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 saving Blood was first shed at the Circumcision of the Divine Child. It was again poured out in the bloody sweat of Agony in the Garden of Olives, at the Scourging and at the Crowning with Thorns, at the cruel nailing of the Body of Christ to the Cross, and finally when "one of the soldiers opened His side with a spear, and there came out Blood and water". 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 Lifes Blood to the very last drop when His Sacred Heart was pierced. Now, if He willingly shed His very Lifes 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 significancean 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: | Come Holy Ghost | The Rosary with meditation on each mystery |
The Litany of Our Lady of Loretto | Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel | |
Prayer to St. Joseph after the Rosary | Hymn: Holy Mary, Mother Mild | |
Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel | ||
MEDITATION: | from "My Imitation of Christ" | |
STUDY & DISCUSS: | Officer's reports; Cell Memos; reading from the Salve Maria Regina Bulletin. |
First Meeting
MARY IN DOCTRINE AND DEVOTION:
Feasts of Our Lady - the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (July 2) and Mary,
Mediatrix of All Graces (July 10). 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. (15 min. report &
discussion)
Reference: "The Glories of Mary" by Liguori (ch. 5); "True
Devotion to Mary" by De Montfort; Sermons - "Feast of the Visitation," and
"Mary, our Mother and Mediatrix;" Marian
Meditations - the Visitation.
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
this meeting: 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. (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.
Second Meeting
FORCES OF ERROR: Unmasking
Chardins Modernist Manifesto. Continue our review of the career of this foremost
architect of the new religion of Vatican II. Discuss "A Corruption of Sacramental
Intention." Draw upon the Most Reverend Bishops conference on "The
Destruction of the Mass and the Sacraments" (ES-75-1) and the Catechism lessons on
Baptism in order to identify this heresy in the apostate sect of Vatican II.
Reference: "Unmasking Chardin's Modernist
Manifesto"; "The Destruction of the Mass and the Sacraments";
Catechism.
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 Apostolatethe 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: Sermon "The Brown Scapular, Sign of Consecration" by
Bishop Francis Konrad Maria; leaflet "Living
our Scapular Consecration"; "Pledge of Life
Eternal--Our Lady's Gift of the Brown Scapular".
PRAYER--THE CHIEF DUTY OF THE CHRISTIAN: Consider (for the second time) how even sinners may pray with confidence in God. St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori proves that God most certainly does hear the pleas of those who are burdened with sin. If this were not the case, no sinner would ever find forgiveness and be brought to repentance. In order to be heard, however, he must humbly acknowledge his sins and implore the Divine Assistance for the purpose of overcoming his vices. God is not like frail humans, who bear a grudge after suffering an injury; He has promised that He will not remember our sins if we sincerely repent of them. (10 min. report; 10 min. discussion) Reference: Prayer, the Chief Duty of the Christian: "How Sinners May Pray With Confidence in God".
Third
MeetingTHE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE: Introduction to the Catechism, part III. WE CANNOT ATTAIN PERFECT HAPPINESS ON THIS EARTH.
Earthly goods, such as riches, honors, and pleasures, cannot by themselves make us happy, for they cannot satisfy our soul, even though we should possess them all, because man is made for God and for everlasting happiness in Heaven. The things of this world also cannot make us happy because all earthly things are vain and perishable, and they often only make life more bitter. Besides, they must be left behind when the hour of death comes. "For when he shall die, he shall take nothing away: nor shall his glory descend with him." (Ps. 48:18)
The things of this world were given to us that through them we may attain to eternal happiness, by using them for the purpose of knowing, loving, and serving God. "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be given you besides." (Matt. 6:33)
Only the Gospel of Christ is capable of giving us a partial happiness amidst the trials of this life on earth, for he who follows the teaching of Christ is certain to have peace in his soul. The teaching of Christ can alone satisfy the heart of man, because he who follows Christ cannot be made unhappy by the trials of this life and by earthly sufferings.
He who follows Christ will suffer persecution; but these persecutions can do him no real harm, which is sin and separation from God. These can be effected only through our voluntary choice to turn away from God.
