FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR MAY

 

THEME – DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY:

v      Study of Her life, Her apparitions, and Her integral role in the Divine Plan for the Redemption and Salvation of mankind.

v      Fervent and zealous participation of all Fatima Crusaders in special daily devotions in Her honor.

v      Devout participation in May processions honoring Our Lady, especially on the Feast of Her Queenship.

v      Total Consecration to Mary – the De Montfort "Holy Slavery of Love" as the precise fulfillment of Our Lady's request at Fatima for consecration to Her Immaculate Heart; truly living as a consecrated slave of Mary.

 

 

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

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

* Hymn: 'Tis the Month of Our Mother                        * Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to St. Joseph after the Rosary

 

MEDITATION:                        * from "True Devotion to Mary" or  "The Path of Mary"

 

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

 

 

First Meeting:

 

1.       THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: In preparation for the Feast of Pentecost (May 11), discuss Part 1 of the article on the “Feast of Pentecost” (10 min. report;10 min. discussion).  Reference:  Salve Maria Regina No. 152.

 

2.       MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Discuss devotion to Mary under these titles: Mary, Spouse of the Holy Ghost (May 9) and Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (May 13).  How does Our Lady give us an example of devotion to the Holy Ghost and the Most Blessed Sacrament?  (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion.)  Reference: See links above.

 

3.       THE COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: 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.  Read the following list of feasts, and choose 2-3 saints to reflect upon during this meeting: St. Athanasius; St. Monica; Pope St. Pius V; St. John before the Latin Gate; St. Stanislaus of Cracow; St. Michael the Archangel; St. Achatius; St. Gregory Nazianzen; St. Robert Bellarmine; St. Boniface.  (15 min. report & reflection; 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; The Fourteen Holy Helpers; St. Michael and the Angels; article on St. Stanislaus of Cracow in Salve Maria Regina No. 148; article on St. Gregory Nazianzen in Salve Maria Regina No. 143.

 

Second Meeting:

 

1.       THE FEAST OF PENTECOST: Discuss Part 2 of the article on the “Feast of Pentecost.”  Also discuss one or more of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost (10 min. report;10 min. discussion).  Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 152; Novena to the Holy Ghost.

 

2.       LIVING THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA: The First Apparition of Our Lady on May 13, 1917; study Her words to the Fatima children on this occasion, and the lessons to be drawn therefrom.  Focus especially on Our Lady's request for a willing reparation to be made for sin.  Examine how the little children responded so generously to Our Lady's plea by offering up heroic sacrifices of physical penance (and even persecution) for the conversion of poor sinners and for the Holy Father (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: "Our Lady Came to Fatima, the First Apparition" – Supplement to Salve Maria Regina No. 131.

 

3.       THE COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Discuss the life and martyrdom of St. John Nepomucene (10 min. report & reflection).  Reference: Article on St. John Nepomucene in Salve Maria Regina No. 152.

 

Third Meeting:

 

1.       CATHOLIC LITURGY AND TRADITION: Discuss the historical origin of the Feast of Corpus Christi and the reason for instituting this beautiful festival honoring the Most Blessed Sacrament on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.  Consider also the importance of making reparation to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus; the significance of the “Fatima Prayers”, taught by the Angel of Portugal to the three little children, expressing the profound Mystery of the Blessed Eucharist; the importance of a fervent spiritual preparation for the reception of Holy Communion; the importance of spiritual Communions when unable to receive sacramentally; what is meant by living a truly "Eucharistic life", and how this is always evident in souls who are fervently living their Total Consecration to Mary (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: The Holy Eucharist by Liguori; The Blessed Eucharist by Mueller; article – “The Angel of Portugal”; article – “The Historical Origin of the Feast of Corpus Christi”.

 

2.       MARY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS: Discuss the history and significance of this Feast (May 24).  (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion.)  Reference: Article on the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians in Salve Maria Regina No. 152; cover article from Salve Maria Regina No. 111.

 

3.       THE COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Choose 2-3 saints to reflect upon during this meeting: St. Simon Stock; St. Andrew Bobola; St. Paschal Baylon; Ss. Philip & James; St. Rita of Cascia; St. Phillip Neri; St. Bede the Venerable; St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (10 min. report & reflection; 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; article on St. Simon Stock and the Brown Scapular, Pledge of Life Eternal – Our Lady's Gift of the Brown Scapular; excerpt from Pope Pius XII’s Encyclical on St. Andrew Bobola.

 

Fourth Meeting:

 

1.       THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Discuss the article on the Season after Pentecost (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion.)  Reference: Article, “The Season after Pentecost” in Salve Maria Regina No. 149.

 

2.       AD CÆLI REGINAM: Discuss the institution of the Feast of the Queenship of Mary by Pope Pius XII, promulgated in this Encyclical (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion).  Reference: Encyclical Ad Cæli Reginam of Pope Pius XII.

 

3.       THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Discuss the necessity of growing in the Love of God (10 min. report & discussion.)  Reference: Article, “The Love of God” in Salve Maria Regina No. 137.

 

 

CLOSING PRAYERS:

 

·      Mary, Immaculate Queen of the Universe

·      The Fatima Prayers   

 

·         De Montfort's Prayer to Mary

·         Hymn: Hail, Holy Queen

Leaflet of the Month:

·      The Fatima Pledge

·      Ad Cæli Reginam

 

 

Cell Plan of Apostolic Action for May

 

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

 

v Honor Our Blessed Mother every day by beautifully decorating Her Shrine and Image, and always keeping fresh flowers before Her.

 

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 – First Saturday of the month.

 

v      Pray the Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary daily during May.

 

v      Family practice: Enthrone Mary Immaculate as Queen of your home and family with a special ceremony of procession and coronation.  Each member of the family takes turns placing fresh flowers and vigil candles on the altar of Her Queenship, which should be in the CENTRAL PLACE OF HONOR IN YOUR HOME, next to the altar of the Sacred Heart of Christ our King.

 

v      Twenty-four hour Vigil of Reparation on May 13th, the anniversary of Our Lady's first apparition at Fatima; pray for the strengthening of Catholic family life; the spread of the Fatima Crusade and the growth of the Fatima Cell Movement; and for the perseverance of the remnant faithful still determined to remain faithful to the doctrines and traditions of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church.

 

v      Special observance of the Feasts of Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Mary, Help of Christians, Mary, Queen of Apostles, and the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

v      Pope Pius XII decreed that every parish should be annually re-consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on May 31st, Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Adorn Our Lady's altar with flowers and candles.  Participate in the procession and coronation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  If this is not possible, then organize your own as a family or with all the families of the Cell together.

 

v      Personal Resolve: To grow every day during this month in our love, respect, and true devotion to Our Blessed Mother, by the fervent imitation of Her virtues, especially the virtue of modesty.

 

v      Make visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly.  Encourage them with spiritual conversation; distribute Fatima pledges, brown scapulars, Miraculous Medals, Sacred Heart badges, and leaflets to those open to receiving and using these spiritual aids.