First Thursdays Devotion

There was already at this time a long-standing first Thursdays devotion that involved praying the Respice, Domine ("Look down, O Lord"), a prayer attributed to Saint Cajetan.

Eucharistic adoration during a "Holy hour" on Thursdays was part of the revelations reported by Margaret Mary Alacoque.

[2] Pope Pius VI granted a plenary indulgence for those who would visit the Blessed Sacrament on the first Thursday of the month.

[3] Picpus Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey (1875-1960) promoted an at-home Holy Hour for those who couldn't make it to an oratory or chapel.

On these days, a person is to attend the Mass and receive the Eucharist in a state of grace "with sincere humility, fervor and love" and spend one hour before a church tabernacle containing the Eucharist, meditating on the wounds of Jesus (particularly his shoulder wound) and the sorrows of Mary.