Heroism in Obedience

Chapter 29

The fruit of loyalty is obedience, and the test of the latter is the readiness to accept situations and decisions which are unpalatable and let it be remarked-to accept them cheerfully. This prompt and cordial obedience is always difficult. Sometimes, to give it violates one's natural inclinations to such an extent as to amount to heroism, to be in fact a sort of martyrdom. And in such terms does St. Ignatius of Loyola speak of it. "Those," he says, "who by a generous effort resolve to obey, acquire great merits; obedience in its sacrifice resembles martyrdom." The Legion expects from its children everywhere that spirit of heroic and sweet docility to proper authority of every sort.

The Legion is an army - the army of the Virgin Most Humble. It must exhibit in its everyday working what is forthcoming in profusion from any earthly army - heroism and sacrifice, even supreme sacrifice. Demands of a supremely exacting character are all the time being made on legionaries, too. Not so often are they called on to offer their bodies to laceration and death, like the soldiers of the world. But let them rise gloriously higher in the things of the spirit. Let them be ready to offer their feelings, their judgment, their independence, their pride, their will, to the wounds of contradiction and the death of a wholehearted submission, when authority requires.

"Deep harm to disobey, seeing obedience is the bond of rule," says Tennyson, but the Legion's life-line can be sundered by more than wilful disobedience. The same result is achieved by the officers whose neglect of the duties of attendance or correspondence cuts off their praesidia or councils from the main tide of legionary life. The same deep harm is done by those, whether officers or members, who attend their meetings, but whose attitude there - from whatever cause-is calculated to promote disunion.

Obedience is one the the characteristics I simply love in the Legion - it makes it so intensely Catholic. Obedience has been a hallmark of the true Catholic right from the earliest martyrs, to the saints through the ages (think of St Teresa of Avilla's obedience to her spiritual director, even when she knew he was wrong, St Pio's obedience to the Church's order to cease his public celebration of Holy Mass), right down to the spirit that today urges us to honour and obey the Pope, and that compels priests, missionaries, religious brothers and sisters to obey their superiors.

I'm also proud to say that I see obedience in action among my Legionary brothers and sisters: when they put aside their conveniences and wishes for the sake of the Legion meeting and Legion work; in those who, despite the need to travel long distances, and in spite of heavy workloads, faithfully attend meetings on campus, volunteer for Legion work and always put the shoulder to the wheel when needed.

This is why I mentioned at the retreat that I feel what separates us from most groups is our Legionary heroism: what is more heroic that "the death of a wholehearted submission"?

I can do all things in Him who strengthen me

For us Legionaries in NUS, many times we encountered problems with our time management. We must struggled with many many things at the same times. Test, projects, assignments, CCAs, contact work, etc. It's true that things sometimes can be very tiring, very demanding.. And at that point of time, sometimes we are thinking to run away from some of our responsibilities because we feel that we cannot cope with it anymore.

And then, at times, we feel disappointed with ourselves. I failed to do this, and I failed to do that. Specific example for legionaries.. I failed to invite my friend for Mass, for a talk, or for Legion meeting.

In fact, a few days/weeks ago, I did experience that. However, that time, when I was praying using St Josemaria’s book, The Way, I bump into these 2 quotes and they strike me a lot,

When you want to do things well, really well, it's then you do them worse. Humble yourself before Jesus, saying to him: Don't you see how I do everything wrong? Well, if you don't help me very much, I'll do it all even worse! Take pity on your child: You see, I want to write a big page each day in the book of my life. But I'm so clumsy, that if the Master doesn't guide my hand, instead of graceful strokes my pen leaves behind blots and scratches, that can't be shown to anyone. From now on, Jesus, the writing will always be done by both of us together.

You are full of weaknesses. Every day you see them more clearly. But don't let them frighten you. He well knows you can't yield more fruit. Your involuntary falls-those of a child-show your Father God that he must take more care, and your Mother Mary that she must never let you go from her loving hand. Each day, as our Lord picks you up from the ground, take advantage of it, embrace him with all your strength and lay your wearied head on his open breast so that you'll be carried away by the beating of his most loving heart.

Now that I think about it again, these two quotes are quite related to basic duties of legionaries which is listed in chapter 33 of our handbook. To tell you the truth, I’m quite surprised to see the basic duties listed there when I was preparing this allo since I never opened that chapter before. But anyway, there are two things that are listed there that I think quite important for us legionaries to fulfilled, “The Legionary must pray as well as work”, and “The interior life of Legionaries”, which consist of prayer, mortification and sacraments.

