Fatima Cell Program for February

Themes

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 Bleeding Heart.

THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT: The forty days' fast, which we call Lent, is the Church's preparation for Easter, and was instituted at the very commencement of Christianity. Our Blessed Lord Himself sanctioned this fast by fasting forty days and forty nights in the desert; and though He did not impose it on the world by an express commandment (which, in that case, could not have been open to the power of dispensation), yet He showed plainly enough, by His own example, that fasting, which God had so frequently ordered in the old Law, was to be practiced also by the children of the new.

OPENING PRAYERS:			* Come Holy Ghost * The Rosary with meditation on each mystery * Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel * Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary * Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes * Hymn: The Lourdes Ave
MEDITATION:			* from the Imitation of Christ or The Glories of Mary
STUDY & DISCUSS:			* Officer's reports; Cell Memos; reading of the Salve Maria Regina (a portion should be read at each meeting with a brief discussion, if appropriate).
FIRST MEETING:
1.		THE LITURGICAL YEAR: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)	The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Candlemas, "The Catholic Feast of Lights" – discuss this beautiful Feast which comes towards the close of the Christmas-Epiphany season, and its significance for faithful Catholics, especially the example which Our Lady gives us of humble obedience to the laws of the Church. Also, as Lent is soon to begin, discuss the First Sorrow of Mary – the Prophecy of Simeon.
		Reference: Sections on the Feast of the Purification and on the Prophecy of Simeon from The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.
2.		THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT: (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion)	The Holy Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday – which falls this year on February 9^th. Discuss personal and family practices for a truly Christian observance of this holiest of Seasons, in light of the fact that Lenten practices have been continually mitigated over the ages. Discuss the danger of laxity in keeping the practices of Lent.
		Reference: Article: The Holy Season of Lent: Part I - The History of Lent
3.		COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: (Choose two or three of the Saints listed for a 10-15 min. report & reflection.)	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. Blase, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers; St. Ignatius of Antioch; St. Agatha; St. Dorothy; St. Cyril of Alexandria; St. Scholastica; St. Valentine; Ven. Anna Katherina Emmerich. Discuss briefly the lessons learned and virtues taught by their lives, and how to practically apply these virtues in our own daily lives.
		Reference: The Fourteen Holy Helpers by Fr. Bonaventure; Martyrology.
SECOND MEETING:
1.	THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE & DEVOTION: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)			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.
	Reference: Martyrology; "Light in the Grotto"; Article "Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate – Our Lady of Lourdes": SalveMariaRegina No. 97.
2.	THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS: (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion)				Conclude or review Chapter Eight – The Reason Why Christ Renews His Passion in Holy Mass; pgs. 138-145.
	Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin Von Cochem.
3.	THE SACRED PASSION OF OUR LORD: (15 min. report and discussion)			Read pages 17-22 of The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori, on how necessary it is to meditate on the Passion of Our Divine Redeemer if we are to persevere in the way of life to which we are called as followers of the Crucified.
	Reference: The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.

THIRD MEETING:

1.	THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)		Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Antioch - the role and function of the Papacy as established by Jesus Christ. Review the doctrinal teachings regarding the Papacy, and the solemn definition of the Dogma of Papal Infallibility by the Vatican Council in 1870. Discuss the present attacks upon this dogma by the false popes of the Vatican II sect, as well as the phony traditionalists.
	Reference: "Instructions on the Papacy—St. Peter's Chair at Antioch."
2.	THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT: (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion)				Discuss "The Holy Season of Lent: Part II – The Mystery of Lent".
	Reference: Article: The Holy Season of Lent: Part II - The Mystery of Lent
3.		COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: (10 min. report & reflection)		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. Matthias; St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin; St. Peter Damian; and St. Margaret of Cortona. Discuss briefly the lessons learned and virtues taught by their lives, and how to practically apply these virtues in our own daily lives.
		Reference: Martyrology.

FOURTH MEETING:

1.	THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)		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 current Season of Lent.
	Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 119
2.	THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS: (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion)			Discuss Chapter Nine – In the Holy Mass the Death of Christ is Renewed; pgs. 146-156.
	Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin Von Cochem.
3.		SACRIFICE, PENANCE, REPARATION: (10 min. report & reflection		Discuss ways to fulfill the request of Our Lady of Fatima in light of the Season of Lent.
		Reference: Article – Unless Ye do Penance

CLOSING PRAYERS:	* (First Meeting): Prayer in Honor of the Holy Childhood * (Subsequent Meetings): Prayer in Honor of the Holy Face of Jesus * Fatima Prayers * Hymn: O Sanctissima, or O Sacred Head
LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH:	* "New Hope" * Unless Ye do Penance

Cell Plan of Apostolic Action for February

*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, First Saturday, Our Lady of Lourdes, The Flight into Egypt (the devotional end of the Christmas-Epiphany Season), 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, & 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.

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: Offer daily devotions as a family in honor of the Holy Childhood of Jesus, and implore the grace to pattern your family after the Holy Family; discuss the Holy Child as a perfect model for imitation, especially in humility, obedience, charity, and attentiveness to daily duty.

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, 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: Look ahead to the forthcoming Season of Lent, and plan your personal program of prayer and penance, in union with the Sorrows of Our Immaculate Mother, and the bitter Passion of Our Divine Lord.