Personal Holiness: Object and Means

**Growing in One's Relationship with God**

In the mission to promote the Legion of Mary's objectives, personal holiness is the fundamental cornerstone that empowers members and guides their actions. The Legion of Mary recognizes that a strong relationship with God is pivotal in carrying out its mission effectively. Personal holiness, Divine Grace, and the Glory of God are essential factors for shaping the spiritual growth of its members. 

• Through prayer, self-discipline, and a commitment to lead lives rooted in Christian virtues, members strive to become more Christ-like in their thoughts, words, and actions. By cultivating personal holiness, they align themselves with the divine will of God, opening channels for the Holy Spirit to work through them. As the Gospel of John (15:5) states, "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." Thus, personal holiness becomes the source of their spiritual strength, allowing them to bear abundant fruit in their service to the Legion of Mary's mission.
• Divine Grace, as God's unmerited favor, plays a vital role in the Legion of Mary's pursuit of personal holiness. The Legion recognizes that human efforts alone are insufficient to grow in holiness and to carry out its mission effectively. Through God's grace, members are empowered to overcome challenges, grow in virtue, and be transformed by His love. Divine Grace becomes the motivating force behind their desire for holiness, sustaining them in times of difficulty and temptation and fortifying their commitment to the Legion's mission.
• Central to the Legion of Mary's objectives are the Glory of God and the salvation of souls. Members understand that personal holiness is not an end in itself but a means to glorify God and contribute to the sanctification of the Church. By striving for holiness, members become witnesses of God's love and mercy, attracting others to the faith and leading them to salvation. In living out this commitment to holiness, the Legion of Mary's mission finds its fulfillment and purpose.

By understanding how personal holiness is intricately linked to the Legion of Mary's mission, members can deepen their commitment to the faith and become more effective agents of positive change.

**Formation Program for Legion of Mary Members**

A well-structured formation program is indispensable in fostering personal growth, spiritual maturity, and the practice of evangelical counsels. Here are the essential elements of an effective formation program, emphasizing the cultivation of personal holiness as the primary means of action within the Legion of Mary. 

• A comprehensive formation program also includes education on the Legion's spirituality, history, and organizational structure. Members learn about the Legion's Marian focus, its devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the role of the Legion within the broader context of the Catholic Church. Understanding the organization's history and the legacy of its founders imparts a sense of identity and purpose, fostering a deeper connection to the mission and goals of the Legion of Mary.
• Integral to the formation program is the practice of the evangelical counsels - poverty, chastity, and obedience - at the heart of Christian discipleship. While not all Legion of Mary members take vows of religious life, the evangelical counsels are practiced in the context of their secular lives. The formation program equips members with the knowledge and understanding of these counsels, guiding them in their application within their everyday life situations. Embracing the evangelical counsels leads to a more profound sense of detachment from worldly pursuits, selfless service to others, and profound obedience to God's will, all vital qualities in fulfilling the Legion's mission.
• The Legion of Mary's formation program also fosters a strong sense of community and mutual support among its members. Regular meetings, discussions, and sharing of experiences create a bond of fraternity that sustains and uplifts members in their personal holiness and service journey. This supportive environment enables members to learn from one another, offer encouragement in times of challenge, and celebrate each other's successes, all of which contribute to a strong and vibrant Legion of Mary community.

By providing a supportive and enriching environment for members' spiritual development, the Legion of Mary can ensure its mission thrives through dedicated and knowledgeable individuals.

**Missionary Commitment**

At the Legion of Mary's core lies its unwavering commitment to serve as instruments of God's love and mercy, reaching out to souls needing spiritual nourishment. Here is how personal service, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is crucial in fulfilling the organization's mission. 

• Central to the Legion's missionary commitment is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Members recognize that their actions, endeavors, and outreach must be under the influence of the Spirit, who empowers and directs their efforts. Through openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, members can discern and respond to the specific needs of individuals and communities they encounter in their mission. The Holy Spirit ignites the fire of missionary zeal within members' hearts, inspiring them to share the Good News and bring Christ's love to those who hunger for spiritual nourishment.
• The Legion of Mary's approach to missionary commitment is deeply rooted in personal service. Members engage in works of mercy, evangelization, and spiritual assistance to people in various situations and stages of life. Through home visits, hospital and prison ministries, catechesis, and prayer meetings, they extend a hand of friendship, compassion, and spiritual support to those they encounter. In these acts of service, the Legion's mission finds concrete expression, allowing members to touch lives and plant seeds of faith in the hearts of others.
• Moreover, the Legion of Mary recognizes that missionary commitment is not limited to external actions but is also profoundly intertwined with personal holiness. A life of prayer and devotion is the fertile ground from which a true missionary spirit flourishes. As members grow in their relationship with God, they become more compassionate, understanding, and Christ-like in their interactions with others. Their holiness radiates outward, drawing people to the faith by the power of the Holy Spirit working through them.
• Another essential aspect of the Legion's missionary commitment is the collective effort of its members. By working together as a unified body, members amplify the impact of their service and create a synergy that transcends individual efforts. Regular meetings, discussions, and spiritual support foster a strong sense of community and teamwork, making the Legion of Mary a powerful force for positive change and spiritual transformation in those they encounter.

By embracing their roles as missionaries, members actively participate in the sanctification of the Church and the salvation of souls, exemplifying the holiness they seek to promote. This theme sheds light on practical ways through which members can live out their missionary vocation and positively impact the lives of others, thereby inspiring even more extraordinary dedication to the Legion of Mary's noble cause.

As members grow in their faith, knowledge, and dedication to service, they become living testimonies of the Legion of Mary's mission, drawing others into the fold of faith and fostering a strong sense of communal devotion. The Legion of Mary's legacy of promoting personal holiness and missionary zeal can thus endure, touching countless lives and shaping the spiritual landscape of society for generations to come.