First Friday september 1, 2023 

Guards of Honor 1st Friday / September 2023 Fr. David Bellusci, OP 

“My Heart has expected reproach and misery and I looked for one who would grieve together with Me, but there was none; and for one that would comfort me, and I found none!” (Ps. 68)

“BEHOLD THE HEART WHICH HAS SUFFERED SO MUCH!”

It was at the end of August,1685 when St. Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote to Sister Marie-Madeleine. Margaret Mary did not want to offend God; nor did she want to disobey her Superior. Hearing the voice of God, St. Margaret Mary was directed by Him to receive Communion on First Fridays of the month. At a time when frequent communion was uncommon, reserved for great feasts and solemnities, St. Margaret Mary was introducing a new practise. God directed St. Margaret Mary to receive Communion on First Fridays as an offering to the Eternal Father through the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make satisfaction to God’s divine justice for any acts against charity. The Sacred Heart as a new devotion was not accepted by all of the community. Sister Marie-Madeleine herself, known for not being in favour of the First Friday devotion, is precisely why St. Margaret Mary goes to her: for a truthful answer. St. Margaret Mary was caught between her Superior who was against the devotion to keep peace in the community, and to receive First Friday Communion according to the message she received from Jesus. Is the message truly from Jesus when it goes against her Superior? Or from Satan? St. Margaret Mary does not want to fall into Satan’s trap.

We often find ourselves in these dilemmas: caught between what appears to be two good things, but that are in conflict. How do we make our choices when two goods appear before us? Can one of these choices lead us away from the will of God? St. Margaret Mary consults a trustworthy friend, a Sister she esteemed for her virtue, and whom St. Margaret Mary knows will be honest and upfront about the truth.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach us how to discern your Will.

Prayer to Renew Our Fidelity and Devotion 

Divine Jesus, my Saviour and my King, with all my heart I renew the promise which I have made to love, to glorify and to console Your adorable Heart as a member of the Guard of Honor. Grant O good Master, to make me daily more loving, more devoted and more faithful. I ask this same grace for all the Associates through the Immaculate Heart of Your Mother. AMEN