We were warned. The problems in the Church, in souls, and in societies, were identified by Heaven long before Vatican II.
And long before Vatican II, the solution was provided.
On July 13, 1917, during the third apparition at Fatima, Our Lady warned that if mankind did not repent God was “going to punish the world for its crimes by means of war, hunger, persecution of the Church and of the Holy Father.”
But here’s Mary’s promise:
To forestall this, I shall come to ask for the Consecration of Russia to My Immaculate Heart and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If they heed my requests, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace.
So there it is. A promise and a request.
One request was for the Pope to do something, and the other request was for the faithful to do something.
As Catholics, we waste so much energy on what the Pope can do or not do to solve problems in the Church or society. But it is within our power to
- do our part,
- encourage others to do their part,
- and also do more than others in order to offer that up for them.
All that is necessary is for a soul to sit silently and listen to the voice of Mary, Our Blessed Mother, who was so concerned for her children that she came down from heaven to warn us of danger and then promise us a solution.
The Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays
Catholic brethren: heed the requests of our Lady for our times. Do not neglect our Mother’s wishes. Mary does not ask much of us in this crisis. Do the little that she asks for God’s greater glory and the salvation of souls.
The requests are these: pray one third of the Holy Rosary every day (five decades) and make the following devotion on Five First Saturdays consecutively. Do this in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady.
1. All in a Spirit of reparation
Every sin detracts from the glory of God. Reparation seeks to offer glory to God in penance for yourself and others. It also seeks to avert God’s wrath. Consider the prayer on Thursday after Ash Wednesday:
O God, Who by sin art offended, and by penance appeased, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people making supplication to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thine anger, which we deserve for our sins.
Our Lady says that the Five First Saturdays are part of averting God’s wrath in our time. The final battle is between the Serpent and “The Woman” (Rev. XII). That might be why Our God has revealed this devotion in our time through The Woman. Let us fight on the side of The Woman.
2. Confession in the spirit of reparation
Remember your death. Consider the just judgment seat of Christ and confess before His tribunal.
Even if you cannot make it to confession on the First Saturday, at least your monthly confession can suffice.
3. Reparatory Communion
This is the central act of this devotion. Make your Holy Communion with proper preparation, fasting, and in a state of grace.
If you are prevented for a just cause, permission from a priest can dispense this to the Sunday Communion.
4. Recitation of one third of the Holy Rosary (Five decades)
Think about your death and make this the best Rosary before you die. Remember to offer it in a spirit of reparation.
5. 15-minutes of Mental Prayer
Mental prayer is the second level in the Nine Levels of Prayer. This mental prayer must meditate on one or more of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
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Consider, brethren, that this present difficulties will soon be safely under the heel of our Lady. Only heed her requests so that God’s judgement will soon be accomplished. Then our children’s children’s children will tell the tale of how these problems in our times were averted by the Mother of God and many saints.
