See, my daughter, my Heart encircled by thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Do you, at least, strive to console me. Tell them that I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all those who, in order to make reparation to me, on the First Saturday of five successive months, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, say five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on the … mysteries of the Rosary.

What are the Five First Saturdays?

The Five First Saturdays devotion is a request made by Our Lady of Fátima. The Blessed Mother promised to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation all who, as an act of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on the first five Saturdays of consecutive months [1, 2]:

1. Go to confession
   • The sacramental confession can be received within twenty days either before or after the reception of Communion, as the Holy See’s Apostolic Penitentiary has decreed, provided the communicant is in a state of grace for Communion.
2. Receive Holy Communion on the First Saturday
   • Reception of Holy Communion must take place within twenty-four hours of the first Saturday. The reception of Communion need not be part of participating in a Mass.
3. Say five decades of the Rosary
4. Keep Mary company for fifteen minutes meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary 
   • The fifteen minutes of meditation are in addition to the recitation of the Rosary. [1]

First Saturday Devotions at OLOL

Here at Our Lady of Light, we observe First Saturdays with Mass on the first Saturday of each month, with additional opportunities to fulfill the devotion:

1. Go to confession within 20 days. We offer confession immediately after the First Saturday Mass, as well as several times throughout the week. Please visit our Worship page for our latest schedule for confessions. If you are homebound, please contact our Visitation Ministry about arranging for confession at home.
2. Receive Holy Communion within 24 hours of the First Saturday. In addition to the First Saturday morning Mass, you can also receive Holy Communion at one of our Saturday vigil Masses. Please visit our Worship page for our latest Mass times. If you are homebound, please contact our Visitation Ministry about receiving the Eucharist at home.
3. Say five decades of the Rosary. While you can say the Rosary on your own, if you would like to pray it with others, our parishioners gather 45 minutes before daily Mass to pray the Rosary together, Monday through Friday. Please visit our Worship page for our latest daily Mass schedule.
4. Keep Mary company for fifteen minutes meditating on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary (this is in addition to reciting it). Looking to go deeper in your meditation? Stop by our parish office during office hours to receive a Rosary pamphlet with the 15 mysteries, or visit an online Rosary resource like this one by CMRI, with images and 10 reflections on each mystery.