Hence perfect happiness is impossible on earth, for no man can entirely avoid suffering. Society will always be full of all kinds of miseries, whatever efforts may be made to improve the condition of mankind. The goal of modern social democrats who dream of gradually abolishing all evil and misery, is vain and illusory. (15 min. report; 10 min. discussion) Reference: Traditional Catholic Catechism-Introduction, part III.
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. (10 min. report - 5 min. discussion) Reference: "Our Lady's Words to Jacinta;" and "Long, Hot Summer leads to Long, Hot Eternity."
PRAYER: THE CHIEF DUTY OF THE CHRISTIAN: Consider the fourth condition which St. Thomas Aquinas lays down for our prayers to be heard by God, that is, to pray with perseverance. Our prayers must be humble and confident (as we have already discussed); but this is not enough to obtain final perseverance, and thereby eternal life. Individual prayers will obtain the individual graces which they ask of God; but unless they are persevering, they will not obtain final perseverance: which, as it is the accumulation of many graces, requires many prayers, that are not to cease until our death. The grace of salvation is not merely a single grace, but a wonderful "chain of graces", all of which are at last bound together with the grace of final perseverance. Now, to this chain of graces there ought to correspond another chain (as it were) of our prayers; if by neglecting to pray, we break the chain of our prayers, the chain of graces will be broken also; and as it is by these graces that we have to obtain salvation, we shall not be saved if we fail to pray always. Reference: Article "We Must Pray with Perseverance" by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori.
Fourth Meeting
FORCES OF ERROR: Unmasking Chardins Modernist Manifesto. The career of this foremost architect of the Vatican II sect is riddled with scientific blunders which should have long ago discredited his "renown" as a scientist. So eager, however, has the modern scientific community been to substantiate the fallacy of Evolution, that Chardins part in the fraudulent discovery of the "missing link" at Piltdown, England in the Summer of 1913, is conveniently overlooked. Review the true story of this notorious caper, and discuss what it discloses about the real beliefs of Teilhard de Chardin. Reference: "Unmasking Chardin's Modernist Manifesto."
CERTAIN FASHIONS THREATEN TO RETARD OUR LADYS TRIUMPH AND WORLD PEACE: Is it a sin to wear shorts, strapless dresses, short skirts, pants, modern swimwear, etc.? These questions continue to disturb even so-called "conservative Catholics" almost a century after the disrobing trend began in feminine attire at the close of the First World War. True Catholics, trained in the virtues of modesty and purity, refuse to be stampeded by "the crowd" into accepting these hedonistic fashions. They know that the Blessed Virgin Mary will never approve of these pagan styles which are so contrary to the Christian traditions of modesty. Our Blessed Mother knew in advance the moral havoc that would follow the introduction of these unholy fashions. This is why she came personally at Fatima in 1917 to forewarn us. At the same time she gave the answer in advance to the question, "Is it a sin to follow these fashions?" To little Jacinta (age seven), the Blessed Virgin Mary entrusted this prophecy and its theology on modern fashions: "Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much." Reference: Article by the Director of the Marylike Crusade, Rev. Father Bernard Kunkel.
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? This week discuss two or three of the following: St. Camillus de Lellis; St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht; St. Margaret of Antioch, Holy Helper; St. Mary Magdalene; St. Francis Solano; St. James the Greater; St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Sts. Christopher & Pantaleon, Holy Helpers; St. Ignatius Loyola. (10 min. report & reflection; briefly discuss application) Reference: Martyrology; "The Fourteen Holy Helpers."
CLOSING PRAYERS: | Prayer to
the Precious Blood of Jesus Prayer to the Precious Blood for the Dying |
The Fatima Prayers Hymn: To the Precious Blood |
LEAFLET OF THE MONTH: | Living our Scapular Consecration (.30 each; 15 for 4.00) |
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 the teenagers 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; place modesty posters in churches and public places; 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; pray for the success of the Fatima apostolate of our Missionary Religious this day, especially during the current missions to bring souls to the true Catholic Faith through the Immaculate Heart of 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 an apostolic progress chart for this year - new Fatima pledges distributed and signed, new Cells formed, leaflets distributed, Cell projects, spreading of the Fatima Crusade in your area;
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 Saturday, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.