J.M.J.

V

For a Printable Version of the Full Formation Program Click Here

For a Printable Version of this Introduction Click Here

 

The PRAYER CELL FORMATION PROGRAM consists of Four Levels:

                1)  Lucia Speaks with its accompanying commentary, REFLECTION & RESOLUTION

                2)  The Ten Commandments taken from The Catechism of the Catholic Church

                3)  “CALLS” FROM THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA by Sr. Lucia

                4)  Any Approved Fatima Materials

                1)  Lucia Speaks with its accompanying commentary - Lucia Speaks  is an account of the apparitions in Sr. Lucia’s own words.  The purpose of the commentary is to share one facet of the depth of its message. One apparition per month is to be addressed whether you are meeting for a weekly or monthly gathering.  It will not be difficult for weekly gatherings to devote the entire month to the same apparition due to the concentrated topics which can be drawn from a single lesson.  Members who attend monthly meetings may wish to repeat this program one or two more years before moving on to the Ten Commandments.  REFLECTION & RESOLUTION - The Reflection and Resolution suggests a way to begin as a family to live the message of Fatima; a simple beginning with suggestions to help bring peace.  The Resolution in brief is repeated at the end of the meeting to form the intention for the coming week (or month), and then reveiwed at the examination at the next meeting.  An aposotlic resolution should also be suggested by the leader.

                2)  The Ten Commandments - The purpose of reviewing the Ten Commandments is to assist us in a return to morality by reviewing the kinds of sins that may have unknowingly crept into our lifestyle.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church helps us to recall those areas of sin that may have been forgotten since our youth due to the permissive culture in which we live in.  It will also broaden our understanding of those related areas which will help us in our desire to live a life of holiness. Weekly prayer cells study one Commandment per month, covering as little or as much as the leader or group determines over the 4-5 week period.  Monthly cells may take 2-3 years to cover the Commandments.  Read and discuss at your own pace.

3)  “CALLS” FROM THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA – Sr. Lucia wrote this last book on the practical application of the Message of Fatima to answer the many questions directed to her.  Like the Ten Commandments, weekly prayer cells cover one chapter, or “Call”, per month, dividing other parts of the book according to whatever form will assist the group to make steady progress.  Monthly prayer cells will need to take considerable amount of time to study the entire book.  The leader should determine a comfortable pace and set forth the amount of pages to be covered accordingly.

4)  Any Approved Fatima Material – Once these first three prayer/study cells have been formed on an on-going basis, a fourth type of prayer/study cell is begun.  The leader or group is free to choose from a variety of materials and books that are available from the World Apostolate of Fatima U.S.A., or approved Church sources.  These formation sources should be in keeping with the “Theological Principles of the World Apostolate of Fatima” as found in Part 5 of the World Apostolate of Fatima USA Manual, especially those recommended in # 6-8.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

• Begin with the Fatima Prayer Cell Program.  Proceed to the study section using this PRAYER CELL FORMATION PROGRAM.
• A designated leader reads one apparition in Lucia Speaks in its entirety. 
• Using this Formation Program, the leader reads the first quote from the same apparition in the left hand column, followed by another person who reads the accompanying commentary after that quote. Continue to read from left to right in this manner. Read slowly and pause a moment after each commentary to allow for brief reflection before proceeding to the next one.  Do not discuss it so as to allow for continuity of thought.
• Read the Reflection & Resolution with a period of silence to formulate a purpose of intent for putting the lesson into practice. 
• Discussion now follows.  Stick to the topics suggested by the apparitions and touched on in the commentary. Examination of personal and apostolic resolutions from last month then takes place. Review the new resolution (in brief) for this month and add another apostolic resolution.  Conclude with the prayer of Consecration.  (The prayer cell may include social time and simple refreshments, but it is best if these gatherings are kept to a limit of 1˝ - 2  hours, being careful not to go beyond 2 hours, lest it become too lengthy and members drop out.)

After Level 1 of the Formation Program is completed with Lucia Speaks, this cell should begin again in an on-going manner for all new members, for those who joined late, and for those who missed more than one program lesson. Older members who wish to proceed to Level 2, begin a new prayer cell to study THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.  Proceed as directed above, under that title heading.  Once members have completed this area of study, a new cell then begins Level 3, taking up the study of Sr. Lucia’s book on “CALLS” FROM THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA. Prayer cell # 2 will repeat for members who are ready to advance past Level 1. In this way, new prayer cells will begin, and continue to study the same material, as new members advance in stages. Finally, as these three areas of study are completed, members advance to Level 4. There they will continue their prayer and study program with other approved Fatima materials, as directed above, which is ever-changing in its content.