"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 13 : MEMBERSHIP 8-16 (pg. 82 – pg. 83) In the last paragraph of today’s reading, it says: “The Church was founded to spread the kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all men partakers in redemption and salvation and through them to establish the right relationship of the entire world to Christ.” Which makes me wonder, “for what reason was the Legion of Mary founded?”
Was the Legion of Mary founded to spread the kingdom of Mary instead of God? No, there is no other kingdom besides the kingdom of God. To glorify Mary? No, Mary doesn’t need us to glorify her, but she wants us to glorify God. And therefore, the Legion of Mary was founded to also spread the kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father. Well, if this is the case, why Mary? Why form a Legion of Mary? It is simply because Mary is not only Jesus’ mother but also our Mother, full of grace, who better to lead us to Jesus than the one who was chosen to conceive Him, birth Him, hold Him and raise Him? She is the first tabernacle.
From today’s reading, I’d like to point out several key points for us to reflect on.
Once the candidate is deemed qualified, why should he/she not delay in taking the Promise? It is because the virtue of fortitude needs to be fulfilled. Fortitude is the virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in our life. I invite you to meditate on an unmarried teenage girl who received the invitation from Saint Gabriel to be the Mother of God.
Why is it not desirable to receive two or more candidates simultaneously? Because every single one of us is unique and precious in God and Mary’s eyes, and they want us to know that we are valuable. They do not take this lightly.
If a candidate for some reason does not wish to take the Promise, his/her probation may be extended for a further period of three months. But why at the end of that supplementary period, the candidate must either take the Promise without mental reservation or leave the praesidium? Think of this, Mother Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, what did they do? They stayed focus on preparing all the necessities to welcome a new baby into this world. Therefore the extra three months for preparation and discerning of joining the Legion of Mary would be sufficient enough.
After becoming a legionary, why in the case of absences should the person’s name not be removed from the roster? It is because the Legion of Mary is a loving, compassionate, and caring group. As the handbook says, this should be viewed with a right degree of sympathy for the circumstances which are responsible.
We all know from the last meeting that the Legion requires for membership is that the person be a practicing Catholic who is willing to work as the Lay Apostolate, and be able to abide by the rules and obligations of the Legion. One of the amazing features of the Legion of Mary is that it can lift up the lowly to become the evangelist of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A humble contrite heart, regardless of their background, education, or ability, usually becomes the most dedicated member of the Legion of Mary."
Dear brothers and sisters, please remember, every one of us, the Legions, is valuable, precious, and called to be holy. Amen.