First Thursdays Devotion

Okay kiddo, so you know how we go to church on Sundays to share our love for God and learn about Jesus? Well, some people also have a special devotion to Mary, Jesus' mother. They like to honor her in a special way by doing something called "First Thursdays."

First Thursdays happens on the first Thursday of every month. On that day, people try to do three things: go to Mass and receive Communion (which is when we take a little piece of bread and think about Jesus), spend an hour in quiet prayer, and offer up something they're doing that day as a sacrifice for Mary.

Now, sacrificing something means giving up something we really like or want, and giving it to someone else as a gift. So, say I really like eating candy, but on First Thursdays, I might decide to give up candy for the day and offer that as a gift to Mary instead.

People who like Mary and the idea of First Thursdays think that by doing these three things, they're showing their love and devotion to Mary and asking her to help them be closer to Jesus. It's kind of like a special secret club for people who really love Jesus and his family!