From these duties, I can see that our founder has realized how important it is for us to really abandon ourselves to our Father God and to Our Mother Mary; that we, in doing apostolate, must really depend on the divine power, not just on mere human power. This apostolic work, this contact work, is not our work. Through our prayer and interior life, through constant discernment, we should keep asking again and again, what is the Lord’s will in my life? Day by day asking our Lord, “What apostolic work do You want me to do today Lord?” So that we can always be very much united with His Holy will. And then, of course we can always turn to Our Lady, to ask for her intercession for our work.

However, even though we might have practiced that prayer, mortification and sacraments, we might still encountered failings in our apostolate. It’s very normal for us to encountered failings; when we encountered that, keep in mind again, that this work we did, is not our work, it’s God’s work. None of us can change our contact’s hearts. It is only God who can change the heart of a person. Don’t worry and don’t get discouraged when we encounter failings. Like what St Josemaria said, if we really humble ourselves and admit our failings as a child.. And just humbly ask for His help to begin again, again and again. Because He never asked us to success; He just wants us to be faithful and to persevere.

The Legion's attitudes towards others

41
"THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE"
(1 Cor 13:13)

Mary was so utterly full of charity that she was found worthy to conceive and bring into the world him who is Charity itself. The Legion of Mary, depending for its very life on devotedness to her and imitation of her, must necessarily be distinguished by this selfsame quality of intense charity. It must be full of charity: then only will it bring charity into the world. It is important, therefore, that the following directives be carefully observed.

1. For entry to the ranks of the Legion, there shall be no social, racial, national or colour discrimination. Fitness for membership is to be the only test. The legionary apostolate will accomplish even more by indirect action, that is, as the leaven in the community, than directly by the works in hand. If the entire community is to be brought fully under the influence of legionary action, it follows that the Legion's ranks must contain representatives of every section of the community.

2. Within its own ranks there should be an unaffected simplicity and sincere mutual charity among the members, all distinctions being non-existent. If love is due to those whom the legionary serves, it is no less due to one's fellow-members. The spirit of distinction is evidence of the absence of the first qualification for membership, which is the spirit of love. The whole idea and spirit of the Legion is one of intense charity and sympathy, which before radiating its warmth outside must first of all burn brightly and strongly on the domestic hearth of the Legion itself. "By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (Jn 13:35)
Charity practised in its ranks will soon be practised at large. Divisions removed by membership are on the way to being removed from people outside.

3. Towards other organisations, whose aims are compatible with the Church's mission, there should be a spirit of readiness to give cooperation and assistance whenever possible. Not all Catholics can be brought into the Legion's own ranks for its requirements are far from easy, however, all should be encouraged to participate in some way in the work of the Church. Legionaries can further this through their apostolate and personal contacts. It should be noted, however, that whatever cooperation is given should not place additional burdens on legionaries to the detriment of their own apostolate. It is important, also, that there be discernment in regard to the degree and type of assistance which is given and to whom it is given. In this connection, reference should also be made to the sections 'Control of the work by the Praesidium' (ch 39, no. 6) and 'The intimate nature of the legionary work must be safeguarded' (ch. 39, no. 8).

4. Towards the Pastors of the Church there should be shown the filial love due to them as spiritual fathers and shepherds. Legionaries should share their anxieties and help them by prayer and, as far as possible, by active work so that they may be better able to overcome difficulties and carry out their duties with greater success.
Since pastors of the Church have the God-given role of communicating divine truth and graces of the sacraments, it should be the legionaries' concern to keep people in
touch with these bearers of divine gifts and to repair the link where it has been broken.
This is especially necessary in the case of those who are in anyway alienated from the clergy for reasons, justified or unjustified.
People who are seriously ill can be very reluctant to consult a doctor. Often it takes one's marriage partner, family or friend to supply the necessary encouragement.
When spiritual health is at stake, much depends on the quality of charity in those who are close to the one needing help.
The formation of legionaries helps them to take the initiative in mediating between priests and souls, and to do so with gentle refinement. This is an exquisite form of charity. They act as agents of the Good Shepherd who calls them, through their baptism to enter into his work.

