"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?" - Song of Songs 6:10
Chapter 14 : The Praesidium 10-12 (pg. 86 – pg. 87) Today we read three clauses of the praesidium guidelines. The first one is about the authority of the spiritual director and its usage. The next two are about the appointment of the officers, their terms and the special prevention from the danger of becoming a fossilized organization.
Let me start with the authority of the spiritual director. To be frank, I was a bit surprised and alert of this clause because the handbook gives the spiritual director a decisive authority in all religious or moral questions raised at the meetings and a suspensive veto power on all the proceedings of the praesidium. I view this as the necessary weapon to defend Church teaching and shape up the organization in Mother Mary’s obedience and God’s love.
It is wonderful that in the handbook it also says: “This right is a necessary weapon; but, like any such weapon, must be used with great discretion and cautiously, lest it become an engine of destruction, not of protection. In an association well-constructed and well-guided, it will never be necessary to use it.”
This makes me think of my mentor, Fr. Bernard Chu, and how he managed the authority of spiritual direction. During a marriage enrichment camp, Fr. Bernard called a meeting and tried to solve an issue that arose. In the first round of discussion, we took a vote, however were not unanimous in the solution. Fr. Bernard wanted us to take a break and find a comfortable place to pray, and then regroup again after the recess. The result turned out to be surprisingly well. I would say this was well-constructed and well guided authority.
There is another great point brought to my attention after reading through today’s clauses. That is, the praesidium became fossilized because the human tendency for enthusiasm to subside, the spirit of routine to creep in, and for methods to become stereotyped, whereas the evils to be met change constantly.
In the handbook, it reads, “one’s first care must be for the natural sources of zeal, the officers. These must be kept always in the grip of first fervor; and this is best effected by change.” It is true from shaping the organizational point of view, yet, for our spirituality, let us never forget to pray, and ask our Heavenly Mother to intercede for us. Let’s pray together, don’t let go of the chance to recite the Tessera and the rosary. When we say Hail Mary, tens and thousands echoes will accompany our prayer reach to our Heavenly Mother. She will for sure to help us to reinstall our enthusiasm and our original fervent to serve the Legion of Mary.
So, my Dear sisters and brothers, let us abide by the handbook and don’t forget to fill our life with prayers and our prayers full of live. Amen.