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 Bleeding Heart.

 

 

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.

 TRAIL OF THE SERPENT:

(10 min. report; 15 min. discussion)

Discuss the errors of evolutionists pointed out in the article, “Geology and the Deluge.”

 

Reference: The Reign of Mary No. 53.

2.

TITLES OF OUR LADY FROM THE LITANY OF LORETO:

(15 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

Discuss the title, “Mother Most Admirable” and the example cited of the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne through the Miraculous Medal.

 

Reference: The Reign of Mary No. 53.

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; Seven Holy Founders of the Servites; Ven. Jacinta Marto.  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 - see links above.
         

 

SECOND MEETING:

 

1.

THE HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS:
(15 min. report;
10 min. discussion)

The Holy Childhood of Jesus (Feast-Feb. 13) and the Feast of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Feb. 20).  Discuss the important lesson of subjection and hiddenness which the Divine Child teaches us in these mysteries, especially in light of the choice of Our Lady's messengers for the Divine message: three humble shepherd children. Recall the virtues that will make us resemble little children, that we too, may enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Reference: The Incarnation, Birth, and Infancy of Jesus Christ and The Glories of Mary (Section on the Seven Sorrows of Mary) by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.

2.

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: Sermon tape on Our Lady of Lourdes by Bishop + Francis Konrad Maria; Martyrology; Cover article "Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate – Our Lady of Lourdes" (Salve Maria Regina Issue #97).

3.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT:

(10 min. report & discussion)

Discuss this, the Second Sorrow of Mary, and the final feast of Our Lord’s Childhood in the Liturgical Year, especially in light of the transition from the Epiphany Season to Lent.

 

Reference: The Glories of Mary (Section on the Seven Sorrows of Mary) by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.
         

 

THIRD MEETING:

1.

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 21st.  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."

2.

THE SORROWS OF MARY:

(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

In light of the Season of Lent and the upcoming feast of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, discuss one or more of the Sorrows of Our Lady which were occasioned by the Passion of Her Divine Son.

 

Reference: The Glories of Mary (Section on the Seven Sorrows of Mary) by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.

3.

COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN:

(10 min. report & reflection)

Choose two of the Saints listed: St. Bernadette Soubirous, the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch; 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; see link above.
         

 

FOURTH MEETING:

1.

THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS:

(15 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

Review the first part of Chapter 8: “In the Holy Mass Christ Renews His Passion;” pgs. 128-138.

 

Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem.

2.

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 Season of Lent.

 

Reference: See cover article, Issue #119 of Salve Maria Regina.

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.
         

 

 

CLOSING PRAYERS:

* (First Three Meetings): Prayer in Honor of the Holy Childhood

* (Fourth Meeting): Prayer in Honor of the Holy Face of Jesus

* Fatima Prayers               * Hymn: O Sanctissima

LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH:

* "New Hope"

* "Unless Ye Do Penance"

 

Cell Plan of Apostolic Action for February

 

R To promote the Message of Fatima R Sanctification of self, family, neighbor
R Conversion of sinners, salvation of souls R 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.