"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end." (1 Cor 13:1-8)

Duty and devotion

Paul once reminded some of us about the concept of 'duty before devotion' that the Legion espouses. This might seem confusing to some if we take it to mean that our work comes before our prayer-life. This obviously can't be true since we are always called to place God first in our lives.

I would suppose that the phrase critizes excessive devotion to the detriment of our duties. For example spending our entire day in prayer and spiritual pursuits while neglecting our studies (which is our duty as students) and our obligations to our brothers and sisters is wrong.
This tallies well with something St James tells us: "Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions." (Jas 2:18)

But the point I'm trying to draw is based on Chapter 11, Point 1 of the Handbook.
This tells us that personal holiness is both the object and the means of our Legionary lives.

Personal holiness could be taken to mean abiding in Christ: being in union with God.

The Handbook tells us that this holiness is our object: our duty as Legionaries is to promote holiness in our own members and in those whom we meet.

Holiness is also the means with which we are able to carry out our service fruitfully because Christ said "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5). Without him our works will bear no fruits.

Thus, while it is true that duty comes before devotion, we cannot carry out our duties well without piety and holiness - giving God what is His due.

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.

Mary's sacrifice

Man for man: Maid for maid: Tree for tree
Chapter 39: Cardinal Points of the Legion Apostolate

Whenever we think of Our Lady as the Co-Redemptress in Salvation, our minds usually wander back to the moment of the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel delivered God’s message to a young woman. God’s plan of salvation was put into action when she said yes. Be it done to me according to Thy Word.

But beyond the conception and birth of Christ, Our Mother also served as Co-Redemptress at the foot of the cross. I can only imagine the grief that Our Lady suffered. To live your whole life taking care of your only son, devoting all your waking moments to that one child, only to have him wrenched away from you.

Yet in the end, she denied nothing from God. She gave Him all she had. Her Son. And just like in the Annunciation, Mary replied with a “Yes” in Calvary, and the whole world was redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood.

"For as truly as she suffered and almost died with her suffering Son"-these are the words of Pope Benedict XV -"so truly did she renounce her maternal rights over that Son for the sake of our salvation, and immolate him, as far as with her lay, to placate God's justice. Hence it may justly be said that with Christ she redeemed the human race."

-Legion handbook

If you love someone, you love him, and when you have nothing else to give, you still gave him love. - Nineteen Eighty-Four

The Mystical Home of Nazareth

Reading the word 'home', the next word comes to my mind is 'family'.

As some of us have said in the previous blogs, I do think that the Legion has been more like a family than just a society. I think the word ‘family’ is very unique. It always refers to plural meaning, to the communion of people, yet it also reflects unity, its oneness in something that makes them can be called as family.

So are we, the Praesidium doesn’t refer to a single person (even our God is Trinitarian God), but we that form the Praesidium. Thus we have a different ability, strength, and weakness that have to complement each other. And what else can be more beautiful to unity us than to be united in Christ through Mary? Here is one image from the Handbook that I particularly like:

“A coloured glass will transmit only its own shade of light, obstructing all the other shades. But when glasses of all the different colours jointly project their shades, these unite to make the fullness of light. Similarly, when Christians in some number combine for the purposes of the Lord, their qualities supplementing each other, he is enabled through them to manifest his perfection and his power more fully.
So, when legionaries gather together in the praesidium in his name and for his work, he is present in that potent way; it has been made evident that power goes out from him there. (Mk 5:30)”

Just as a family will always have home, so are we as legionaries. Our home is to be the projection of the mystical home of Nazareth.

What make a place can be called as home? Sometimes it is not necessarily to be the place where we were born, or the place where we stay longest, sometimes there are some places that we can feel at home, comfortable to stay and live…Maybe because we are just familiar with it, or since we feel the family relationship so strong there, the atmosphere, or the love,… No other best way than learning from the Holy Family how they take care of their Holy Home…

“Also with Jesus in that little Legion family are his Mother and St. Joseph, who have towards the praesidium the same relation that they had to him; which permits us to look on the praesidium as a projection of the Home of Nazareth, and this not as a mere devotional exercise but as something based on reality. "We are obliged," says Bérulle, "to treat the things and mysteries of Jesus not as things past and dead, but as things living and present and even eternal." Likewise we may piously identify the premises and equipment of the praesidium with the fabric and the furniture of the Holy House, and we may regard the behaviour of the legionaries towards those adjuncts of the praesidium as a test of their appreciation of the truth that Christ lives in us and works through us, necessarily availing of the things that we are utilising.
This thought provides a sweet and compelling motive for a bestowing of a careful attention upon the things that surround the praesidium and form its home.”

