FATIMA CELL PROGRAM FOR FEBRUARY

THEMES:

THE HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS: Jesus, having been found by His Parents in the Temple, answered their loving concern with the simple words: "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2: 49) Yet, Jesus then "went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them" (Ibid. 51). Rather than spending the years of His Childhood in manifesting His Divine Power, He preferred to teach mankind, by His own example, the sublime virtues of humility, obedience, simplicity, and hiddenness, which so endear us to the Eternal Father. Later He said: "Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt. 18: 3). This sublime lesson is reflected in the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, as she made the exclusive choice of three uneducated shepherd children, entrusting to them the most important message of the twentieth century. As we meditate upon the profound humility of the Son of God-made-Man in His blessed Childhood, let us also be resolved to react with the simplicity, humility, and faith of Francisco and Jacinta, as we strive to "be about our Father's business" (our own sanctification), fervently living the message of Fatima!

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 away (as hollow Christians do) with repugnance from the disfigured Countenance of our Crucified Master, let us learn to "make everything that we do a sacrifice", as the Angel of Portugal counseled the three Fatima children. Let us console Our Lord by making reparation to His Most Sacred and Tender, but sadly too, Pierced and Bleeding Heart.

_____________________________________________________

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 * The Lourdes Ave

* Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

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.

_____________________________________________________

First Meeting:

  1. MARIAN SHRINES AND APPARITIONS: Review the article: Our Lady of Good Success (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
  2. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION: Review the articles on Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate – Our Lady of Lourdes and Eucharistic Miracles at Lourdes (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See links above.
  3. 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. Among them: St. John of Matha; St. Cyril of Alexandria; Seven Holy Founders of the Servites; St. Bernadette Soubirous (see article on Our Lady of Lourdes); (Choose two or three of the Saints listed for a 10-15 min. report and reflection). Reference: See links above.

Second Meeting:

  1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Review the articles on the Origin of the 40 Hours Devotion and Ash Wednesday (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See links above.
  2. THE SORROWS OF MARY: Review the First Three Sorrows of Our Lady, which are commemorated this Month (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: Excerpts from The Glories of Mary on Our Lady's Sorrows.
  3. THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT: Review any of the articles: The History of Lent; The Mystery of Lent; Practices During Lent (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: see links above.

Third Meeting:

  1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Review the articles: The First Sunday of Lent and The Ember Days of Lent (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See links above.
  2. CELEBRATED SANCTUARIES OF THE MADONNA: Review Part V – Our Lady of Lourdes (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
  3. COURT OF OUR HEAVENLY QUEEN: Choose two or three of the Saints listed: St. Barbatus; Ven. Jacinta Marto; St. Peter Damian; St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin; St. Leander of Seville; Ven. Francisco Marto; St. Swithbert. Discuss briefly the lessons learned and virtues taught by their lives, and how to practically apply these virtues in our own daily lives (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: Resolutions of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin; see other links above.

Fourth Meeting:

  1. THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC LITURGY: Discuss the article: Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion). Reference: See link above.
  2. THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS: 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 upcoming Season of Lent (5-10 min. report and discussion). Reference: Salve Maria Regina No. 119.
  3. THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT: Review the article: The Second Sunday of Lent (10 min. report and reflection). Reference: see link above.

CLOSING PRAYERS: Prayer in honor of the Holy Face of Jesus . . . The Fatima Prayers . . . Hymn, O Sanctissima

LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH: New Hope.

CELL PLAN OF APOSTOLIC ACTION FOR FEBRUARY

* Encourage veneration of the Miraculous Medal by example.

* Make an act of love and devtion to Our Immaculate Queen at every hour.

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

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

Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional Valid CSS!