Legionary Service: Allocutio by Sister Therese - 3 July 2008

When the great persecutor of Christians was thrown to the ground, he heard those words: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” These are the words which utter the doctrine of the ‘Mystical Body of Christ’ and it is on this doctrine that the legionary service is based upon.

The fruit of His Passion which brings about the Redemption is only made possible because the Head together with the Church form a single mystical person, such that the crowning of the Head which teaches forgiveness results in the redeeming act showered on all the faithful. He who teaches forgiveness suffered injustice. Yet the injustifiable death reconciled mankind to the Father and transcended life to us. Thence, if justice is to be upheld, is it then an absolute necessity to resort to the punishment that negates a transcended life and a transcendent dignity?

In the Handbook, it is mentioned that the special function of legionaries in the Mystical Body is to guide, console and enlighten others. It is further stated that this function can only be discharged adequately with the understanding of the ‘Mystical Body of Christ’.

The late Pope John Paul II in his encyclical ‘The Gospel of Life’ emphasized: “The life which God bestows upon man is much more than mere existence in time. It is a drive towards fullness of life; it is the seed of an existence which transcends the very limits of time: "For God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity" (Wis 2:23).”

Frank Duff described our Mother performing the role of the heart in the Mystical Body. She sends the blood of Christ coursing through the veins and arteries of the Mystical Body, bringing life and growth with it. The sacred heart of Christ leads this Body, a body less than perfect but through His grace is being mediated by her Immaculate Heart. A legionary service which mirrors this doctrine calls us to forgive the imperfections of the body and commands us to love every part of Her regardless of its significance.

In Evangelium Vitae, “the deepest element of God's commandment to protect human life is the requirement to show reverence and love for every person and the life of every person. This is the teaching which the Apostle Paul, echoing the words of Jesus, addresses to the Christians in Rome: "The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet', and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:9-10).”

The transformation of Saul to Paul is an epitome of God’s magnanimity and His willingness to forgive. St John Eudes imagined us to be like the Christs upon earth to continue his life and actions. Thus, let us guide the precious souls we encounter to the Light, comfort those who are afflicted and preach Evangelium Vitae to enlighten those who are dead in sin.