The post beneath this will have a list of prayers for the First Friday devotions we’re starting this Friday. These are the prayers that I use myself, so if anyone else would like to join in, I heartily encourage them to do so.
If you prefer not to join us direclty in the First Friday devotion, or if you can't make it to Mass, then these should be considered optional. Some people prefer the Rosary as their prayer against abortion anyway, and that is entirely up to the individual. I do think, however, that the prayers below are the most appropriate given what we’re trying to accomplish.
But I do want to include a word of caution.
It is common to put a list of the promises made by Christ for anyone doing the First Friday devotion for 9 months running (I'll include these promises at the end of this post). This devotion should not – absolutely NOT – be considered some kind of incantation that will magically or mysteriously gain us all of these promises. It doesn’t work that way, and to believe so would be to believe in superstition.
Instead, the promises of Christ in this case are strictly dependant upon our own cooperation and right attitude. He offers us these things freely, but the object is to turn our collective hearts toward Him, and to make us better followers of his Word. Without that, you could go to every First Friday from now till the end of time, and it would do you no good whatsoever.
I can’t attest personally to the impact that all nine First Fridays might have on your heart and mind. Even though I’ve attended First Fridays off and on for years, I have never been able to string together more than half a dozen at a time. However, I can attest personally to the fact that, if you do this in the right spirit, the First Friday devotion can change your life and your relationship with Christ. I've managed six in a row, and in those times I was far less tempted by sin than in times when I was not going to First Fridays. I found it far easier to find time for God and prayer. I was more centered on Christ than I was before or since, more centered on the Father, and more centered on the Holy Spirit. The fulfillment of the promises springs from this change of heart and attitude toward God.
The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
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