Let’s imagine how our Lady takes care of the Home. It may be far from elaborate, but full of refinement and is the most beautiful home ever. She – with St. Joseph also of course- must have take care each little thing so to allow her Son to begin the work of redemption. So are we, imitating our Lady, as to prepare a good home for our Lord to co-operate with His works of redemption. Maintaining a good home also reflects the love within the family. From the little thing, the Handbook starts by mentioning to take care the accessories we use in the meetings, the cheerfulness, the spirit (to work as a family rather than individuals – imagine parents who do not know what are their children pursuing now… - ), the love, so as to make those staying in that home (the members) and thus visiting the home (our contacts, visitors), may feel at home, just as our Father always draw His children back to be united with Him here on earth, and later in our Home - Heaven.

Candles offered up in devotion

It's been a long time since I blogged, but while thinking of how exactly I was to share what I wanted to share, I was stunned for awhile, not quite knowing how to start...being in the legion demands a strong devotion to Mother Mary, but to me devotion to our Lord and to our Lady has always been an extremely personal thing...something that I don't quite feel comfortable talking about to friends unless the subject comes up, spreading the gospel message and all is also part of the work of the legion, and yet sometimes I am tongue-tied...but deep down inside I know how essential it is for the legionary to never "give up" and continue trying anyway, and how better than to begin first through developing a love for our Lady. I guess when one is in love, then one cannot help but talk about all things good about one's lover, and I guess to me it is only when one is truly deeply in love with Christ and our Mother Mary that then the spirit can work within us and inspire our work as legionaries as well.

According to Chapter 5 of the legionary handbook, it encourages legionaries to have a "Devotional Outlook" - I always thought that it was important during cellgroup sessions in CSS to start and end with a prayer, and in the Legion the beginning and ending of the meetings with prayer that reminds us that Mary is mediatrix of all graces, and with the rosary, the catena etc. is something that I think slowly develops a stronger sense of devotion in each and every legionary...and also one of the reasons why I was drawn to get to know more about the Legion of Mary at first, being known as the "Rosary group" might be a misconception, but it's not necessarily a bad thing! I also thought that it was sweet to acknowledge the presence of Mother Mary in the room during the meetings, always starting the reports of the week with "Good evening Mother Mary," then "and brothers and sisters", and how important it is to remember that she is always there watching over us as we go about our daily work. Alone, I don't think I could manage anything at all! But the thought of our Lady being there with us through everything gives the confidence, like how a child learning to take one's first steps is gently guided by the hand of a loving and gentle mother.

Being away in France and visiting so many churches that are named after Our Lady, every other church in France in every little countryside town is a "Notre-Dame", reminds one that devotion towards our Lady is still very much alive! But exactly how active anymore, I wasn't sure...throughout my journey in France I was constantly reminded by my other 3 Catholic companions that France is becoming an increasingly secular country that is PROUD to be secular...
but during the Sunday masses, the churches are still filled with people. I'd like to be optimistic and think that the need to know that Jesus is still our savior and to feel the love of Christ through the Eucharistic celebration is still what is pulling Catholics back to church. At every church, even the tiniest village ones, there are still many many blazing candles that are offered up to our Lord and to Mother Mary as well, prayers of many believers who are seeking miracles, or seeking to know God better, or praying for their loved ones...that is most inspiring, that devotion towards Christ and Mother Mary will never flicker out, candles are being continuously lit, especially in this present age of increasing secularism, of wars, of divorce and a milion and one other things that causes people to hurt, one NEEDS hope.

In the legion handbook, on page 23, point 6, is the subtitle "If Mary were but Known!", "The argument of Father Faber is that Mary is not half enough known or loved, with sad results for souls", followed by point 7, "If devotion to Mary will work such wonders, then the great purpose must be to bring that instrument to bear, to bring Mary to the world." Indeed, I think that through Mother Mary people get to grow closer to God, I think that the number of converts that first came to know more about the faith through attending Novena at Novena church is testament to that...there's also that strange syndrome that sometimes where inviting friends to attend a half hour Novena on Saturdays is less daunting that asking for a non/lapsed-Catholic to try participating in a full Sunday mass...
But anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I like how the handbook emphasises in point 7 that devotion to Mary will work such wonders, and that it is through a lay apostolic organisation, like the legion, that such is possible, because it is through loving Mary, that we get to know our Mother better, that we get to know how to love better, and also learn to "involve the hearts of all others in that love; utilising all its avenus of action to fulfil this purpose" - of learning how to love, with the heart of Mary.


