Our Lady’s request and promise to Sr. Lucia on July 13th, 1917:
Behold, my daughter, my Heart encircled with thorns, with which ungrateful men pierce It at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Give me consolation, you, at least; and make known on my behalf that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all who on the First Saturday of five consecutive months confess their sins, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to my Immaculate Heart.
1. Confess and receive Holy Communion on the First Saturday of five consecutive months. On February 15th, 1926 Sr. Lucia, in answer to a prayer, received from our Blessed Lord an assurance that one could confess within the window of eight days prior or eight days after the First Saturday (the same as one of the usual conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence), providing that one receive Holy Communion in a state of grace.
2. Recite at least five decades of the Rosary at any time or place on the First Saturday, though it is most appropriate to do so publically, before the Blessed Sacrament, before or after Mass.
3. Mediate for an additional fifteen minutes on one or more of the various mysteries of the Rosary, in compliance with Our Lady’s requests to “keep me company fifteen minutes while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.” In 1940 it was clarified by Bishop Jose Correia da Silva, the first bishop of Fatima, that the initial recitation of the Rosary does not count for this fifteen minute mediation. This was also confirmed by Sr. Lucia, herself. While it is ideal to mediate on one mystery every month for this additional fifteen minutes of mediation, one is given great latitude, and may mediate even on all the mysteries, according to one’s own attraction or devotional preference.
These meditations can be accomplished by meditative reading on one or more of the mysteries of the Rosary, which would include lectio divina, or by praying an additional Rosary or otherwise using Rosary beads, or whatever means that are suitable for each individual. This additional fifteen minute mediation may take place at any time or place on the First Saturday, but once again it would preferable in front of the Blessed Sacrament, before or after the Mass.
4. And lastly these exercises must be done in reparation, and as was clarified to Sr. Lucia on May 29th, 1930, in reparation for the five principle blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary (thus five consecutive First Saturdays): (1) blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception; (2) blasphemies against her perpetual virginity; (3) blasphemies against the divine and spiritual Maternity of Mary; (4) blasphemies involved in the disrespect or rejection of her images; and finally (5) the blasphemy of neglecting to implant in the hearts of children a knowledge and love of her Immaculate Heart.
If you can find it, the prayer book "Mary, My Hope" contains beautiful meditations on each mystery in the Rosary Novena section.
ReplyDeleteI hasten to add, that you will want the 1954 or earlier edition of this prayer book.
DeleteBeautiful prayer from the book, "Mary My Hope", copyright 1954, 1959 and 1961:
ReplyDeleteMost glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, we are deeply afflicted by the many evils that surround us in this life, but especially are we grieved, Immaculate Virgin, when we listen to the dreadful insults and blasphemies uttered against thee.
How this wicked language offends the infinite majesty of God and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. How it provokes His anger and causes us to fear the terrible effects of His justice. If the sacrifice of our lives could prevent such outrages and blasphemies, gladly we would offer it, for we desire, most holy Mother, to love and honor thee with all our hearts, such being the will of God. And because we love thee, we will do all in our power to make thee loved and honored by all men.
Meanwhile our merciful Mother, sweetest comforter of the afflicted, accept this act of reparation which we offer to thee in our own name, on behalf of our families and on behalf of all those who blaspheme thee, not knowing what they say.
Obtain for them from Almighty God, the grace of conversion and thus render more manifest and more glorious, they kindness, thy power and thy great mercy. May they join with us in proclaiming thee blessed among women, the Immaculate Virgin and most compassionate Mother of God. Hail Mary (three times).