lent would suffice for the Divine Mercy indulgence.
Bump! Get these done people while there is still time. If you have little ones at home have them do them too. You just may be saving your soul and theirs. The Mercy of God has given us these very special devotions that few other generations of Catholics have been blessed to have. I think this is because it will be much harder to attain Heaven today so in His great Mercy God is giving us great help. Use it. We really have no excuse not to.
