FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR APRIL

 

Themes:

 

DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

v  The example of the Angel of Portugal and his exhortation to sacrifice, adoration, reparation to Our Divine Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

v  Frequent and fervent Holy Communions, Eucharistic Vigils, perpetual adoration, visits to the "Hidden Jesus", spiritual Communions.

v  Promotion of devotion to the Holy Eucharist.

RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS

v     The critical need of consecrated souls to live that total oblation for which Our Lady pleads.

v     The continuation of the very work of the Redemption through the apostolates of the Church for the salvation of souls.

v     The fostering of religious vocations as the highest and most perfect calling.

 

 

OPENING PRAYERS:    * Come Holy Ghost                                            * The Rosary with meditation on each mystery

* The Litany of Loretto                                        * Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

* Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel                 * Hymn to the Blessed Sacrament

* Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph to be recited after the Rosary

 

MEDITATION:                * From the Imitation of Christ or past Issues of Salve Maria Regina  – articles on Our Sorrowful

Mother (Issue No. 92) or “Mary at the Resurrection” (Issue No. 103).

 

STUDY & DISCUSS:      * Officer's reports; Cell Memos; apostolic action projects, etc.

 

 

Reference Material

 

FIRST MEETING

 

1.       WHERE WE GOT THE BIBLE:  Discuss Chapter 14 – “A Deluge of Erroneous Versions” (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Where We Got the Bible by Rt. Rev. Henry G. Graham.

 

2.       THE ANGEL OF PORTUGAL AND THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:  Discuss his exhortation to sacrifice, adoration of the Most Holy Trinity, adoration and reparation to Our Divine Lord in the Holy Eucharist, etc.  Do we appreciate the Hidden Jesus?  Discuss the importance of Holy Communion, Eucharistic Vigils, Perpetual Adoration, visits to the "Hidden Jesus", Spiritual Communions (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Issue No. 121 of Salve Maria Regina.

 

3.       MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Discuss the Feast of the Compassion of Mary (Friday in Passion Week); (10 min. report & discussion).  Reference:  Articles "Our Sorrowful Mother, Co-Redemptrix" and "Mater Dolorosa – Lessons from the Queen of Martyrs", Salve Maria Regina Issue No. 120.

 

SECOND MEETING

 

1.       CATHOLIC LITURGY & DEVOTION: Discuss the Liturgy of Holy Week (15 min. report – 10 min. discussion).  Reference:  "Passiontide and Holy Week", Salve Maria Regina Issue No. 136; article – “The Good Friday Veneration of the Cross”.

 

2.       THE EUCHARISTIC LIFE OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN: (a) Review the Introduction of St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori's "Visits to the Blessed Sacrament", (understanding "visits" in the sense of the "holy hours" for which the Sacred Heart of Jesus pleaded); (b) Discuss the great devotion of the saints for remaining in the Presence of our Eucharistic King; (c) Discuss the most fruitful manner of spending these precious moments before Our Divine Redeemer (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: "Visits to the Blessed Sacrament" by Liguori.

 

3.       COURT OF THE QUEEN: We cannot hope to dwell one day in the Heavenly Court of Our Immaculate Queen unless we strive diligently in the pursuit of holiness.  The Blessed who already dwell in Her Heavenly Court are inspirations for us in this pursuit of that life of holiness to which Jesus calls us.  Read the list of the following feasts observed during this month: St. Francis of Paula (April 2); St. Vincent Ferrer (April 5); St. Herman Joseph of Cologne (April 7); St. Hermenegild (April 13); St. Justin Martyr (April 14); St. Lydwine of Schiedam (April 15); St. Leo IX (April 19); St. Anselm (April 21); St. Konrad of Parzham (April 22); St. George – one of the 14 Holy Helpers (April 23); St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen – Protomartyr of the Propagation of the Faith (April 24); St. Peter Kanisius (April 27); St. Louis Marie de Montfort (April 28).  How do the lives of these saints inspire us to a more perfect living of our holy Faith and our Consecration to the Immaculate Queen of Heaven?  Choose two or three saints from the first part of the list; briefly review their holy lives, and the lessons and virtues we learn from them.  Discuss practical ways in which we can imitate them and apply their virtues in our own daily lives (10 min. report & discussion).  Reference: Martyrology; article on St. Hermenegild in Salve Maria Regina No. 142.

