FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR MARCH

THEMES:

THE SACRED PASSION OF OUR DIVINE LORD. This month of the Passion imposes on all of us the solemn obligation of seriously reflecting on Our Lady's plea at Fatima for Amendment of Life – She warned: "Men must cease offending God, Who is already too much offended." St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori relates:

"...Our Lord revealed to several holy women – to St. Gertrude, St. Bridget, St. Mechtilde, and St. Catherine of Siena – that they who meditate on His Passion are very dear to Him. According to St. Francis de Sales, the Passion of Our Redeemer should be the ordinary subject of meditation for every Christian. Oh, what an excellent book is the Passion of Jesus! There we understand, better than in any other book, the malice of sin, and also the mercy and love of God for man. To me it appears that Jesus Christ has suffered so many different pains – the scourging, the crowning with thorns, the crucifixion, etc. – that, having before our eyes so many painful mysteries, we might have a variety of different subjects for meditation in His Passion, by which we might excite sentiments of gratitude and love. St. Augustine writes that 'there is no more profitable occupation for the soul than to meditate daily on the Passion of Our Lord'."

If we are in need of true contrition, confidence, gratitude, devotion, fidelity to grace, or zeal and strength in the battle for holiness, the solution is the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. All we need do is imitate the simple but profound devotion and love of St. Bonaventure, St. Konrad of Parzham, and other holy souls who lived the words: "The Cross is my book." O Mater Dolorosa, ora pro nobis!

SAINT JOSEPH. On October 13th, St. Joseph also appeared at Fatima in a tableau representing the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. St. Joseph is uniquely powerful in his ability to intercede for us before the Throne of God. He is the perfect model for Fatima apostles determined to overcome the cancerous spirit of selfishness by the faithful and selfless fulfillment of daily duty. He has also been named and reaffirmed by several Popes as the Patron of the Universal Church, which is now in mortal combat with the countless enemies of Christ. We turn to St. Joseph as we witness the all but universal spread of godless Materialism, proud Rationalism, and slothful Indifferentism. He is our powerful Patron in the battle against these global terrors, these insidious foes, these condemned heresies. May he protect the Universal Church and Her faithful children from diabolical harm to body or soul.

OPENING PRAYERS: * Come Holy Ghost * The Rosary with meditation on each mystery

* The Litany of Our Lady of Loreto * Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

* Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary * Lenten Hymn

* Prayer to Our Sorrowful Mother

MEDITATION: * from "My Imitation of Christ"; or The Glories of Mary on the Immaculate Conception.

STUDY & DISCUSS: * Officer's reports; Cell Memos; reading of the Salve Maria Regina Bulletin or Unless Ye Do Penance.

First Meeting:

1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Review the articles on Ash Wednesday and The Ember Days of Lent (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See links above.
2. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Discuss the Doctrine of Mary, Co-Redemptrix, which declares that Our Lady truly participated in the Redemption of mankind, having been chosen for this office by God Himself. Consider the elements of this doctrine, including God's choice of Our Lady, and Her intimate participation in the Sacrifice and Sufferings of Her Divine Son for our Redemption (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 130.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: : Reflect on two or three Saints from the following: St. Casimir; St. Thomas Aquinas; St. Frances of Rome; St. Gregory the Great; St. Clement Maria Hofbauer (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: See links above.

Second Meeting:

1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Discuss the article on The First Sunday in Lent (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
2. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Review the articles on Our Sorrowful Mother as Co-Redemptrix and Queen of Martyrs (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 120.
3. HOLY SEASON OF LENT: Review the article on The History of Lent. Reference: See link above.

Third Meeting:

1. HOLY SEASON OF LENT: Review the article on The Mystery of Lent (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
2. SAINT JOSEPH appeared at Fatima with Our Lady and the Christ Child on October 13th during the Miracle of the Sun, thus reminding the faithful of the importance of devotion to this glorious Patriarch. Review Fr. Patrignani's article on St. Joseph, Patron of the Agonizing and of a Happy Death. Discuss the three great motives which commend him to us at the dread hour of death and judgment: 1) he is the adopted Father of our Judge; 2) his power over the legions of Hell is very great; and 3) his own death in the company of Jesus and Mary is unparalleled in the ages. Consider ways in which we may secure the assistance of St. Joseph at the hour of our death (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: "Motives for Devotion to St. Joseph: St. Joseph is the Special Patron of the Dying", by Fr. Patrignani.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Reflect on two or three saints from the following: St. Heribert of Cologne; St. Cyril of Jerusalem; St. Benedict; St. John Damascene; St. John Capistrano (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: See links above.

Fourth Meeting:

1. HOLY SEASON OF LENT: Review the article on Practices During Lent (10 min. report, 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
2. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Review the article on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Incarnation of Our Divine Savior in her womb. Discuss the significance and importance of this primary Feast for consecrated slaves of Jesus through Mary (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Reflect on the article St. Gabriel the Archangel – God's Ambassador (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: See link above.

Fifth Meeting:

1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Review the article on Laetare Sunday (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
2. THE ANGEL OF PORTUGAL AND THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Discuss his exhortation to sacrifice, adoration of the Most Holy Trinity, adoration and reparation to Our Divine Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist, etc. Do we appreciate Our Hidden Jesus? (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 121.
3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Reflect on the lives of St. Isidore of Seville and St. Vincent Ferrer (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: See links above.

CLOSING PRAYERS: Prayer to Our Lord on the Cross ... Litany of St. Joseph ... The Fatima Prayers ... Hymn to St. Joseph

LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH: New Hope ... Unless Ye Do Penance

CELL PLAN OF APOSTOLIC ACTION FOR MARCH

* Make an act of compassion for Our Sorrowful Mother at every hour.

* To promote the Message of Fatima ... * Sanctification of self, family, neighbor

* Conversion of sinners, salvation of souls ... * Adoration, reparation, total consecration