Hundreds of people at the evening procession at Lourdes

It's fruits are intense idealism and action

I'm in the process of reading Chapter 10 of the Handbook. Here's what point six had to say:

Again, the Church by exhibiting only a cautious routine would place the Truth, of which it is the custodian, in a very disadvantageous setting. If the young once form the habit of looking to purely worldly or even irreligious systems for the active idealism for which generous natures crave, a terrible harm has been done, for which future generations will pay.

When I read this, my first thought was to examine the Church and think, yes the Church should be providing the youth with means to channel their idealism. Otherwise the situation will continue to be that young people who are brimming with idealism, who want to change the world will look for ways outside the Church and even consider the Church a barrier to their goals. They'll be drawn to men like Senator Barack Obama who, in addition to portraying himself as a messenger of change and idealism, also seems to believe that it is bitter people who cling to religion.

In short, I thought the Church could be doing more.

Here the Legion can aid by making its programme one of enterprise and effort and sacrifice, such as will help to capture for the Church those two words "idealism" and "action," making them handmaids of the Church's doctrine.

On reading these next few lines I realized: we are the Church! And more interestingly, the Legion of Mary is part of the Church that I was just thinking could be doing more. We are specifically to be the part of a Church that provides great avenues for expressing one's idealism.

It reminded me of the danger of looking to see what the Church can give me, when I should be part of the Church's effort to give to others.

It also brought home the fact that as a Legionary we are very much in the centre of the Church's work. We are cooperatores veritatis, "co-workers of the truth", along with the Holy Father (whose motto this is), bishops, priests, and active Catholics everywhere. We are part of the effort!

Finally, I do see a lot of idealism in the Legionaries at NUS: real yearning to change how things are done - in the world and even in the Legion (changes to make Legionaries live more in accordance with the Legion system).
I think this is a gift and something that should not be allowed to die off. Let's not, as time goes by, become cynical about the world. Let's believe we can make a difference wherever we are and that no problem, no injustice, no wrong, is too big that we give up trying to correct it.

"It is a moral force, not a material, which will vindicate your profession and secure your triumph. It is not giants who do most. How small was the Holy Land! Yet it subdued the world. How poor a spot was Attica! Yet it has formed the intellect. Moses was one, Elias was one, David was one, Paul was one, Athanasius was one, Leo was one. Grace ever works by few; it is the keen vision, the intense conviction, the indomitable resolve of the few, it is the blood of the martyr, it is the prayer of the saint, it is the heroic deed, it is the momentary crisis, it is the concentrated energy of a word, or a look, which is the instrument of heaven. Fear not, little flock, for he is mighty who is in the midst of you, and he will do for you great things." (Cardinal Newman: Present Position of Catholics)

Ad Jesum per Mariam

The name of this blog is Totus Tuus, which means ‘I’m all yours’ in latin. Every year around the 25th of March, we legionaries all around the world would gather together to renew our consecration to our Queen and Mother. This event is known to us legionaries as Acies which is another latin term, meaning ‘as it does an army ranged in battle array.’ (Functions, The Acies, Chapter 30, p.173)

‘The Acies is the great central annual function of the Legion, so that it is necessary to stress the importance of attendance on the part of every member. The essential idea of the Legion, upon which all else is built, is that of working in union with and in dependence on Mary, its Queen. The Acies is the solemn expression of that union and dependence, the renewal - individual and collective - of the legionaries declaration fealty.’ (Functions, The Acies, Chapter 30, p.173)

In the Acies, we line up singly (or in pairs when the numbers are great) and approached the Vexillium (a larger version). Upon placing our right hand on it, we recite our consecration: I’m all yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours. This act of consecration is greatly influenced by De Monfort’s spirituality – Ad Jesum per Mariam (To Jesus through Mary). This is also the motto of the Servant of God, Great Pope John Paul II. The handbook says that ‘working in union with and in dependence of Mary’ is what the legionary work is built upon. These may sound really scary to a number of the faithful, but St. Josemaria (founder of Opus Dei) had these to say:

‘Our relationship with our own mother may show us how to deal with Mary, the Lady of the Sweet Name. We have to love God with the same heart with which we love our parents, our brothers and sisters, the other members of our family, our friends. And we must love Mary with the same heart, too.’ (excerpt of a homily given 4 May 1957, and reprint in Christ is Passing By, nos. 142-145.)

