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 Tender, but sadly also Pierced 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.

 THE LITURGICAL YEAR:
(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

As the Season of Christmas closes, discuss the article, “Practice During Christmas – Our Spiritual Birth with Christ.”

 

Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 155.

2.

THE PURIFCATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY:
(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

Discuss the Liturgical Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (February 2 – Candlemas Day), together with the Blessing of Candles and Procession.

 

Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 155.

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; Mother Mariana de Jesús Torres; 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 specific links above.)
       

SECOND MEETING:

 

1.

THE LITURGICAL YEAR:
(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

Review the article, “The Season of Septuagesima.”

 

Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 151.

2.

THE SORROWS OF MARY:

(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

In light of the Feasts of the Purification (February 2) and the Flight Into Egypt (February 17), as well as the upcoming Season of Lent, discuss these two Sorrows of Our Lady.

 

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

3.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE & DEVOTION: (10 min. report & 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: Cover article "Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate – Our Lady of Lourdes" (Salve Maria Regina No. 97).
         

THIRD MEETING:

1.

THE LITURGICAL YEAR:
(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

As we prepare for the Season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 25, we reflect with sorrow that much of the world is busy offending God with carnival revelries.  Discuss the article, “Origin of the Forty Hours Devotion.”

 

Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 151.

2.

THE SORROWS OF MARY:

(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

In light of the Feast of the Finding in the Temple (February 21) and of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin (February 27), as well as the upcoming Season of Lent, discuss the Third Sorrow of Our Lady.

 

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; Resolutions of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin.
         

FOURTH MEETING:

1.

THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT:

(10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)

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 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, Salve Maria Regina No. 119.

3.

THE SACRED PASSION OF

OUR LORD:

(10 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 Our Crucified King.

 

Reference: The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.
         

 

 

CLOSING PRAYERS:

* 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

 

v Encourage veneration of the Miraculous Medal by example.

 

v Make an act of love and devotion to Our Immaculate Queen at every hour.

 

v To promote the Message of Fatima   v Sanctification of self, family, neighbor


v Conversion of sinners, salvation of souls   v Adoration, reparation, total consecration

 

v      Eucharistic all-night vigil on First Friday/Saturday of the month.

v      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), First Saturday, Our Lady of Lourdes, The Flight into Egypt, St. Bernadette Soubirous, and St. Peter's Chair at Antioch (refer to Calendar).

v      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.

v      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.)

v      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."

v      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.

v      Personal resolve: to honor Our Lady in a special way on Saturdays.

v      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.

v      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.

v      Personal resolve: Plan your personal program of prayer and penance for the 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!