Image via AM113 / Shutterstock.

On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew sits down with Barb Ernster, spokesperson for the World Apostolate of Fatima, to talk about one of the most powerful yet often forgotten requests of the Blessed Mother – the First Saturday Devotion. It’s a devotion that Our Lady called “essential for peace in the world and for the salvation of souls.” And as we approach the 100th anniversary of that request, Drew and Barb warn that the message of Fatima has never been more urgent.

What Are the First Saturday Devotions?

Our Lady of Fatima asked the faithful to make reparation to her Immaculate Heart on the first Saturday of five consecutive months. Each First Saturday includes four simple acts of devotion:

Confession (within eight days before or after),

Holy Communion,

Praying five decades of the Rosary, and

Fifteen minutes of meditation on the other mysteries of the Rosary.

These acts, offered with the intention of reparation for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart, are not merely private devotions. As Drew and Barb discuss, they are a heavenly strategy for peace. Our Lady promised that if enough souls responded, peace would come to the world.

Why Our Lady’s Message Still Echoes Today

When Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, World War I was raging, and another global conflict loomed. She came as a mother begging her children to turn back to God. “Pray the Rosary every day,” she said.

Now, a century later, Drew and Barb reflect on the similarities between Our Lady’s time and our own. The rhetoric of war, the moral confusion, the pride and division – all seem to echo the warning signs of the past.

Barb believes that as tension rises in the world – from the East to the West – this is precisely the moment when Catholics must take the Blessed Mother seriously. 

Lessons from History: France and the Missed Consecration

Drew and Barb recall a powerful moment in history: the failure of King Louis XVI of France to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as requested by Our Lord through St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

That delay led to tragedy. The king eventually attempted the consecration – but only from prison, and it was too late. The French Revolution erupted shortly after, and France endured immense suffering.

Barb points out that history offers a warning – and a hope. “France suffered terribly then, but today, we’re seeing a resurgence of faith there. The largest number of people entering the Catholic Church this year came from France. And they’re leading a revival of the First Saturday Devotions. That tells me grace is real, and mercy is possible,” she says.

Why the Devotion Is More Than Personal

While the First Saturday Devotion helps heal the wounds of personal sin, Drew emphasizes that it’s also a global prayer for peace. Barb adds that the offenses against Mary’s Immaculate Heart – including denial of her virginity, her motherhood, and the desecration of her images – deeply wound both the Son and the Mother. Reparation through the First Saturdays is a way to console her heart and to heal the world.

A Call to Action: Peace Begins in the Heart

In a world consumed by conflict and anxiety, Our Lady’s message remains simple yet radical: pray, repent, and make reparation. Drew reminds you that Pope Pius XII once said the destiny of the world could hinge on whether we heed Our Lady’s request at Fatima.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Image via AM113 / Shutterstock.
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On The Drew Mariani Show, Drew sits down with Barb Ernster, spokesperson for the World Apostolate of Fatima, to talk about one of the most powerful yet often forgotten requests of the Blessed Mother &ndash; the&nbsp;First Saturday Devotion. It&rsquo;s a devotion that Our Lady called &ldquo;essential for peace in the world and for the salvation of souls.&rdquo; And as we approach the 100th anniversary of that request, Drew and Barb warn that the message of Fatima has never been more urgent.
What Are the First Saturday Devotions?
Our Lady of Fatima asked the faithful to make reparation to her Immaculate Heart on the first Saturday of five consecutive months. Each First Saturday includes four simple acts of devotion:
Confession (within eight days before or after),
Holy Communion,
Praying five decades of the Rosary, and
Fifteen minutes of meditation on the other mysteries of the Rosary.
These acts, offered with the intention of reparation for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart, are not merely private devotions. As Drew and Barb discuss, they are a&nbsp;heavenly strategy for peace. Our Lady promised that if enough souls responded, peace would come to the world.
Why Our Lady&rsquo;s Message Still Echoes Today
When Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, World War I was raging, and another global conflict loomed. She came as a mother begging her children to turn back to God.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pray the Rosary every day,&rdquo; she said.
Now, a century later, Drew and Barb reflect on the similarities between Our Lady&rsquo;s time and our own. The rhetoric of war, the moral confusion, the pride and division &ndash; all seem to echo the warning signs of the past.
Barb believes that as tension rises in the world &ndash; from the East to the West &ndash; this is precisely the moment when Catholics must take the Blessed Mother seriously.&nbsp;
Lessons from History: France and the Missed Consecration
Drew and Barb recall a powerful moment in history: the failure of King Louis XVI of France to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as requested by Our Lord through St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
That delay led to tragedy. The king eventually attempted the consecration &ndash; but only from prison, and it was too late. The&nbsp;French Revolution erupted shortly after, and France endured immense suffering.
Barb points out that history offers a warning &ndash; and a hope. &ldquo;France suffered terribly then, but today, we&rsquo;re seeing a resurgence of faith there. The largest number of people entering the Catholic Church this year came from France. And they&rsquo;re leading a revival of the First Saturday Devotions. That tells me grace is real, and mercy is possible,&rdquo; she says.
Why the Devotion Is More Than Personal
While the First Saturday Devotion helps heal the wounds of personal sin, Drew emphasizes that it&rsquo;s also a global prayer for peace. Barb adds that the&nbsp;offenses against Mary&rsquo;s Immaculate Heart &ndash; including denial of her virginity, her motherhood, and the desecration of her images &ndash; deeply wound both the Son and the Mother. Reparation through the First Saturdays is a way to console her heart and to heal the world.
A Call to Action: Peace Begins in the Heart
In a world consumed by conflict and anxiety, Our Lady&rsquo;s message remains simple yet radical: pray, repent, and make reparation. Drew reminds you that&nbsp;Pope Pius XII once said the destiny of the world could hinge on whether we heed Our Lady&rsquo;s request at Fatima.
<hr>
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.