The upcoming First Saturday, May 3, marks the 20th anniversary of the Reparation to the Immaculate Heat of Mary Association.

For each first Saturday of the month, the group — today about 70 to 80 strong — meets in Sacred Hearts Academy’s St. Margaret Mary Alacoque chapel.

Confessions are heard by two or three priests from 9 a.m. up until Mass at 10 a.m. Mass is followed by the rosary and a 15-minute meditation on the 15 mysteries in reparation for the sins and offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Our Lady of Fatima personally asked the late Sister Lucia in 1925 for the First Saturday devotion, exactly as observed by the Hawaii group.

The Blessed Mother’s promise for doing this for five consecutive months is the grace of salvation and her help at the moment of death.

The late Msgr. George Rossbach was the group’s first spiritual director. Father George Busto is the current monthly Mass celebrant. Confessors are Sacred Hearts Father Stephen Van den Eynde and Father Christopher Keahi, provincial of the Sacred Hearts Fathers and Brothers in Hawaii.

Among the other priests, now deceased, who helped more than 1,000 people in Hawaii complete their five First Saturdays over the past 20 years are Father Gerard Leicht, Father Clement Geysen, Father Gabriel Van den Broucke and Father Mark Consalvi — all Sacred Hearts priests.

Other priests who have served are Father Edwin J. Duffy, now 98, Father Joseph Grimaldi, Maryknoll Father Charles Schmidt and Marianist Father Alan DeLong.

“We are grateful to our dedicated priests and to the Sacred Hearts Sisters of Jesus and Mary for the use of their chapel,” said Mely McGivern, president.

Cedric Fujitani was president for the group’s first five years. Fifteen years ago he was succeeded as president by McGivern. For more information on First Saturday Devotions, call her at 396-6569.