He added further:

‘Those who think that devotions to our Lady are a thing of the past seem to have lost sight of the deep Christian meaning that they contain. They seem to have forgotten the source from which they spring: faith in God the Father’s saving will; love for God the son who really became man and was born of a woman; trust in God the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us with his grace. It is God who has give us Mary, and we have no right to reject her. We should go to her with a son’s love and joy.’ (excerpt of a homily given 4 May 1957, and reprint in Christ is Passing By, nos. 142-145.)

Therefore we legionaries and other faithful should go confidently, with best of our effort, to unite ourselves to her. Remembering our Legion Promise:

‘So that I with her, his Mother, may bring him to the world and to the souls that need him. So that they and I, the battle won, may reign with her for ever in the glory of the Blessed Trinity.”

‘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 established your reign, Most Holy Spirit over all. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ (The Legionary Promise, Chapter 15, p. 90-92.)

In Union With Mary

This is the phrase that attracts me to the Legion of Mary ‘in union with Mary’

I remember clearly how hesitate I was when I was about joining the Legion of Mary. Reading this third point of the Standing Instruction,
“Third, the performance of a substantial active legionary work, in the spirit of faith..”

and later on, this sentence when I took my Promise,
“I take my place in the ranks of the Legion, and I venture to promise a faithful service”
made me feel afraid. Who am I to promise that kind of ‘substantial’ and ‘faithful’ legionary work? How if after I join then I can’t do the work?

But, reading the continuation part of the third point of the Standing Instruction, comforts me…
“…..and in union with Mary, in such fashion that in those worked for and in one's fellow-members, the Person of our Lord is once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother;”

and it still is one of the most beautiful spirit that I find in the Legion,
“….in union with Mary”

The Handbook also says that it is indispensable spirit of the Legion. Here is one sentence from our Legionary Promise that we address to the Holy Spirit,
“And I realise that the secret of a perfect legionary serviceConsists in a complete union with her who is so completely united to you.”

In union with Mary is how we as legionaries should do our works, services, and furthermore live our life. She is the one who knows how to serve our Lord best, and She has no other desire in Her life other than to please and serve her Son. I find it is the beauty of the legionary service, to see others as Mary sees Christ and to serve others as Mary serves Christ, with the same love which our Lady has for Christ.

Somehow I also find it not easy in the same time.

To be in union with Mary means to do everything also with the same humility and purity of intention as She does. There are times when I do question myself if all I do is only for God’s glory, or for my own pride and purposes. ‘In union with Mary’ also means to do our Legionary services with the same intensity of love, courage, and faithfulness as She does. Most of the times, it is easier to serve the ones we love or like than to serve those we don’t. It is easier to serve when we have more time and comfortable situation than we don’t. But for Mary, it still is to be done with the same Love, for it is done for the same Christ.

On the other hand, I’m glad (and thank God) that Mary is also our Mother. She knows what Her children need. Just as we know that if our mothers want us to do something good, it is absolutely not a wrong thing, even it is a ‘have to do’ thing, to ask her help, to teach us how.

‘In union with Mary’, as Her children, to whom we have pledged ourselves, we are to be daring to ask Her help (in fact, we are to ask Her help since we are in union with her) in our services, to let Her – together with the most Holy Spirit, with whom she works in inseparable union – perfect our imperfections.

And yes! actually we need not to fear if it seems that we are alone in doing our Legionary works since She will always be there to accompany us and unite us with the countless hearts in who love Christ.

Here is a quote in the Handbook at the end of the Standing Instruction:

"Through me, Mary desires to love Jesus too in the hearts of all those whom I can kindle with love as the result of my apostolate and my perpetual prayers. If I wholly identify myself with her, she will so flood me with her graces and with her love that I shall come to resemble an over-brimming stream, that in its turn will flood the souls of others. Because of me, Mary will be enabled to love Jesus and to fill him with joy, not only through my own heart but also through the countless hearts that are united with mine."
(De Jaegher: The Virtue of Trust)

After all, we are all just instruments. She can perfect us and teach us how only if we let Her to do so, humility..

