Allocutio: The Legionary and the Christian Vocation

Let us reflect on the profound connection between the vocation of a Legionary and the Christian calling we all share. Members of the Legion of Mary are called to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ and participate in His threefold mission as Priest, Prophet, and King. However, we must also acknowledge that some challenges and obstacles can hinder us from fully embracing and accomplishing these roles.

Firstly, let us consider our participation in the priesthood of Christ. Through baptism, each of us is called to share in Christ's priesthood. Legionaries are entrusted with the sacred duty of bringing Christ to others, ministering to their spiritual needs, and leading them closer to God. However, amid our busy lives, neglecting our priestly role and becoming preoccupied with worldly concerns is easy. We must strive to prioritize our spiritual life and cultivate a deep personal relationship with Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and spiritual reading.

Secondly, Legionaries are called to be prophets of God's word. We are commissioned to proclaim the Good News to the world, to be ambassadors of Christ's teachings, and to bear witness to the truth. Yet, in a society that often rejects or distorts the message of Christ, it can be daunting to speak up and live out our faith boldly. To fulfill our prophetic role, we must constantly deepen our knowledge of Scripture and the teachings of the Church. We should engage in ongoing formation, study, and dialogue to equip ourselves with the tools necessary to defend our faith and confidently articulate its beauty and relevance to others.

Lastly, let us reflect on our call to share in Christ's kingship. As Legionaries, we are called to exercise authority over ourselves, our thoughts, and our actions. We are to govern our lives according to the principles of the Gospel, allowing Christ to reign in our hearts and guide our decisions. However, the world often tempts us with the allure of power, wealth, and status. We may find it challenging to renounce our own will and submit to the will of God in all things. We must practice humility, detachment, and self-discipline to improve our adherence to Christ's kingship. We should seek the intercession of the Holy Spirit to guide us and grant us the strength to resist the world's temptations.

In our pursuit of holiness and the fulfillment of our Christian vocation, it is essential to acknowledge the unique role of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary, our Mother and model, had an unparalleled intimacy with her Son, Jesus. She lived perfectly in conformity to God's will, embracing her vocation with unwavering faith, humility, and love. Let us emulate her virtues and seek her intercession, for she will lead us closer to Jesus.

Practical ways to improve our vocation as Legionaries include attending our presidium meetings faithfully, actively participating in the works of evangelization, and availing ourselves of the opportunities for spiritual growth provided by the Legion. We must cultivate a deep prayer life, including daily Mass, the Rosary, and spiritual reading. Moreover, it is vital to maintain regular contact with our spiritual director and to foster fraternal bonds with our fellow Legionaries, encouraging and supporting one another in our journey of faith.

Let us remember that our vocation as members of the Legion of Mary is a great privilege and responsibility. By sharing Christ's roles as Priest, Prophet, and King, we are called to bring Christ's love, truth, and authority to the world. As we embark on this noble mission, let us draw inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary, who can guide us toward a deeper intimacy with her Son, Jesus. May she intercede for us so that we may fulfill our vocation with joy, perseverance, and the utmost dedication. 

The Threefold Path: Interior Life of the Legionaries

As we embrace our calling, we find the pursuit of an enriching interior life at the core of our faith and duty. This pursuit is not merely an idea or a path to follow; it is the essence of our existence, commitment to God, and service to humankind.

Let's take a moment to consider the growth of a mighty oak tree, a paragon of strength, persistence, and enduring grace. Like this great tree, our spiritual life depends on three fundamental aspects – prayer, self-denial or mortification, and the sacraments. 

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1. Prayer: The Seed of Spiritual Life

The seed of the mighty oak, seemingly insignificant in size, holds an innate potential for growth within it. Likewise, prayer is the seed of our spiritual life, the beginning of our connection with God. Prayer fosters our relationship with the Divine, fortifying us in times of adversity and filling us with joy in times of abundance. It's a tool for communication, a channel for expressing our needs, fears, hopes, and dreams. But prayer is not a one-way street; it also entails listening, a willingness to be shaped by God's will, and understanding His divine purpose for us. As the seed needs to be nurtured consistently, our prayer life, too, needs constancy and sincerity. 

2. Mortification or Self-Denial: The Pruning Process

Every gardener knows that for a tree to grow strong and healthy, it must undergo careful pruning. This process might seem harsh, but it's necessary for the tree to reach its full potential. Mortification, akin to this pruning, is our path to self-denial, a way to purge our souls from worldly distractions and self-centered desires. This intentional discipline of our minds and bodies allows us to let go of our will to let God's will flourish within us. It is not about punishing ourselves but freeing ourselves from what could hinder our spiritual growth. 

