Simple 15 Minute Rosary Meditation For Fatima First Saturday Devotion
The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is May 13th. There are many ways to celebrate this beautiful feast that commemorates the appearance of Our Lady to 3 shepherd children in Portugal, Fatima. No matter how you celebrate, make sure to learn about the 5 First Saturdays Devotion that Our Lady asked for Sister Lucia to share with the world. One of the requirements is to complete a 15 minute rosary meditation. But, what exactly does this mean? Today, I will discuss all of the requirements to complete the devotion and specifically address the 15 minute rosary meditation.
Read to the bottom for a FREE Our Lady of Fatima coloring book for your little ones!
How do you practice the 5 first Saturdays devotion?
The following conditions must be met for the 5 first Saturday devotion. The following must be completed on 5 consecutive Saturdays, as instructed by Our Lady to Sister Lucia:
- Receive Holy Communion in a state of grace
- Receive the Sacrament of Confession
- Pray 1 full Rosary (any mystery, all 5 decades)
- 15 minute meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary
What is the 15 minutes with Our Lady?
When I first heard about the 5 Saturday Devotion, I was the most confused about this part. Sister Lucia cleared this up by explaining that Our Lady wishes for us to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary in addition to requirement #3 to pray a rosary. This meditation is to be made in reparation to the Immaculate Heart.
There is no one correct way to fulfill this requirement, and a google search will give you many ways in which to fulfill it.Â
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Ways to fulfill the first Saturday 15 minute rosary meditation
You can fulfill the 15 minute rosary meditation for the first Saturday devotion in any of the following ways (and lots of other ways you may find online and in books!):
- Sister Lucia’s Method written very clearly by Good Catholic (scroll down)
- John Henry Westin’s guided meditation (video)
- Traditional 1950 Book (free download) from Fr. L.M. Dooley, S.V.D.
- This very beautiful, thorough and free book to download from Flame of Love (click the little image of the book to download)
- A playlist for different 15 minute rosary meditations on every single mystery of the rosary from Regina Angelorum Press (Fr. Pillari)
- There is also this book from Dumb Ox which can be used
- Find each mystery in your bible. Read the scripture and meditate!
In other words, you can choose 1 mystery of the rosary to meditate on for 15 minutes. Or, you can choose multiple mysteries to meditate on. Just set a timer for 15 minutes and meditate on whatever you wish! Most importantly, you are spending time with Our Lady, meditating on Jesus’ life, and considering how you can imitate the virtues of Our Lady in your own life.
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15 minute rosary meditation and 5 First Saturdays with children
I have been pondering a lot lately on how to help my children meditate for 15 minutes. Extended meditation does not come easily for everyone – especially small children!
For starters, here is a great video from EWTN that explains the devotion to children.
The Regina Angelorum videos linked above are almost exactly 15 minutes and it’s easy to pop them on while your children color or play quietly. You could even turn off the screen of the tv or just play the audio from your phone if you prefer not have a screen on while you meditate.
I also suggest spreading out the 4 parts of the devotion throughout the day. For example, you may wish to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation some time before the first Saturday or directly before Mass the morning of the First Saturday. Many parishes offer the sacrament of Reconciliation in the afternoon before the 5:00 vigil Mass. Then, some time during the day you can pray a family rosary (which takes about 20 minutes). Later on, complete the 15 minute rosary meditation.
15 minute rosary meditation as a family: Step by Step
For your 15 minute rosary meditation with children, keep it simple! You will need:
- a Catholic bible
- a timer
- relaxing music (optional)
- coloring books or quiet activity for small children (optional)
Here are the steps inspired by Sister Lucia’s instructions for completing this meditation with children.
- Put on some relaxing instrumental music or Gregorian Chant (optional)
- Give small children some rosary or Fatima-themed coloring pages (see below) and crayons. Toddlers can quietly play with peg dolls and or/blocks (be patient… this doesn’t have to go perfectly!)
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and remind everyone that this is quiet time to read the bible and think about Our Lord and Our Lady.
- Read the scripture associated with the mystery you would like to meditate on.
- Imagine yourself in the scripture, and encourage your children to do the same. For example, you can direct them by telling them to imagine how Mary felt at the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel told her she would conceive of the Holy Spirit. Guide them through the scripture and help them paint a picture in their mind.
- State the virtue associated with that rosary mystery and define it for the children. Give them examples of how Mary or Jesus demonstrates that virtue for us.Â
- Think about ways that we can imitate that virtue in our own life. Say them out loud for the children to think about.
- Think about and say the vices that are the opposite of this virtue and ponder ways how we can stop doing things that displease God and harm others.
- Continue the readings and reflections for the entire 15 minutes.
- Pick up on whatever mystery you left off on next month!
Our Lady of Fatima Coloring Book: Free Printable!
Here is a free Our Lady of Fatima coloring book! Sign up below to have it delivered right to your inbox.
Print it and have it ready to meditate with your children on the next First Saturday!
More resources to help you complete the First 5 Saturdays Devotion
Read about exactly how to pray the rosary.
Here is my post on tips for praying the rosary with children.
Visit this post about the sacrament of Reconciliation.
After completing your devotion, maybe pick up a fun snack or treat and learn how to draw Our Lady of Fatima!
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