Fatima Cell Program for January

Themes

The Holy Name of Jesus: Holy Mother Church, having made known to us the Incarnation of the Son of God in the glorious Feast of His Nativity, now unfolds to us, during this month, the glories of His Most Holy Name. The origin of the feast of the Holy Name (Sunday between the Circumcision and the Epiphany, or January 2nd if none) goes back to the sixteenth century. Among the Israelites a child received his name at the rite of Circumcision. On the day that the Divine Infant was Circumcised, He received the Name of Jesus, which signifies ‘Savior’, and which had been given Him by the Angel before He was Conceived. That Name, so beautiful, so glorious, the Divine Child did not wish to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning. Already at the moment of His Circumcision He showed Himself a Savior by shedding for us that Blood, of which a single drop is more than sufficient for the ransom and salvation of the whole world. The Church begins the year with the Name of Jesus, because She wishes that it should be imprinted upon us each day of that year. May the adorable Name of Jesus be impressed, above all, upon our whole being, upon all our actions; may it ever be on our lips, and in our hearts! "Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col. 3:17)

The Holy Family: Concerning Christ’s hidden life at Nazareth with Mary and Joseph, the Gospels merely tell us that "He was subject to them", and that He "advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men." Having stooped so far as to take a nature like to ours, sin excepted, He wished also to be "obedient unto death." Jesus could say of His Mother and Foster Father what He said of His Heavenly Father, I do always the things that please them. Out of a life of thirty-three years, Jesus, Who is Eternal Wisdom, chose to pass thirty years in silence and obscurity, obedience and labor. Truly, He is a hidden God! Moreover, the Holy Family is a model for all Christian families. In the family life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are exemplified the proper relations that should exist between husband and wife, parents and children. There was filial devotion to God in that family circle of the three holiest Persons Who ever lived. While Joseph supported the Holy Family by his labor, Mary managed the household, and Jesus assisted both of them. They were united in their daily tasks, and sanctified them by prayer and meditation. By practicing the domestic virtues of charity, obedience, and mutual help, they sanctified family life. We should often implore them to sanctify our own families by their example and intercession. Our Lady lamented at Fatima, "Many marriages are not pleasing to God." In order to understand what makes marriage and family life truly pleasing to God, we need only consider the example of the Holy Family. To be centered in Christ there is an absolute necessity of daily family prayer and spiritual reading; and an absolute need of parental discipline of the children, lest they be ruined by permissiveness and liberalism. Consider the critical value and importance of Fatima "family cells."

The Chair of Unity Octave: The Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome is celebrated on January 18th. The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is observed on January 25th. Holy Mother Church has always united her praises for the Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter, with Her veneration for the zeal and holiness of St. Paul, a "vessel of election" for the spread of the infant Church. Thus, She has reserved eight days of solemn prayer—from the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul—from the observance of "The Chair of Unity Octave"; eight days of solemn prayer for the Apostolic Catholic Church. The only unity for which the Church and her faithful children can pray, is that which results from the conversion of those who are outside the One, True Fold of the Church. Thus, each of the days of the Chair of Unity Octave is dedicated to prayers for the conversion of some poor segment of mankind which is still "walking in darkness," imploring that they may open their hearts to God's grace, and return to the true Shepherd of their souls. This is the exercise of true charity. To imagine, as do the liberal ecumenists of our day, that we can achieve "unity" by pretending that those outside the Church do not stand in desperate need of conversion, is to deny the foundation of Christ's True Church, and to renounce the very reason for the heroic apostolic labors and martyrdom of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

OPENING PRAYERS:

• Come Holy Ghost
• The Rosary with meditation on each mystery
• Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
• Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Prayers to the Divine Infant Jesus
• Hymn: Adeste Fideles or other Christmas Hymn

MEDITATION: From the Imitation of Christ or True Devotion to Mary

STUDY & DISCUSS:

• Officer's reports
• Cell Memos
• Reading of the Salve Maria Regina (a portion should be read at each meeting with a brief discussion if appropriate)
• Topics for Study & Discussion as listed below.

1. THE LITURGICAL YEAR: (15 min. report;10 min. discussion) The Forty Days of Christmas - reflect on the sermons reminding us to continue this celebration daily; Feasts of the Infancy and Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Jan. 1st) - Discuss the significance of this first shedding of the Precious Blood of Jesus, and observe the complete obedience to the Will of His Heavenly Father of which He gives us the perfect example in this mystery. Discuss the beautiful significance of this Holy Name given by the Eternal Father to the Incarnate Word; consider the power and grace of which it is the source, and the reasons for which the Sacred Scriptures tell us that "every knee should bend" at the Holy Name of Jesus. Resolve to call more devoutly upon the Holy Name of Jesus and to consider the tremendous hope and love which it should inspire in our souls. Reference: The Incarnation, Birth, and Infancy of Jesus Christ by Liguori; The Wonders of the Holy Name by O’Sullivan; Christmas Sermons by Bishop Francis Konrad Maria. (The Cell member giving this report should listen to the sermon tapes and take reference notes as material for their report.)

2. STRIVING FOR SANCTITY: Begin the article "Causes and Cures of Sins of the Tongue." Discuss the Vice of Anger and the proper means of vanquishing this deadly passion. (15 min. report;10 min. discussion) Reference: Article abridged from The Sinner’s Guide by Ven. Louis of Granada.  See also the cover article to this month's Salve Maria Regina Fatima Crusader Bulletin.

