First Saturday

Given to St. Theresa Co-Cathedral - Honolulu

Our Lady of Fatima has asked us to keep the First Five Saturday devotion not only for our own good and the good of the world, but more importantly, for reparation against the offenses to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The following is what Michelle Laque Johnson of EWTN wrote:

The world is becoming increasingly de-Christianized. Abortion, now known as “womens’ rights.” Euthanasia, now known as “mercy killing.” Same-sex “marriage,” now considered a “civil right.” Violence, sexual perversity, body mutilation, seeking altered states of consciousness, the occult. What is a Christian to do?

The answer was given to us in 1917 by Our Lady at a little known place known as Fatima. She requested what are now known as the First Saturday Devotions to make reparation for blasphemies and offenses against her Immaculate Heart and for world peace...

“Many consider the First Five Saturdays to be a forgotten part of the Fatima message, and very few people observe them,” said EWTN Chaplain Father Joseph Mary...

“This devotion has four parts – all four should be made in a spirit of reparation for blasphemy and ingratitude and for peace in the world,” Fr. Joseph continued. “First, one should go to confession, generally eight days before or after the First Saturday of the month; Second, one should receive Holy Communion on the First Saturday of the month; Third, recite five decades of the Rosary; and fourth, meditate for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.”

There are great benefits for those who comply with this request. Our Lady told Sister Lucia she would “assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months confess, receive Holy Communion, pray a rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour meditating on the 15 mysteries with the intention of offering reparation.”

Many ask why Our Lady asked her children to observe FIVE first Saturdays. Our Lady told Sister Lucia the five Saturdays are to make reparation for the five kinds of offenses and blasphemies uttered against her Immaculate Heart. The offenses are 1.) against her Immaculate Conception, 2.) against her virginity, 3.) against her Divine maternity, 4.) by those who openly seek to foster in the hearts of children indifference, or even hatred, for this Immaculate Mother, and 5.) by those who directly outrage her holy images.

What if you’ve already made the Five First Saturdays? Should you do it again?

Said Father Joseph: “There is always a need for reparation. Although we can trust in the promises of Our Lady that we have satisfied her desires for ourselves personally, nonetheless, it will still be beneficial for us in making reparation for sins which continue against her Immaculate Heart and for obtaining world peace.”

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Baby Jesus - Sts. Peter and Paul, Honolulu

Today the Catholic Church observes the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.  It is a good way to remember that whenever we say His name,  we should do it with all reverence and love.  It is also a good way to make reparation for those who take His Most Holy Name in vain.

"...God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 2:10-12

Source

In a world where "OMG" is said or texted more often than the words"thank you", let us whenever we hear Jesus' name taken in vain, kindly correct that Jesus Holy Name should be said very reverently.  If we cannot do this then the very least the we should do is bow our heads when His name is taken in vain and pray softly: "ADMIRABLE IS THE NAME OF GOD."

Aspiration source: Our Lady of the Rosary Library

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzan

Holy Family - Saints Peter and Paul, Honolulu

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.  They were good friends as well as staunch defenders of Holy Mother Church.  They fought the heretical Arians and this caused them much trouble and suffering.  Both were bishops.

We live in a world where not only are bishops and priests put in positions where they must defend the Church, but also ordinary Catholics.  What a blessing it is when we have a good friend who gives us moral support when we must speak out in defense of our beloved Church.

Sts.  Basil and Gregory, help us when we are called to defend attacks on the Catholic Church.  Help us to remember to be strong and not to be afraid as God will be there to support us.

Happy New Year! - 2014 - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God - Resolutions

Our Lady of the Unborn - Blue Army Shrine, Washington, NJ

Today is the first day of the new year!  Attending Mass on a day dedicated to the Holy Mother of God is a beautiful way to start the new year!  We can also start anew not only with the New Year's resolutions most of us have already made but with daily resolutions we can make.  These daily resolutions will be easier to keep because it expires at the end of the day.  Then at night, when we make our examination of conscience, we can see the areas we need improving and it will facilitate making our resolution for the next day.

As always, we must rely on God for His help and guidance.  Alone we will surely fall and become discouraged.  So, make a resolution, pray for the grace to keep it and trust in God. Remember also to invoke the help our our dear Blessed Mother.  She will not let us down.  If we fail to keep our resolutions, let us not become discouraged and give up but focus instead on the Lord and resolve to try harder the next day.

May our Lord and Lady grant you and your families a very blessed new year.