Eucharistic Reparation of the First Fridays

The devotion of the nine consecutive First Fridays is the practical heart of the revelation of the Sacred Heart to St Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Twelfth of the Twelve Promises which the Saint transmitted in writing to her spiritual director Fr Claude La Colombière SJ (Visitation of Paray-le-Monial, 1675) says, in the textual words of the revelation: «In the excess of the mercy of my Heart, I promise that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who shall communicate on nine First Fridays of the month consecutively the grace of final penitence: they shall not die in my disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments, and my divine Heart shall become their secure refuge in this last hour.» The Decree of the Sacred Penitentiary of 9 June 1899, in view of the consecration of the world to the Sacred Heart made by Leo XIII (encyclical Annum Sacrum), granted plenary indulgence to those persons who fulfil this devotion. Friday was chosen as the day of the Passion; the First day of the month, as an act of the offering of the totality of time.

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, on this first Friday of the month of (N.) consecrated to you, I offer you the sacramental Communion I have received as an act of reparation for the sins of the world, especially:

• for sacrilegious and unworthy Communions;
• for the coldness of Christians before the tabernacle;
• for the desecration of churches and of consecrated hosts;
• for the offences which men direct to your Most Holy Name;
• for the forgetfulness of your real presence among us.

Relying on the promise you made to St Margaret Mary, I ask you for the grace of final penitence: that I may not die in your disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments, and that your divine Heart may be my secure refuge in the last hour.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you.

Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.