FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR JULY

Themes

THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS. The Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus was established by Pope Pius IX in order to perpetuate the memory of the triumph of the allied Christian armies in 1849 over the revolution which had driven the Pope from Rome.  But this observance commemorates, above all, the triumph of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ over the powers of evil.  It is the inestimable Price paid for our Redemption.  This Precious Blood was symbolized by the victims of the Old Law; yet it is this Divine Blood alone, by virtue of Its infinite efficacy, which can wash us free from all sin, and infallibly sanctify us, if we avail ourselves of the Sacraments which our Savior has given us, especially the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.  A single drop of the Precious Blood of Jesus would have sufficed to save us, for, being the God-Man, everything in Him is of infinite value.  But it was to manifest to us the extent of His love that He shed His Life’s Blood to the very last drop when His Sacred Heart was pierced.  Now, if He willingly shed His very Life’s Blood for us, it is but right that we should live only for Him, and sanctify each and every moment of our lives, the graces of which have been purchased by His most Precious Blood.

 

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL. On October 13th, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared at Fatima as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in a tableau representing the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.  Discuss the origin of the Brown Scapular as a gift from the Blessed Virgin Mary; its significance—an outward sign of our interior consecration to her; the Scapular Apostolate, the spreading of devotion to Our Lady and her mantle of mercy, teaching others to wear it with piety and devotion; making and piously (prudently!) distributing Brown Scapulars; the Novena and Devotions to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

 

OPENING PRAYERS:

 

 

MEDITATION:

STUDY & DISCUSS:

* Come Holy Ghost

* The Litany of Loretto

* Hymn: Holy Mary, Mother Mild

* from the "Imitation of Christ"

* Officer's reports; Cell Memos

* The Rosary with meditation on each mystery

* Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

* Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

 

* Reading of the Salve Maria Regina Bulletin.

 

First Meeting

1.      CATHOLIC LITURGY & TRADITION: The Month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus (Feast: July 1). Discuss the practice of living in union with Jesus Crucified, sanctifying each moment purchased by His Precious Blood, the price of our Redemption.  Review the article, "The Most Precious Blood" (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: see link above.

 

2.      MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Feasts of Our Lady – the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (July 2), Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces (July 10), and Our Lady of the Precious Blood (July 21).  Discuss the historical significance of the institution of the Feast of the Visitation of Our Lady, and the lessons of charity to be drawn from her example; discuss the importance of Our Lady's role as Mediatrix of All Graces, and how a true devotion to Mary is founded on this unique doctrinal prerogative.  Review the proofs that God Himself has designated this singular office for Our Lady (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (ch. 5); True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis Marie De Montfort; Salve Maria Regina No. 98, cover article – "The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Precious Blood of Jesus."

 

3.      NECESSITY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD:  What would the world be like without the Precious Blood of Jesus?  What would be our lot, if the graces of the Precious Blood were more difficult to obtain?  (15 min. report and reflection.)  Reference:  Salve Maria Regina No. 139, cover article – "The Necessity of the Precious Blood of Jesus."

 

Second Meeting

1.      THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS: Discuss pgs. 220-231 of Chapter 15 – “Holy Mass is the Most Powerful Sin-Offering” (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem.

 

2.      THE BROWN SCAPULAR: On October 13th, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared at Fatima as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in a tableau representing the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.  Discuss the lessons of this vision, as well as the origin of the Brown Scapular as a gift from the Blessed Virgin Mary; its significance – an outward sign of our interior consecration to her, which must be accompanied by a fervent living of the teachings of her Divine Son.  Discuss the Scapular Apostolate – the spreading of devotion to Our Lady and her mantle of mercy, teaching others to wear it with piety and devotion; making and distributing Brown Scapulars – with prudence – to those who understand its significance; the Novena and Devotions to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (15 min. report – 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Article – "Living our Scapular Consecration"; article – “With Rosary and Scapular”; "Lessons from the Roman Breviary…for July 16th" – Salve Maria Regina No. 139.

 

3.      THE ASCETICAL DOCTRINE OF ST. ALPHONSUS: “Means to Acquire the Love of God” (10 min. report and reflection).  Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 139 (link above).

 

 

Third Meeting

1.       WHERE WE GOT THE BIBLE: Discuss Chapter IV – The Catholic Church Compiles the New Testament (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Where We Got the Bible by Right Rev. Henry G. Graham.