3. The Sacraments: The Sun and Rain 

The mighty oak, once a mere seedling, then pruned to encourage healthy growth, now depends on the sun and rain for nourishment. These elements of nature, vital for sustenance, are like the sacraments in our spiritual journey. The sacraments instituted by Christ are like beams of divine sunlight and the nourishing rain that nurture our souls, infusing us with grace and fortifying our faith. Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony - gifts from God that strengthen our spiritual journey and draw us closer to Him.

In our journey as Legionaries, let us remember that our interior life is much like the life of the mighty oak. Rooted in prayer, trimmed through mortification, and nourished by the sacraments, we grow strong in our faith and service to God and our fellow man. In embracing these three aspects, we continue the Legion of Mary's mission of love, service, and relentless pursuit of the divine.

So let us be like the mighty oak, firm in our roots, ready for the pruning, and open to the nourishment of the divine, ever-growing towards the light of God's love. In our service as Legionaries, let us carry this trinity of faith in our hearts: Prayer, Mortification, and the Sacraments, anchoring our path and strengthening our resolve as we march onward in His holy service.

The Legionaries and Synodality

Viktor A.

The Legio Mariae (2014 edition) offers the fundamental dispositions of the Legion in their commitment to support the Parish's journey toward being a Synodal Church.

1. Humility: The Handbook stresses the importance of humility in the Legionary's approach to their work, stating, "The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself. Especially does the Legion aspire after her profound humility, perfect obedience, angelical sweetness, continual prayer, and universal mortification" (Chapter 3, paragraph 1). A humble disposition makes a perfect instrument in the hands of God. It helps one to focus on the Church’s mission rather than one’s agenda.

2. Listening: The Handbook emphasizes the importance of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, stating that "It is significant that the first corporate act of the Legion of Mary was to address itself to the Holy Spirit by his Invocation and Prayer, then proceeding by the rosary to Mary and her Son" (Chapter 7, paragraph 1) and "Shall not such an organization be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4) and shall there not be "many wonders and signs." (Acts 2:43)" (Chapter 5, paragraph 4). The "legionary distrusts the promptings of her/his inclinations and in all things listens intently for the whisperings of grace" (Chapter 6, paragraph h). It also encourages Legionaries to be attentive to the needs of others and to "aim initially at listening instead of talking. Having listened patiently and respectfully; they will have won the right to be heard." (Chapter 37, paragraph 5).

3. Collaboration: The Handbook stresses the importance of collaboration between the laity and the clergy, stating that "Collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish and so help to bring every soul in some manner into the protective network of the Church, thus securing the safety alike of the individual and the community." (Chapter 37, paragraph g). 

4. Participation: The Handbook emphasizes the importance of active participation in the life of the Church, stating that "The active work of the Legionary is a participation in the official apostolate of the Church. Praetorian membership aims at immersing him still deeper in the corporate life of the Church. It must prescribe Mass and Holy Communion because these are the central ceremonies of the Church, renewing daily the paramount Christian act. Next in the Liturgy comes the Office, the corporate utterance of the Church, in which Christ prays. In any Office built upon the Psalms, we use the prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit and thus get close to that corporate voice the Father must hear. That is why an Office, not meditation, is a condition of praetorian membership" (Chapter 16, paragraphs 2-3). The emphasis on prayer shouldn’t be surprising because this is the primary commitment of a legionary, that is, to be disciples of Jesus who are confirmed and strengthened by prayer.

5. Respect for Tradition: The Handbook stresses the importance of fidelity to the teachings and practices of the Church, stating that "The association establishes a tradition, begets a loyalty, enjoys respect and obedience, and powerfully inspires its members." (Chapter 11, no. 4, paragraph 3). 

6. Prayer: The Handbook emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of the Legionary, stating that the primary degree, "named the auxiliaries, is one wing of the Legion's praying army. Its service consists of the daily recitation of the prayers in the Tessera: the invocation and prayer of the Holy Spirit; five decades of the rosary and the invocations which follow them; the Catena; and the prayers described as "concluding prayers." These may be divided throughout the day, as convenient." (Chapter 16, number 2). The higher degree, namely, the adjutorians: "This is the other wing of the praying Legion. It comprises those who will (a) recite daily all the prayers of the Tessera and, in addition, (b) agree to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion daily and to recite daily an Office approved by the Church. (Chapter 16, number 2).

Fostering a Synodality Church will significantly move forward when all its members recognize the importance of humility, listening, collaboration, participation, respect for tradition, and prayer.