Begin your First Saturdays with St. Joseph

Do you know that Our Lady of Fatima appeared again to Lucia eight years after her final visit at Fatima?

In 1925, Our Lady and the Child Jesus appeared to Lucia while she was living in a convent in Spain. Our Lady had another message she needed Lucia to share with the world.

The Child Jesus said to Sr. Lucia:

“Have compassion on the heart of your most holy Mother, covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation.”

Our Lady then told Sr. Lucia about the First Saturdays devotion as a way of making reparation for the sins of others. She said:

“I promise to assist [those who practice the devotion of 5 First Saturdays] at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls.”

What a beautiful promise!

It’s even more moving when you consider that May 1, which falls on a first Saturday this year, is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker. 

As you may know, Pope Francis has declared 2021 the Year of St. Joseph. We pray to St. Joseph for many things…one of which is for a happy death.

As Catholics, we are called to remember our death often. In Latin, this is called “memento mori.” This is not meant to be morbid. Rather, it reminds us to make the best use of our time on earth, and to always keep our eyes on heaven! 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this about praying for a happy death (paragraph 1014):

“The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of our death. In the litany of the saints, for instance, she has us pray: “From a sudden and unforeseen death, deliver us, O Lord”; to ask the Mother of God to intercede for us “at the hour of our death” in the Hail Mary; and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death.”

The First Five Saturdays devotion is focused on venerating the Immaculate Heart of Mary, humbling asking that she fulfill her Promise. By starting this tradition on St. Joseph’s feast day, it encourages us to prepare for our death…by living virtuously in the present!  

Maybe you’re just learning about this tradition now. Or maybe you’ve wanted to start the First Saturday devotion for a while, but aren’t sure where to begin. 

Either way, there isn’t a better time to start this tradition with your family! We have 3 products that make it easier than ever!

First Saturday’s Scorecard (with stickers!!)

When we go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, pray the rosary, and spend time in prayer with the Blessed Mother on the First Saturday of the month, we specifically make reparation for the sins against Mary’s Immaculate Heart. (Learn more about the word “reparation” here!) 

However, the tricky thing about the First Saturday’s devotion is that the Saturdays have to be sequential… if you miss 1 day, you start the 5 days over from the beginning. Don’t worry, God uses your prayers for good, even if you miss a day!

We created this First Saturdays Scorecard to help avoid those slip-ups and keep your family on track.

We post ours on the fridge and fill in the dates so we are ready every month. Keep track of how many Saturdays you’ve reached (and use the stickers to “check off” the steps for each Saturday). 

It’s fun, interactive, and focuses on small minds–it even comes in a pack of 2 (that way, you have an extra in case tiny hands put the stickers in the wrong place)!

Here is a short video to show you how you can use our scorecards to fulfil your Five First Saturdays devotion!

First Saturday’s Brochure

Not sure how to explain the First Saturdays devotion to your family or friends?

These handy pamphlets teach you about this devotion in a way that even the youngest kids can understand! 

The First Saturday’s Brochures come in packs of 5 so you can hand them out to family and friends to encourage them to pray this devotion! Or leave them in the adoration chapel for your parish family!

You and your children will learn about:

• The 4 actions requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary
• What Jesus Himself told Lucia the night of Dec 10, 1925
• Why 5 Saturdays? Jesus Himself answered this, too!
• Lucia’s own personal method of meditation (easy for children and adults)
• The promise made to all who fulfill this Devotion

The Fatima Family Handbook

Thanks to Sister Lucia of Fatima, we have the opportunity to grow closer to Mary through the First Saturdays devotion! Why not use this time to learn more about the crucial messages given at Fatima?

Written for both kids and adults, the Fatima Family Handbook lists practical steps you can take to live out the message of Fatima. Fully illustrated and meticulously researched, 

This book has garnered RAVE reviews from EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo, blogger Danielle Bean, and even the Archbishop of Kansas City!

Other parents have told us:

“Every family should have one! We are using this for our family devotion time. It is easy to read in segments and it contains a powerful message.”

“Good starter book to have kids (and the entire family) start their devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.”

While you’re at it, introduce your kids to the story of Fatima through the Children of Fatima Glory Story. Their imaginations will be captivated as they learn what Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia heard from Our Lady!

Starring a full cast of voices and beautiful music, this is a Glory Story you’ll be asked to play it again and again!