 

2.       THE GREAT PROMISE OF THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS: It was during the Third Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, on July 13th, 1917, that the Blessed Virgin promised, “I shall come to ask for… the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays…”  Our Lady fulfilled this promise on December 10th, 1925, when she revealed the Great Promise of the Five First Saturdays.  Discuss the details of this Promise and how we should fulfill Our Lady’s requests for reparation (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: “The Great Promise of the Five First Saturdays.”

 

3.       COURT OF THE QUEEN: How does meditating upon the lives of the saints inspire us to a more perfect living of our consecration to our Heavenly Queen?  Discuss two or three of the following: St. Otto of Bamberg; St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria; St. Thomas More & St. John Fisher; Sts. Cyril & Methodius; St. Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal; St. Maria Goretti; St. Veronica; St. John Gualbert; St. Camillus de Lellis; St. Heinrich II; St. Margaret of Antioch, Holy Helper; St. Mary Magdalene; St. Francis Solano; St. James the Greater; Sts. Christopher & Pantaleon, Holy Helpers; St. Ignatius Loyola (15 min. report & reflection; briefly discuss application).  Reference: Martyrology; The Fourteen Holy Helpers; Salve Maria Regina No. 113 – cover article on St. Ignatius.

 

 

Fourth Meeting

1.      THE INCREDIBLE CATHOLIC MASS: Discuss pgs. 232-240 of Chapter 15 – “The Manner in Which Holy Mass Effects the Forgiveness of Sin and the Conversion of Hardened Sinners” (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: The Incredible Catholic Mass by Fr. Martin von Cochem.

 

2.      FATIMA AND THE SCAPULAR: Discuss the significance which the Brown Scapular had in the Message of Fatima (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 104, cover article – "Fatima and the Scapular"; article – "Pledge of Life Eternal.”

 

3.      COURT OF THE QUEEN: St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary – July 26th (15 min. report and discussion.  Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 124 (link above).

 

 

Fifth Meeting

1.    WHERE WE GOT THE BIBLE: Discuss Chapter V – Deficiencies of the Protestant Bible (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Where We Got the Bible by Right Rev. Henry G. Graham.

 

2.    MORE SOULS GO TO HELL FOR SINS OF THE FLESH... "CERTAIN FASHIONS ARE BEING INTRODUCED WHICH GRAVELY OFFEND MY DIVINE SON."  In light of these words of Our Lady to Jacinta, discuss the current moral decay in our society and the flagrant immodesty in the media and in Summer fashions.  Discuss the necessity of imitating Our Lady's virtues, especially her modesty, if we are to faithfully live our Scapular consecration to her (15 min. report and discussion).  Reference: "Our Lady's Words to Jacinta"; "Marylike Standards of Modesty" and "Long, Hot Summer leads to Long, Hot Eternity".

 

3.    THE WISDOM OF HOLINESS: “The Danger of Putting Off Our Repentance” (15 min. report and reflection).  Reference: The Wisdom of Holiness, No. 15.

 

CLOSING PRAYERS:

LEAFLET OF THE MONTH:

* Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus   * The Fatima Prayers

* Hymn: To the Precious Blood of Jesus   * Prayer to the Precious Blood for the Dying

* Living our Scapular Consecration

 

Cell Plan of Apostolic Action for July

 

| 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–First Saturday of the month.

*  Family practice: Plan a special daily Summer program to occupy "free" hours of young adults and children in additional prayers, holy hours, spiritual reading, Youth Cell meetings, & apostolic works for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls.

*  Distribute modesty leaflets; insist on strict Marylike modesty in your home and family; avoid all occasions of immodesty.

*  Twenty-four hour Vigil of Reparation on July 13th – Our Lady of Fatima.

*  Sponsor and/or participate in the Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in your Fatima Cell or family.

*  Personal resolve: to wear the Brown Scapular faithfully; read from True Devotion to Mary every day.

*  Make and prudently distribute Brown Scapulars to those who truly value them, especially in homes for the elderly and in hospitals; put up posters and distribute leaflets to promote the wearing of the Brown Scapular.

*  Make weekly visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly.  Brighten up their day with spiritual encouragement and distribute Fatima pledges, Brown Scapulars, Miraculous Medals, issues of the "Reign of Mary", "Salve Maria Regina", and leaflets to those open to receiving and respectfully using these spiritual aids.

 * Special observance of the Feasts of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, First Friday-First Saturday, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.