General Introduction to all Grades of Cell Hour of Holiness

In Chapter Two from the National Manuel, insight was given into the meaning of the “cell hour of holiness”. It can also be said to be a prayer study group because in contrast to the general meeting, it is totally concerned with prayer and spiritual reading/study; in fact it is entirely a spiritual encounter. Its aim is to help live the pledge in depth. Even though circumstances might not permit the general meeting to hold weekly the cell hour of holiness prayer study is under all circumstances supposed to be a weekly encounter.

Though in some places, members in a group for the cell hour of holiness range from 2 to 10, it is however recommended, that it should range between 2 and 4 to ensure adequate participation and sharing by all the members. Ideally it is only when a group of 2 to 4 cannot meet that is, when the members of that cell or sub-cell performing the cell hour of holiness are unable to meet - that they are advised to do it individually (for that week in which they could not meet, until when conditions become favourable, maybe the following week). Though the range of 2 to 4 was suggested, it will not be bad if cells should be made up of three members at the beginning like the Fatima children (though not necessarily in the ratio of two girls to a boy). Being that the cell is made up of 3 persons, it will facilitate better relationship and easy communication during the cell hour of holiness.

Preferably members of a cell or sub-cell should be those that reside in the same area to make convening of their meeting easier. They should also be those of the same age bracket. For example, Cell A, a Cadet Cell, should be made up of 3 persons that are between the ages of 16 and 18; then Cell B, an Adult Cell, can be made of those between the ages of 20 and 25; Cell C, another Cadet Cell or a Cell for Children, can be made up of children between the ages of 8 and 10; while Cell D, an Adult Cell, can be those between the age bracket of 40 to 50. This will ensure that those within the same stage of spiritual maturity and understanding meet together and take spiritual readings relevant to their stage of development. The Cadet Cells are however to be headed by an adult or a well informed and articulate teenager. These groups can meet in each other’s houses, another specified place or in a church. It is preferable they meet inside a church or an area close to the Blessed Sacrament.

If this is not possible, they should turn their mind to the nearest Tabernacle (Blessed Sacrament) or assume spiritually that they are in church where the Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle. The members can fix whatever time they feel is suitable for them; it can be in the morning or in the night. They are also free to choose any day in the week (though it should not be on the same day when the general house convenes for the general meeting).

Our Lady is said to have given us a “Formula for Holiness” at Fatima. The visit of the Angel and the Blessed Mother, formed in the children a certain type of spirituality better described as the “Fatima Spirituality”. Let us hear what Fr. Fox has to say (in 1989): “Having served for years as Spiritual Director of the Youth for Fatima Apostolate, I’ve been able to see what this Spirituality (the Fatima Spirituality) can do in the lives of young Catholics forming them into mature spiritual adults. Many vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as countless holy marriages have resulted from this Apostolate”. The Cell Hour of Holiness as well as the 10-Point Daily Spiritual Programme helps build this spirituality in youths and adults. He went on to say that, “Formation of prayer-study groups (Cell Holy Hour) especially among youths is highly encouraged. Sister Lucia, one of the three children to whom Our Lady appeared lived to see the 70th anniversary of the apparitions in the Cova da Iria in the Parish of Fatima, Portugal. In her memoirs written in obedience to her Bishop, Sister Lucia writes that the three children Jacinta, Francisco and herself as a 10-year old child, formed a prayer group at the well on her parents’ property. There they would pray as heaven instructed them”.

“They would discuss the message from heaven as it applied to their lives and things of the world. They had God’s own Mother Mary; Our Mother in order of grace, Our Lady of light, as their adult leader. So much education and formation has taken place over the years since the Youth for Fatima Apostolate was founded and its prayer study groups (cell hour of holiness for children and cadets) were first formed. You are encouraged to take the initiative in forming such groups among young married and older Catholics”.

The programme is not aimed at too much talk but is aimed at practicalising the message Our Lady gave at Fatima. All sub-cells that combine to form the house at the general meeting of a cell/centre for example, what was called Cell A, B, C, D, above are supposed to have their individual names. Suggested names are Jacinta’s Cell, Francisco’s Cell, Padre Pio’s Cell, St. Anthony Mary Claret’s Cell, St. Therese’s Cell, St. Maximillian Kolbe’s Cell, St. Dominic’s Cell, St. Simon’s Cell, St. Joseph’s Cell, St. Peter’s Cell, Holy Family Cell, St. Dominic Savio’s Cell, St. Maria Goretti’s Cell etc. Other possible names for a cell include St. Alphonsus De Liguori’s Cell, St. Louis Marie De Montfort’s Cell and St. Michael’s Cell. After all these names have been exhausted and there are still sub-cells left without names, other names of saints chosen by the general body can be given to them. It should be ensured that the “Holy Hour” does not exceed “one hour”. Time should not be wasted on a particular item.


Note: (1) A cell is supposed to grow and divide. Members should endeavour to talk to one or two persons (their friends), to join them for the Holy Hour, and if such friends show deep interest, they should be talked to, to join the society, after which they are introduced to the general house at the general meeting. Such persons are to remain in the cells that brought them into the society; and when membership of a cell gets to six or more, they should then split into two separate groups.

(1) In centres where division into small groups does not work out, they can divide themselves into 2 groups only, to do the Cell Hour of Holiness. In extreme cases of difficulty, there can be a General Cell Hour of Holiness, where everyone convenes weekly to do it in common.