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The First Thursdays Devotion, also called the Act of Reparation to the Wounds of Jesus and to the Holy Eucharist, is a Catholic devotion to offer acts of reparation. It is based on purported apparitions of Christ at Balazar, Portugal, reported by Alexandrina Maria da Costa. According to Alexandrina Maria da Costa, (popularly known as Alexandrina of Balazar, she experienced an apparition of Jesus on 25 February 1949, during which he requested a new devotion in reparation for his Holy Wounds, to be practiced on the first Thursday of every month.


Oratio Sancti Caietani

There was already at this time a long-standing First Thursday devotion that involved praying the ''Respice, Domine'' ("Look down, O Lord"), a prayer attributed to Saint Cajetan. Look down, O Lord, from Thy sanctuary, from Thy dwelling in heaven on high, and behold this sacred Victim which our great High Priest, Thy holy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, offers up to Thee for the sins of His brethren and be appeased despite the multitude of our transgressions. Behold, the voice of the Blood of Jesus, our Brother, cries to Thee from the cross. Give ear, O Lord. Be appeased, O Lord. Hearken and do not delay for Thine own sake, O my God; for Thy Name is invoked upon this city and upon Thy people and deal with us according to Thy mercy. Amen. That Thou wouldst defend, pacify, keep, preserve, and bless this city, we beseech Thee, hear us. The prayer was to be said while kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. A plenary indulgence was granted for the first Thursday in each month to all who would say it after confession and communion and pray for the needs of the Church. Partial indulgences were granted for saying the prayer at other times. Cajetan's prayer echoes Psalm 120, and was popular as a plea for help and protection in times of trouble.


Alexandrina's version

This devotion is performed on the first Thursdays of six consecutive months. The number six represents Jesus' five wounds of the Crucifixion (hands, feet, and side) plus his shoulder wound from carrying the cross. On these days, a person is to attend the Mass and receive the
Eucharist The Eucharist (; from Greek , , ), also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instit ...
in a state of grace ''"with sincere humility, fervor and love"'' and spend one hour before a church tabernacle containing the Eucharist, meditating on the wounds of Jesus (particularly his shoulder wound) and the
sorrows of Mary Our Lady of Sorrows ( la, Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens), Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows ( la, Mater Dolorosa, link=no), and Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names ...
. According to Alexandrina, Jesus said,
''"My daughter, My dear spouse, tell souls that I wish to be loved and consoled, and that I desire reparation to be made to Me in the Eucharist. In My Name tell all those who receive Holy Communion with sincerity and humility, fervour and love, for six consecutive first Thursdays, and spend one hour of worship, uniting their soul with Me before the tabernacle, that I promise Heaven. This is to honour My Holy Wounds through the
Eucharist The Eucharist (; from Greek , , ), also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instit ...
, primarily that of My sacred shoulder so little remembered. Those who do this, who unite the sorrows of My Blessed Mother to the Holy Wounds, and in their name ask for graces, be they spiritual or corporal, I promise to grant all requests if they are not a danger to their souls. At the moment of the death I will come to defend them, and bring my Blessed Mother with Me."''
This devotion to the Holy Wounds through Eucharistic adoration was approved by the Roman Catholic Church and several promises were made by Jesus to those who practice the First Thursdays Devotion, one of which included the salvation of the soul at the moment of death.ROWLES, Kevin. Blessed Alexandrina - Living Miracle of the Eucharist. Twickenham, United Kingdom (2006).


See also

*
Shoulder wound of Jesus The traditional prayer in honor of the shoulder wound of Jesus calls to mind the wound that Jesus is said to have received carrying the cross on which he was crucified. It is variously attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux or to Gertrude or Mechti ...
*
Seven Sorrows of Mary Our Lady of Sorrows ( la, Beata Maria Virgo Perdolens), Our Lady of Dolours, the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows ( la, Mater Dolorosa, link=no), and Our Lady of Piety, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names ...


Notes


References


Further reading

* MADIGAN, Leo;
Blessed Alexandrina da Costa: The Mystical Martyr of Fatima
'. Fatima-Ophel Books, Fátima, Portugal (2005). * JOHNSTON, Francis W.;
Alexandrina: The Agony and the Glory
'. Saint Benedict Press, TAN Books (2009). * ROWLES, Kevin.
Blessed Alexandrina - Living Miracle of the Eucharist
'. Twickenham, United Kingdom (2006) {{Private revelation Catholic devotions