Recently, I am so confused about so many things. Working life
seems too complicated for me especially if these things come up with additional
'seasonings' like family problems and accountable partners.
I have been prayed for my family since I was in school. Sometimes,
I prayed for something that obviously I want or I need, but now, I just
couldn't describe my feelings and thoughts, too many anxiety and worries that I
know, it shouldn't been a problem because I have Jesus. The light, the way, the
love, the redeemer of my life.
For 23 years of my life, I haven't finished my promised by myself
to God. I used to use my situation to limit myself in serving Him. I had
promised that I would offer my life to Him, particularly because I could be
more independent since I work as a teacher in Sentani. I know that my saving
and allowance would not be enough to fulfill my desire to have a happy and
fancy life like my friends in Jakarta. I made up my mind by devoting my time
and life to serve Him there fully, through neighborhood, church community and
absolutely school as my second home.
This prayer and devotion bringing me over to a composure and
contentment that all my worries should be gone, why? Because it is more than a
prayer, it is a promise of assurance and an answer from God.
These writings about about First Friday Devotion help me
much to understand why and how I should pray. I hope i could strengthen you
too, pals...
So that wherever you are, whatever your problems and worries, we
can devote ourselves to God in the way He had promised us. To God be the Glory!
History of First Friday Devotion
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is of great antiquity in the
Church. It was St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, however, who made this devotion
widespread. In 1675, within the octave of the feast of Corpus Christi, our Lord
appeared to her and said: "Behold this heart which, not withstanding the
burning love for men with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no
other return from most Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indifference and
ingratitude, even in the sacrament of my love [the Eucharist]. But what pierces
my heart most deeply is that I am subjected to these insults by persons
especially consecrated to my service."
To those who show him love and who make reparation for sins,
however, our Lord made a great pledge: "I promise you in the
unfathomable mercy of my heart that my omnipotent love will procure the grace
of final penitence for all those who receive communion on nine successive first
Fridays of the month; they will not die in my disfavor, or without having
received the sacraments, since my divine heart will be their sure refuge in the
last moments of their life."4
The great promise of the Sacred Heart is most consoling: the grace
of final perseverance and the joy of having Jesus' heart as our sure refuge and
infinite ocean of mercy in our last hour.
To gain this grace, we must:
- Receive
holy Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays.
- Have
the intention of honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of reaching final
perseverance.
- Offer
each holy Communion as an act of atonement for offenses against the
Blessed Sacrament.
The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary
Alacoque
1. "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state
of life."
2. "I will establish peace in their homes."
3. "I will comfort them in their afflictions."
4. "I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all
in death."
5. "I will bestow a large blessing upon all their
undertakings."
6. "Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the
infinite ocean of mercy."
7. "Tepid souls shall grow fervent."
8. "Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high
perfection."
9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart
shall be set up and honored."
10. "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most
hardened hearts."
11. "Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their
names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out."
12. "I promise thee in the excessive mercy of My Heart that
My all-powerful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First
Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not
die in My disgrace nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Divine heart shall
be their safe refuge in this last moment."
Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
V/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.
V/ Christ, have mercy.
R/ Christ, have mercy.
V/ Lord, have mercy.
R/ Lord, have mercy.
V/ Jesus, hear us.
R/ Jesus, graciously hear us.
R/ for ff: have mercy on us
God, the Father of Heaven,
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the
Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty,
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke you,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in you,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.
R/ spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R/ graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R/ have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
R/ Make our hearts like to yours.
Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of
your most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which he offers you
in the name of sinners; and to those who implore your mercy, in your great
goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, your Son, who
lives and reigns with you forever and ever.
R/ Amen.
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