January Cell Program 2008

Fatima Cell Program for January

Themes

The Holy Name of Jesus: Holy Mother Church, having made known to us the Incarnation of the Son of God in the glorious Feast of His Nativity, now unfolds to us, during this month, the glories of His Most Holy Name. The origin of the feast of the Holy Name goes back to the sixteenth century. Among the Israelites a child received his name at the rite of Circumcision. On the day that the Divine Infant was Circumcised, He received the Name of Jesus, which signifies ‘Savior’, and which had been given Him by the Angel before He was conceived. That Name, so beautiful, so glorious, the Divine Child did not wish to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning. Already at the moment of His Circumcision He showed Himself a Savior by shedding for us that Blood, of which a single drop is more than sufficient for the ransom and salvation of the whole world. The Church begins the year with the Name of Jesus, because She wishes that it should be imprinted upon us each day of that year. May the adorable Name of Jesus be impressed, above all, upon our whole being, upon all our actions; may it ever be on our lips, and in our hearts! “Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17)

The Holy Family: Concerning Christ’s hidden life at Nazareth with Mary and Joseph, the Gospels merely tell us that “He was subject to them”, and that He “advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.” Having stooped so far as to take a nature like to ours, sin excepted, He wished also to be “obedient unto death.” Jesus could say of His Mother and Foster Father what He said of His Heavenly Father, I do always the things that please them. Out of a life of thirty-three years, Jesus, Who is Eternal Wisdom, chose to pass thirty years in silence and obscurity, obedience and labor. Truly, He is a hidden God! Moreover, the Holy Family is a model for all Christian families. In the family life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are exemplified the proper relations that should exist between husband and wife, parents and children. There was filial devotion to God in that family circle of the three holiest Persons Who ever lived. While Saint Joseph supported the Holy Family by his labor, Mary managed the household, and Jesus assisted both of them. They were united in their daily tasks, and sanctified them by prayer and meditation. By practicing the domestic virtues of charity, obedience, and mutual help, they sanctified family life. We should often implore them to sanctify our own families by their example and intercession. Our Lady lamented at Fatima, "Many marriages are not pleasing to God." In order to understand what makes marriage and family life truly pleasing to God, we need only consider the example of the Holy Family. To be centered in Christ there is an absolute necessity of daily family prayer and spiritual reading; and an absolute need of parental supervision and discipline of the children, lest they be ruined by permissiveness and liberalism. Consider the critical value and importance of Fatima "family cells."

The Chair of Unity Octave: The Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome is celebrated on January 18th. The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is observed on January 25th. Holy Mother Church has always united her praises for the Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter, with Her veneration for the zeal and holiness of St. Paul, a "vessel of election" for the spread of the infant Church. Thus, She has reserved eight days of solemn prayer—from the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul—for the observance of "The Chair of Unity Octave"; eight days of solemn prayer for the Apostolic Catholic Church. The only unity for which the Church and her faithful children can pray, is that which results from the conversion of those who are outside the One, True Fold of the Church. Thus, each of the days of the Chair of Unity Octave is dedicated to prayers for the conversion of some poor segment of mankind which is still "walking in darkness," imploring that they may open their hearts to God's grace, and be converted to the true Shepherd of their souls. This is the exercise of true charity. To imagine, as do the liberal ecumenists of our day, that we can achieve "unity" by pretending that those outside the Church do not stand in desperate need of conversion, is to deny the foundation of Christ's True Church, and to renounce the very reason for the heroic apostolic labors and martyrdom of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

OPENING PRAYERS:

* Come Holy Ghost * The Rosary with meditation on each mystery
* Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel * Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

* Prayers to the Divine Infant Jesus * Hymn: Adeste Fideles or other Christmas Hymn

MEDITATION:

