FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR FEBRUARY

THEMES:

THE HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. Jesus, having been found by His Parents in the Temple, answered their loving concern with the simple words: "Did you not know that I must be about the work of My Father?" Yet, Jesus then "went down to Nazareth and was subject to them." Rather than spending the years of His Childhood in manifesting His Divine Power, He preferred to teach mankind, by His own example, the sublime virtues of humility, obedience, simplicity, and hiddenness, which so endear us to the Eternal Father. Later He said: "Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." This sublime lesson is reflected in the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, as she made the exclusive choice of three uneducated shepherd children, entrusting to them the most important message of the twentieth century. As we meditate upon the profound humility of the Son of God-made-Man in His blessed Childhood, let us also be resolved to react with the simplicity, humility, and faith of Francisco and Jacinta, as we strive to "be about the work of our Father" (our own sanctification), fervently living the message of Fatima!

THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS. As we make the transition from the joy of the Christmas-Epiphany season to the somber reflections of Septuagesima and Lent, the comeliness of the "most beautiful of the sons of men" gives way to the horrible disfigurement which He suffered in His bitter Passion. There are few devotions, which are as effective as looking upon the Face of Jesus in His sufferings, to make us realize, as did Francisco and Jacinta, the terrible price which He paid for our sins. We would understand, in looking upon His agony, that "He is already too much offended." Rather than turn away with repugnance (as so many so-called Christians do) from the disfigured Countenance of our Crucified Master, let us learn to "make everything that we do a sacrifice", and to console Him by making reparation to His Most Sacred and Tender, but sadly also Pierced and Bleeding Heart.

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

* The Litany of Our Lady of Loreto * Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

* Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary * The Lourdes Ave

* Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

MEDITATION: * from "My Imitation of Christ"; or The Glories of Mary on the Immaculate Conception.

STUDY & DISCUSS: * Officer's reports; Cell Memos; reading of the Salve Maria Regina Bulletin.

First Meeting:

1. THE LITURGICAL YEAR: Review the articles, Eve of Septuagesima – Suspension of the Alleluia and The Season of Septuagesima. (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 163; Salve Maria Regina. No. 151.
2. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Our Lady of Lourdes – discuss the beautiful story of the apparitions to St. Bernadette in France in 1858; Our Lady's urgent request for penance; and the important spiritual healing we may obtain through Her intercession. It was also in this apparition that Our Lady made known the importance of the Rosary, and affirmed the Church's teaching on Her Immaculate Conception (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 97; Excerpt from Ineffabilis Deus, Defining the Immaculate Conception.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Discuss and reflect on the life of St. John of Matha – February 8th. (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 167.

Second Meeting:

1. THE LITURGICAL YEAR: Review the article, Origin of the 40 Hours Devotion (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 151.
2. TITLES OF OUR LADY FROM THE LITANY OF LORETO: In light of the Holy Childhood of Jesus (see Themes above), review the titles of Our Lady: Holy Mother of God and Mother of Christ. (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Reign of Mary No. 45; Reign of Mary No. 46.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY 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. Among them: St. Dorothy; St. Cyril of Alexandria; St. Scholastica; Seven Holy Founders of the Servites; St. Bernadette Soubirous. (Choose two or three of the Saints listed for a 10-15 min. report and reflection). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 101; Salve Maria Regina No. 159.

Third Meeting:

1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Review the article, Ash Wednesday (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 159.
2. THE SORROWS OF MARY: Review the First Three Sorrows of Our Lady, which are commemorated this Month (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Excerpts fromThe Glories of Maryon Our Lady's Sorrows.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Choose two or three of the Saints listed: Ven. Jacinta Marto, the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch; St. Peter Damian; St. Matthias; St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin; St. Margaret of Cortona; Ven Francisco Marto. Discuss briefly the lessons learned and virtues taught by their lives, and how to practically apply these virtues in our own daily lives (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: Resolutions of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin; Salve Maria Regina No. 109; Salve Maria Regina No. 159; Salve Maria Regina No. 120.

Fourth Meeting:

1. THE LITURGICAL YEAR: Review the article, The Ember Days of Lent (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 163.
2. TITLES OF OUR LADY FROM THE LITANY OF LORETO: Discuss the Title, Ark of the Covenant. (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 167.
3. THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS: There are few devotions which are as effective as looking upon the Face of Jesus in His sufferings to make us realize, as did Francisco and Jacinta, the terrible price which He paid for our sins. Discuss the importance of this devotion, in light of the upcoming Season of Lent (5-10 min. report and discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 119.

CLOSING PRAYERS: Prayer in honor of the Holy Face of Jesus . . . The Fatima Prayers . . . Hymn, O Sanctissima

LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH: New Hope . . . Unless Ye Do Penance

CELL PLAN OF APOSTOLIC ACTION FOR FEBRUARY

* Encourage veneration of the Miraculous Medal by example.

* Make an act of love and devtion to Our Immaculate Queen at every hour.

* To promote the Message of Fatima ... * Sanctification of self, family, neighbor

* Conversion of sinners, salvation of souls ... * Adoration, reparation, total consecration

• Eucharistic all-night vigil on First Friday/Saturday of the month.
• Special observance of the Feasts of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (the liturgical end of the Christmas-Epiphany Season), Our Lady of Lourdes, The Flight into Egypt, St. Bernadette Soubirous, and St. Peter's Chair at Antioch (refer to Calendar).
• Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes for the growth of the Fatima Cell Movement, and for the perseverance of the remnant flock still struggling to remain faithful to the doctrines and traditions of the One, Holy, Catholic Apostolic Church, and Her legitimate Apostolic Authority.
• Distribute the Medal of the Immaculate Conception as a most powerful instrument of grace. (Our Lady of Lourdes said: "I am the Immaculate Conception.") Wear it faithfully as a sign of your membership in Our Lady of Fatima Crusade. Venerate it often (for example: every hour with the invocation.)
• Personal Resolve: To pursue a life of humility and meekness. Examples: little Jacinta & Francisco Marto; "Unless ye become as little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
• Family Practice: Obtain a picture of the Holy Face of Jesus (available from the Fatima Cell Center) and place it in a suitable position in your home, so that you may always strive to keep before your eyes the great Price of our Redemption.
• Personal resolve: to honor Our Lady in a special way on Saturdays.
• Make visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly. Brighten their day with spiritual encouragement and distribute Fatima pledges, Brown Scapulars, Miraculous Medals, and leaflets to those open to receiving these spiritual aids and making good use of them. Explain to them the great value of offering their sufferings for the missions of the Religious and the work of the Fatima Crusade, for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls.
• Form a Rosary group in retirement homes, convalescent homes, etc. As an act of true love of neighbor, visit some shut-in or lonely, elderly person every week and pray the Rosary with them.
• Personal resolve: Plan your personal program of prayer and penance for the upcoming Season of Lent, in union with the Sorrows of Our Immaculate Mother, and the bitter Passion of Our Divine Lord. Make it practical. Make it devout but simple, so that you will be faithful to it!