“But there can be no union with Mary without some likeness to her, and there can be little likeness to her in default of her special virtue of humility. If union with Mary is the indispensable condition - the root, so to speak, of all legionary action, then the soil on which these roots depend is humility. If that soil is deficient, the legionary life will wither.”
(From the Chapter of ‘The Duty of Legionaries toward Mary’ point 2)

So, what a privilege for us, not to be just the imitation with Mary, but also to be in union with Her always, in Her army, as Her children, as a family!

"With Mary live joyfully, with Mary bear all your trials, with Mary labour, with Mary pray, with Mary take your recreation, with Mary take your repose. With Mary seek Jesus; in your arms bear Jesus and with Jesus and Mary fix your dwelling at Nazareth. With Mary go to Jerusalem, remain near the Cross of Jesus, bury yourself with Jesus. With Jesus and Mary rise again, with Jesus and Mary mount to Heaven, with Jesus and Mary live and die." (Thomas à Kempis: Sermon to Novices)

Ps: sorry for no page number of the Handbook attached for I use the online version :P. But basicly it comes from the Standing Instruction point 3

The Standard of Legionary Service

While I think of the Legion as no less than my family in NUS, it cannot be neglected that the Legion has certain standards which its members are required to adhere to with utmost zeal and commitment. One look at the Handbook is more than enough evidence of the depth and richness of the Legion system - its spirit, devotion, membership, prayers, duties, works, etc. - which every Legionary must live by. One of the things that I find demanding is the standard of Legionary service, as outlined in chapter 4 of the Handbook. Take note that all of them start with "Must...", meaning that all these are imperative to the accomplishment of the Legionary's mission to glorify God through one's holiness and active cooperation with Mary in battling evil in the world.

1 Must "put on the whole armour of God". (Eph 6:11)

In Ephesians 6 we read about what constitutes the armor of God - truth, righteousness, peace, faith, the Spirit, and the word of God. By putting on this armor, we are transformed into Christ, and it's as if it is Christ himself who is working through us. In our work, we do not rely on our own strength or our own experience, but rather, on God's power and mercy. In my personal prayer, I always ask for the grace to be God's instrument in touching the lives of people I encounter, and to be able to radiate Christ out to them.

2 Must be "a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God . . . not conformed to this world." (Rom 12:1-2);
3 Must not turn from "toil and hardship."(2 Cor 11:27)

The Handbook speaks about martyrdom - the total giving of one's life, just as the Lord laid down his life for us. Today, martyrdom is not likely to involve being stoned to death or being thrown into a lion's den. We face a different kind of martyrdom when we face the world as Legionaries - ridicule, rejection, prejudice, criticism, failure. Legionaries must learn to be brave and courageous, always pushing forward without fear. At the same time, we need to be "comfortable" outside our comfort zones - to be ready to face new challenges, thrive in difficult circumstances, and take on new responsibilities - all in the name of our Lord.

Speaking of "comfort zones",I realized how much I had been living within my comfort zone of *good* (i.e. viceless, responsible, mostly Catholic) friends when I was invited to a friend's birthday party last week. Upon entering their house, I was face to face with a catered bar complete with bartenders who never ran out of potent cocktails, a living room turned "den of vices", boisterous laughter from smokers and hard drinkers barely out of school, stories of former classmates getting pregnant/married. It was impossible to refuse drinks, with the host even personally insisting that I try out the so-called "flamer" - a shot of vodka set aflame in your mouth. I have to admit, it was an eye-opener for me to be exposed to the subterranean youth culture for the first time that night. But this is reality - most young people succumb to materialism and vices, and there is a need for us to bring God back into their lives.

4 Must "live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." (Eph 5:2)

While setting questions on 1Corinthians for the Bible Quiz, I came across Paul's repeated admonitions to the Corinthians to set love as the highest standard in doing all things such as in making decisions about liturgy, regulations on marriage and roles within society. This rule hasn't changed after two thousand years. Our encounters with people must be loving encounters - never judgmental, never insincere, never harsh. From time to time whenever I feel drained or burned out and find it difficult to love, I look back at my personal encounter with the Lord several years ago and recall how much He has loved and cared for me through the people around me. Usually it helps me recharge myself and be able to draw energy to do my task of loving others as well.