* from the Imitation of Christ or True Devotion to 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)			Discuss the history and significance of the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6^th.
		Reference: Article – “Feast of the Epiphany” in Salve Maria Regina No. 151; also see *Salve Maria Regina No. 129*.
2.		THE HOLY FAMILY: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)	"MANY MARRIAGES ARE NOT PLEASING TO GOD." Discuss these words of Our Lady of Fatima as they apply to modern family and married life; review what Our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII has written concerning the Holy Family, and discuss a practical application of these principles in our daily lives, especially in light of the words of Our Lady.
		Reference: See this month’s secondary theme; Salve Maria Regina No. 108.
3.		THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: (10 min. report & discussion)	Discuss the beautiful significance of this Holy Name given by the Eternal Father to the Incarnate Word; consider the power and grace of which it is the source, and the reasons for which the Sacred Scriptures tell us that "every knee should bend" at the Holy Name of Jesus. Resolve to call more devoutly upon the Holy Name of Jesus and to consider the tremendous hope and love which it should inspire in our souls.
		Reference: See this month’s primary theme. The Wonders of the Holy Name by O’Sullivan; The Incarnation, Birth, and Infancy of Jesus Christ by Liguori.
SECOND MEETING:
1.	THE LITURGICAL YEAR: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)						Discuss the history and significance of the Season of Septuagesima, which this year begins on January 20^th.
	Reference: Article – “Season of Septuagesima” in *Salve Maria Regina No. 151*.
2.	MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)					Our Lady of Banneux (Jan. 15); also, The Espousals of Our Lady and St. Joseph (Jan. 23) and Our Lady of Cana (Jan. 31) – in connection with these feasts, discuss the Catholic ideals of a truly holy married life.
	Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 118. Encyclical of Pope Pius XI, Casti Connubii, on Holy Matrimony.
3.	THE CHAIR OF UNITY OCTAVE: (10 min. report & discussion)			Discuss the origin and purpose of this important liturgical observance, especially in light of the present false ecumenism of the Vatican II sect. Also, the Conversion of St. Paul; his zealous apostolate for the spread of the early Church.
	Reference: See this month’s third theme, above. Liturgical Prayers and Reflections for the Chair of Unity Octave; encyclical of Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, on True Religious Unity.

THIRD MEETING:

1.	THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS: (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion)			Review Chapter 5: In the Holy Mass, Christ Renews His Nativity.
	Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem.
2.	MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: (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 at 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, 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.
3.	COURT OF THE QUEEN: (10 min. report and discussion)		Discuss the life of the Glorious Father of Christendom, St. Karl the Great, Emperor; also St. John Chrysostom, one of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.
	Reference: Booklet, St. Karl the Great, Emperor; article on St. John Chrysostom in *Salve Maria Regina No. 151*.
CLOSING PRAYERS:			* Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus and Hymn * St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus * Fatima Prayers
LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH:			* "Peace be to You" * "And His Own Received Him Not"

Cell Plan of Apostolic Action for January

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

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

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

¯ New Year's Eve Vigil of Prayer—in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary—imploring God's blessing during the coming year.

¯ Eucharistic all-night vigil on First Friday/Saturday of the month; as well as on January 23rd (The Espousals of Our Lady)—for the strengthening of Catholic family life.

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

¯ Family Practice: Pattern your family after the Holy Family; discuss the Holy Family as your model. Offer daily devotions as a family before the Nativity Scene in order to observe the ongoing Christmas-Epiphany Season, and to grow in your peace, love, and joy.

¯ 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. 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 persons every week and pray the Rosary with them.

¯ Special observance of the Feasts of the Holy Name of Jesus, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, Feast of the Holy Family, the Baptism of Our Lord, Our Lady of Banneux, St. Peter's Chair, the Conversion of St. Paul, and St. Karl the Great.

¯ Personal resolve to always bow our head devoutly at the Holy Name of Jesus.

Saint Louis Marie de Montfort's Prayer to Jesus

O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before Thee, for the grace Thou hast bestowed upon me in giving me to Thy holy Mother through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate in the presence of Thy majesty and my support in my extreme misery. Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Thy side and everywhere: that she may appease Thy just wrath, because I have so often offended Thee; that she may save me from the eternal punishment of Thy justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate Thee, speak to Thee, pray to Thee, approach Thee and please Thee; that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others; in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Thy holy will and seek Thy greater glory in all things. Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world the mercy that Thou hast shown to me! Would that everyone might know I should be already damned, were it not for Mary! Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing! Mary is in me. Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation! And shall I not be entirely hers? Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Savior, send me death rather than such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary. With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross, I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times have given myself to her; but if I have not yet done it as Thou, dear Jesus, dost wish, I now renew this offering a dost desire me to renew it. And if Thou seest in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august Princess, I pray Thee to take it and cast it far from me, for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of Thee.

O Holy Ghost, grant me all these graces. Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance. O Holy Ghost, give me great devotion to Mary, Thy faithful spouse; give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy, so that by her Thou mayest truly form in me Jesus Christ, great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.