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First Friday Devotion
to the SACRED HEART OF JESUS

From a vision of a French Visitandine (Visitation) nun, Margaret Mary Alacoque, in 1673.

Jesus promised that if the faithful:
“receive Communion on the First Fridays for nine consecutive months”
while in a state of grace (after making a good Confession),
“In the excess of the mercy of My Heart, I promise ...

  1. To give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
  2. To establish peace in their homes.
  3. To comfort them in all their afflictions.
  4. To be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
  5. To bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
  6. To find in my heart the Source of infinite Ocean of Mercy.
  7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
  8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
  9. To bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honoured.
  10. To give priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
  11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart.
  12. The grace of final repentance: they shall not die in My displeasure, nor without receiving the Sacraments. My Divine Heart will be their secure refuge in the last hour.”

The purpose of this devotion is to draw a person closer to the Heart of Christ. The moment that this devotion is observed in a superstitious manner, neglecting to live a virtuous life, Jesus’ promise will be null and void.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Two people are normally needed to be present during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Silence is to be observed in church during Adoration, unless there is chanting and communal praying.
Respect for the presence of the Lord in the Monstrance is expected.
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Genuflections and Bows

(From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2012, p. 58)

274.
A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

During Mass, three genuflections are made by the Priest Celebrant: namely, after the elevation of the host, after the elevation of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. nos. 210 – 251).

If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself. Otherwise, all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.

Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.

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BENEDICTION

TANTUM ERGO
(St. Thomas Aquinas)

~ Sung ~

Down in adoration falling This great sacrament we hail, Ancient types have long departed, Newer rites of grace prevail. Faith for all defects supplying Where the feeble senses fail.

Glory let us give and blessing To the Father and the Son, Honour, might and praise addressing, While eternal ages run; Equal praise to Him confessing Who proceeds from both as One.

Amen.

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Priest :
You have given them bread from heaven.

All :
Having in itself all delight.

Priest :
Let us pray, O God, in this wonderful Sacrament, You have left us a memorial of Your Passion. We ask You to enable us, so to worship the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood, that we may constantly feel in our lives the effects of Your Redemption. You who live and reign forever and ever.

All :
Amen

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DIVINE PRAISES

Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.