5 Must "finish the race" (2 Tim 4:7)

It is for man to start, but for saints to finish. I think it was St. Josemaria Escriva who said or wrote that line in one of his books. It tells us to be faithful to the task at hand, to not lose hope and abandon the work halfway because we do not see any fruits from our labor. There have been many instances in the Legion where our activities do not go as well as we wanted them to, but we don't allow these to get in the way of our enthusiasm. We learn from failures and improve each time. We recognize that as long as we put in the best of our efforts and make God the center of our work, there will always be fruit.

While it is true that Legionaries have to follow a seemingly lofty set of ideals, countless members worldwide have shown that it is possible. Just look at the indomitable Venerable Edel Quinn, or Servants of God Alfie Lambe and Frank Duff, our founder. Support from the members of the praesidium is indispensable for a Legionary to persevere through challenges and downfalls and live according to the Legion's standards. That is why it is important to foster close friendships within one's praesidium. It is comforting to know that one is never alone in the battlefield; a Legionary is always united with other Legionaries and with Mary our Queen in work and in spirit.

Take One Step

Was going thru one of the cardinal points of the Legion Apostolate which mentioned abt dividing impossibilities. It says: "..in the teeth of your difficulty, take one step. There is no need yet to worry about the next step; so concentrate on that first one. When taken, a second step will immediately or soon suggest itself. Take it and a third will show.."

When faced with seemingly impossible issues, this passage can encourage us not to be self-judgemental. In the midst of such difficulties, we grind these matters one mouthful at a time. In the situations when the many steps one needs to take cannot be foreseen, Take One Step.. For He will always lead us to the next..

And each of these steps should be taken in the spirit of Mary, symbolical of her courage and humility that entails stepping forth with amiable trust in her Son. St Thomas More advised us to pray for His graces that we may labour for our prayers. With humility, we ask for His graces and in exemplifying her courage, we make each step a symbol of love for Him..

Living the Legion

It is necessary, therefore, to emphasise a principle which must govern the attitude of the legionary towards his work. It is that legionaries are no mere instruments of Mary's action. There is question of a true co-operation with her for the purpose of enriching and ransoming the souls of men. In that co-operation each supplies what the other cannot give. The legionary gives his action and his faculties: that is all of himself; and Mary gives herself with all her purity and power. Each is bound to contribute without reserve. If the spirit of this partnership is honoured by the legionary, Mary will never be found wanting. Therefore, the fate of the enterprise may be said to depend entirely on the legionary, so that he must bring to it all his intelligence and all his strength, perfected by careful method and by perseverance.

~ Handbook Chapter 6. Point 4

I was just reading an article about Brother Alfie Lambe in this month's Maria Legionis. There's one quote in big bold letters that says "Living the Legion." It was a favourite phrase of Alfie's and by it he meant allowing the spirit of the Legion to touch and influence every aspect of his life.

Isn't that an inspiring and profound idea. In a way this is linked to Paulie's post this morning. We must live our Legionary spirit, our Legionary vocation (if I may call it that) in our everyday lives, and thus make all our secular activities part of our Legion duty of sanctifying ourselves and pointing others along towards the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Paul also once told me (and I mentioned it in a previous allocutio) that the Legion is not really like other church ministries. It's more of a lifestyle that a ministry. We are not members of the Legion only during our meeting and during our contact work. It is a life to be lived in imitation of Mary, proclaiming Her to the world, living lives that would make Her proud, supplying Her what She needs in Her mission to be Mother to the world - hands, feet, mouths, eyes and ears.

Alfie Lambe, the article says, "would have us believe that the Legion of Mary is to become a legion of Marys." His faith allowed him to believe that nothing is impossible and that "all could be achieved if only we do our best now in the situation and the circumstances we find ourselves. His approach was not to see the problem, rather to bring to bear the solution." With this hope and trust, Alfie Lambe was able to tranform people and places that had been, until then, closed to the Legion. Nothing could resist this zealous Legionary's "energy of faith." The same could be said about us, and our field of enterprise - NUS.

I'm digressing from where I started, but this reminds me of what Robert F Kenendy (brother of President John F Kennedy, former US Attorney General, and possibly President too, if he had not be shot and killed while running for that office) used to say:

"Some men see things as they are and say why.
I dream things that never were and say why not."

I think such idealism is absolutely essential, whether we are trying to change a country, or just responding to the little challenges and opportunities we find along life's journey. And I also believe that a Legionary cannot help having such idealism, because, in the end we can count on the support of Someone far greater than us.

Remember, "Mary will never be found wanting"