 

THIRD MEETING

 

1.       CATHOLIC LITURGY & DEVOTION: Low Sunday, Feast of Divine Mercy. Discuss the wonderful attribute of Divine Mercy, shown forth not only in the Redemption of mankind, but also in the establishment of the Church with Her Shepherds and priests who dispense the Divine mercies through the Sacraments. Review also a few excerpts taken from Father Mueller's writings on the "misapprehension of God's Mercy" which leads so many presumptuous souls to damnation. Discuss practical means of profiting from the tremendous mercy of God imparted to us in the Sacrament of Penance, through which our sins are forgiven (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Article, "The Divine Mercy"; excerpt from "The Misapprehension of God's Mercy" by Fr. Michael Mueller.

 

2.       MARY QUEEN OF ALL HEARTS: Discuss devotion to Our Lady under this title and the history of the pilgrimage shrine in Quebec (15 min. report, 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Cover article in Salve Maria Regina No. 142.

 

3.       COURT OF THE QUEEN: Choose two or three saints from the latter part of the list above; briefly review their holy lives, and the lessons and virtues we learn from them.  Discuss practical ways in which we can imitate them and apply their virtues in our own daily lives (10 min. report & discussion).  Reference: Martyrology; article on St. Leo IX in Salve Maria Regina No. 122; booklet on St. Konrad of Altötting; The Fourteen Holy Helpers by Fr. Hammer.

 

FOURTH MEETING

 

1.       THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS:  Discuss Chapter 22 – “Holy Mass is the Unfailing Succor of the Dying” (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem.

 

2.       TRUE DEVOTION TO MARY: The feasts of Mary, Queen of All Hearts (April 20) and St. Louis Marie de Montfort (April 28) remind us of the fact that the Devotion he taught is the perfect fulfillment of Our Lady's requests at Fatima – especially for consecration to her Immaculate Heart.  Discuss ways to better live this consecration (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis Marie de Montfort.

 

3.       ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER:  Discuss the dual significance of this Feast: that St. Joseph is the Patron in the Battle Against Communism and that he is a special patron for every vocation in life (15 min. report and discussion).  Reference:  Article on St. Joseph the Worker in Salve Maria Regina No. 92; article – “The Advantages of Taking St. Joseph as a Special Patron”; article on “The Power of St. Joseph” in Salve Maria Regina No. 142.

 

 

CLOSING PRAYERS:         * Prayer to Mary, Queen of All Hearts                              * Prayer for Vocations

                                         * The Fatima Prayers                                                     * Hymn: Daily, Daily Sing to Mary

PAMPHLET                                                                      

OF THE MONTH:                * The Angel of Portugal

Cell Plan of Apostolic Action for April

* To promote the Message of Fatima

  * Sanctification of self, family, neighbor

         * Conversion of sinners, salvation of souls

                      * Adoration, reparation, total consecration

 

ˇ   Eucharistic all-night Vigil on First Friday – First Saturday of the month;

ˇ   Additional holy hours before the Blessed Sacrament as a Cell or family during this month;

ˇ   Frequently recite the prayers of the Angel of Portugal, especially before the Blessed Sacrament, in reparation for the sins of mankind;

ˇ   Daily prayers through the Paschal Season of fifty days, and endeavoring to rise with Our Divine Lord to a new life of grace;

ˇ   Novena and special observance of the Feasts of the Joyful Heart of Mary; Mary, Queen of All Hearts; and Our Lady of Good Counsel; commending especially the growth of the Fatima Cell Movement, and for the perseverance of the remnant still struggling to remain faithful to the doctrines and traditions of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church;

ˇ   Make visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly.  Brighten up their day with spiritual encouragement; distribute Fatima pledges, brown scapulars, Miraculous Medals, Sacred Heart badges, and leaflets to those open to receiving and using these spiritual aids;

ˇ   Make a diligent effort to distribute copies of The Reign of Mary to souls who may be open to the traditional Catholic Faith.  Take a special collection to purchase additional issues for apostolic use while copies are still available.

 

Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel

Most glorious Virgin, chosen by the Eternal Counsel to be the Mother of the Eternal Word Made Flesh, thou who art the Treasurer of Divine Graces and the Advo­cate of sinners, I, who am thy most unworthy servant have recourse to thee; be thou pleased to be my guide and counselor in this vale of tears.  Obtain for me through the Most Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, the forgiveness of my sins, the salvation of my soul, and the means necessary to obtain it.  In like manner obtain for Holy Mother Church victory over Her enemies and the spread of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ upon the whole earth.  Amen.