3. MARY IN DOCTRINE & DEVOTION: Discuss the important Feast of the Solemnity of the Mother of God (also Jan. 1st), and observe how it is commemorated throughout the entire forty days of Christmas. Consider the awesome dignity to which She has been raised by giving Birth to the Incarnate Son of God. (10 min. report; 5 min. discussion) Reference: Selected Christmas-Epiphany Sermons; The Incarnation, Birth, and Infancy of Jesus Christ and The Glories of Mary by Liguori; Jesus Living in Mary, abridged from Father Faber.

SECOND MEETING

4. CATHOLIC LITURGY& TRADITION: (15 min. report;10 min. discussion) The Epiphany: Discuss this important Feast, its meaning, and the significance of the gifts of the Three Holy Kings. Review also the three-fold manifestation of Christ which is commemorated during this Season: to the Gentile world in the persons of the Three Holy Kings, at His Baptism in the Jordan, and at the miracle of Cana. Reference: Sermons "The Gifts of the Three Holy Kings" and "The Faith, Hope, and Charity of the Three Holy Kings". See cover story in Salve Maria Regina, January 2003 issue.

5. THE HOLY FAMILY: (15 min. report;10 min. discussion)"MANY MARRIAGES ARE NOT PLEASING TO GOD." Discuss these words of Our Lady of Fatima as they apply to modern family and married life; the degeneration of sanctity in the home and family -- sins against the sacrament of marriage, e.g., abortion, birth prevention, lust, neglect of children's spiritual and corporal welfare, lack of spiritual concern for one's wife or husband, daily duty. Married and family life will either be sanctified by being centered in Christ or it may lead to spiritual ruination by too much parental influence on materialism, secular education, social status, or worldly pleasure. The absolute necessity of daily family prayer and spiritual reading. The absolute need of parental discipline of the children; the ruination of the children and the family by permissiveness and liberalism; the Holy Family -- model of every truly Christian Family. Importance of Fatima "family cells." Discuss the Feast of the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph; review what Our Holy Father, Pope Pius XII has written concerning the Holy Family, and discuss a practical application of these principles in our daily lives, especially in light of the words of Our Lady at Fatima. Reference: See this month’s secondary theme. Pastoral Letter by Bishop Francis Konrad Maria on the Holy Family; article "Pope Pius XII and the Holy Family." (The Cell member giving this report should listen to, and take reference notes for this report, from tapes on this topic by the Most Reverend Bishop.)

6. STRIVING FOR SANCTITY: Continue the article "Causes and Cures of Sins of the Tongue." Discuss the Vices of Detraction, Calumny, and Rash Judgment, and review the proper means for the government of the tongue.(15 min. report;10 min. discussion) Reference: Article abridged from The Sinner’s Guide by Ven. Louis of Granada. See also the cover article to this month's Salve Maria Regina Fatima Crusader Bulletin.

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THIRD MEETING

7. FORCES OF ERROR: Discuss part three of the article on Islam, "Facing the New World Peril: The Jihad Begins." (10 min. report; 15 min. discussion) Reference: "Facing the World New Peril."

8. THE FATHER OF CHRISTENDOM: (15 min. report;10 min. discussion)Discuss the life of the Glorious Father of Christendom, St. Karl the Great, Emperor, rebutting the vicious anti-Catholic attacks upon this chosen protector of God's Kingdom upon earth. Review the temporal and spiritual benefits which resulted from his faithful application of the Christian Gospel and his defense of the One, True Church of Christ. Reference: booklet St. Karl the Great, Emperor; Sermon "Our Glorious Catholic Heritage".

9. COURT OF THE 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. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers; St. Anthony the Abbot; Ss. Fabian & Sebastian; St. Agnes; St. Timothy; St. Peter’s Chair at Rome; the Conversion of St. Paul. (Choose two or three of the Saints listed for a 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.

CLOSING PRAYERS:

• Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus and Hymn
• St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s Prayer to JesusFatima Prayers

LEAFLETS OF THE MONTH:

• "Peace be to You" (.15; 30 for 4.00)
• And His Own Received Him Not" (.20; 30 for 5.00)

• New Year's Eve Vigil of Prayer—in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary—imploring God's blessing during the coming year.
• Eucharistic all-night vigil on First Friday/Saturday of the month; as well as on January 23rd (The Espousals of Our Lady)—for the strengthening of Catholic family life.
• Personal resolve to honor Our Lady in a special way on Saturdays.
• Family Practice: Pattern your family after the Holy Family; discuss the Holy Family as your model. Offer daily devotions as a family before the Nativity Scene in order to observe the ongoing Christmas-Epiphany Season, and to grow in your peace, love, and joy.
• Put up a literature rack (or use existing ones) in airports, hospitals, etc. (Keep them stocked!)
• Make visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly. Brighten their day with spiritual encouragement and distribute Fatima pledges, brown scapulars, Miraculous Medals, and leaflets to those open to receiving these spiritual aids. Explain to them the great value of offering their sufferings for the missions of the Religious and the work of the Fatima Crusade, for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls.
• Form a Rosary group in retirement homes, convalescent homes, etc. As an act of true love of neighbor, visit some shut-in or lonely, elderly person every week and pray the Rosary with them.
• Special observance of the Feasts of the Holy Name of Jesus, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, Feast of the Holy Family, the Baptism of Our Lord, Our Lady of Banneux, St. Peter's Chair, the Conversion of St. Paul, and St. Karl the Great.

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