Totus Tuus: the Legion in NUS: The Magnificat

Monday, June 2, 2008

The Magnificat

Well, my first post :), and I just want to open it with this beautiful prayer by our Lady, the Magnificat. I love this prayer :)

If you read the Catena Legionis in the right side of this blog, below the Legionary Promise, it basically is the Magnificat. "Magnificat anima mea Dominum.., My soul glorifies the Lord.. "
It is a song, a canticle, which our Mother sung upon the occasion of her visitation to her cousin, Elizabeth, after She got the news that She will be the Mother of God.

Can you imagine when an Angel comes to you and telling you that you would be the Mother of God? (well, personally I also dont know what would I do.. :P).. Let's take a detour imagining for a while... One may be hyperhappy...the other may be very afraid, doubtful, speechless..... another may be trying to escape, don't want to take the trouble..., feeling confused... one may be proud of that privilege... one may....

And our Lady responsed, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto Me according to Thy word.."

She went to visit her cousin who were also pregnant during that time,
and she expressed everything that has happened, that She pondered in Her heart, singing the Maginificat - My soul glorifies the Lord - , a song of trust, full of gratefulness and love to God, and also a song of humility..

Here is a summary of Pope Benedict XVI's comentary on the Magnificat which he delivered on an audience at 16/2/06

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today we bring to a conclusion the cycle of reflections, begun by my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II, on the Psalms and canticles found in the Liturgy of the Hours. We do so with a meditation on the Magnificat, which extols the biblical poor, the "anawim," who live in deep humility of heart and openness to God's saving grace. They are free from pride and detached from aspirations to human greatness.

The first part of the canticle portrays Mary rejoicing in the grace which has come into her heart and her life. She does this in a personal way, but is aware also of her mission to all humanity. The second part places Mary's words of praise in harmony with the whole history of the faithful. They celebrate the surprising choices of God who "scatters the proud-hearted" … "casts the mighty from their thrones" … "fills the starving with good things." Let us conclude by associating ourselves with the invitation of the great St. Ambrose: "May each one of us glorify the Lord with the soul of Mary and rejoice in God with the spirit of Mary."

[The Pope then greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]

I am happy to offer a warm welcome to all the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims present at today's audience. I extend particular greetings to the groups from England, Ireland, Denmark, Norway and the United States of America. May your time in Rome strengthen your faith and renew you love for the Lord and his Blessed Mother. May God bless you all!

Here is the full version.
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=3006&page=1

In any occasion, in our daily struggle, in all circumstances, let's remember that God is our Father and because of that, together with our Lady, our heart will go on singing... "My soul glorifies the Lord.. "

God bless!

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The Legion Promise

Most Holy Spirit, I, Desiring to be enrolled this day as a legionary of Mary, Yet knowing that of myself I cannot render worthy service, Do ask of you to come upon me and fill me with yourself, So that my poor acts may be sustained by your power, and become an instrument of your mighty purposes.

But I know that you, who has come to regenerate the world in Jesus Christ, Has not willed to do so except through Mary; That without her we cannot know or love you; That it is by her, and to whom she pleases, when she pleases, and in the quantity and manner she pleases, That all your gifts and virtues and graces are administered; And I realise that the secret of a perfect legionary service Consists in a complete union with her who is so completely united to you.

So, taking in my hand the legionary Standard which seeks to set before our eyes these things, I stand before you as her soldier and her child, And I so declare my entire dependence on her. She is the mother of my soul. Her heart and mine are one, And from that single heart she speaks again those words of old: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord"; And once again you come by her to do great things.

Let your power overshadow me, and come into my soul with fire and love, And make it one with Mary's love and Mary's will to save the world; So that I may be pure in her who was made Immaculate by you; So that Christ my Lord may likewise grow in me through you; So that I with her, his Mother, may bring him to the world and to the souls who need him; So that they and I, the battle won, may reign with her for ever in the glory of the Blessed Trinity. Confident that you will so receive me - and use me - and turn my weakness into strength this day,
I take my place in the ranks of the Legion, and I venture to promise a faithful service. I will submit fully to its discipline,
Which binds me to my comrades, And shapes us to an army,
And keeps our line as on we march with Mary, To work your will, to operate your miracles of grace, Which will renew the face of the earth, And establish your reign, Most Holy Spirit, over all.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

The Catena Legionis

Every Legionary, Active and Auxiliary, is required to recite the Catena Legionis every day. The recitation of the Catena may very well be regarded as the battle cry of the Legion of Mary in its warfare against the Evil One.(Rev. Francis Lendacky)

The Latin word "catena" means "chain" and it is this prayer (the only one every Legionary is obliged to recite daily) which binds together the Legionaries, who, though part of one army, are scattered all over the world labouring in a multitude of vineyards.

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

My soul glorifies the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;*
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me.*
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,*
on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength*
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones*
and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things,*
sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant,*
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,*
to Abraham and his sons for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array ?

V/. O Mary, conceived without sin.
R/. Pray for us who have recourse to you.

Let us pray

O Lord Jesus Christ, our mediator with the Father, who has been pleased to appoint the most Blessed Virgin, your Mother, to be our mother also, and our mediatrix with you, mercifully grant that whoever comes to you seeking your favours may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.

Totus Tuus: the Legion in NUS

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Monday, June 2, 2008

The Magnificat

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