LeuVlQ v-d I Fa.. t{")e. II

'he. (O~"1 of-_ . -T 74S\

Pamphlets on Social Questions

S 126. .. 104.

.. 105.

.. 111.

" 132.

.. 120.

" 88.

.. 18 . 76.

.. 115. 86.

97.

79.

70.

.. 109.

" 122. .. 131. " 129.

TWOPENCE EACH

The Pope and Catholic Action. A Pope on Capital and Labour. The significance of the

Encyclical Rerum No'Uarum. By Cardinal Manning. The Social Order: Its Reconstruction and Perfection .

(The Encyclical Quadragesimo Anno). By His Holiness Pope Pius XI.

The Troubles of our Time. (The Encyclical Caritate Christi Compulsi). By the same.

The Use and Misuse of Films. (The Encyclical Vigila12ti Cum). By the same.

Mental Deficiency. By Mildred Macgown, :\I.B., Ch.B . A Talk to Catholic Wives. "A City full of Boys and

Girls." (Birth Control). By a Catholic Woman Doctor.

The Duties of Married Life. By Cardinal Mercier. The Declining Birthrate. By Rev. H. Thurston, S.J. The Catholic Mother. By Rev. Bede Jarrett, O.P . Catholics and Divorce. By Rev. H. Thurston, S.J. (New

and revised edition). The Catholic Attitude on the Education Question. By

His Eminence Cardinal Bourne. The Catholic Church and the Principle of Private

Property. By Hilaire Belloc . •• The Things that are Cresar's " (The Church and the

State). By Rev. J. Keating, S.J. The Catholic Land Movement. By Rev. V. McNabb, O.P.,

and Commander H. Shove, with a Foreword by G. K. Chesterton.

The Case Against Sterilisation. By Dr. Letitia Fairfield. Suicide and Euthanasia. By Rev. G. J. McGillivray, M.A . Courtship for Girls and Practical Instruction for

those about to be Married. (Une Penny).

CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY ;lSj-!O ECCLESTON SQ., AND 28A ASHLEY PLACE, LONDON, 5.\\'.1

BRANCHES WALES :-3..& CUARLJ:S STREET. CARDIFF DIR:MINGHAM :--74 BATH STREET,

BIRMINGHA:-'[

SALFORD :-27 JOHN DALTOK STREET, TYNESIDE :-ST )lARY'S CATHEDRAL :\IANCHESTER LODGE, !'\EWCASTLE (1)

LIVF.RPOOL :-30 M.\!\CIlESTEK STRI:.ET, DERUy:-MILL HILI. HOUSE, LIVERPOOL i\IIlL HILL LANE, DERBY

SUSSEX :-28 BRISTOL ROAD, BRIG!lTO!\ (7)

THE · LEGION OF MARY BY

REV. FATHER LEONARD, C.P.

LONDON:

CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY

FOREWORD

HIS Holiness Pope Pius XI addressed a pilgrimage of the Legion of Mary in the following remarkable words, on 16th September, 1933:

"We give a very special bkssing to this beautiful and holy work--the Legion of Mary. Its name speaks for itself. The image of Mary Immaculate on its standard portrays high and holy things.

The Blessed Virgin is the Mother of the Redeemer, and of us all. She co-operates in our Redemption, for it was under the cross that she became our mother. This year we are celebrating the centenary of that co-operation, and of that universal maternity of Mary.

I pray for you that you may exercise still more earnestly that apostolate of prayer and work to which you have set your hands. So doing, God will make you, too, co-operators in the Redemption. This is the best of all ways in which to show your gratitude to the Redeemer."

THE LEGION OF MARY

ORIGIN OF THE LEGION OF MARY ON the evening of the 7th September, 1921, that is at First Vespers of the feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Mother, fifteen women of various ages, under the direction of a priest, met together in a room in Myra House (a centre of St Vincent de Paul activities), Francis Street, Dublin. Their object was to form a society for the primary purpose of visiting the sick poor in the Dublin Union Hospital. They knelt around a table on which was a statue of the Immaculate Conception (the Miraculous Medal model), two vases of flowers, and two lighted candles. The Invocation and Prayer to the Holy Ghost were recited, followed by the Rosary. Then there was a Spiritual Reading. Detailed plans of their primary work were drawn up, and advice was given as to the spirit and method of the work. Officers were appointed: a weekly meeting was decided upon, and the proceedings ended with prayer.

On the following Wednesday, at 8 p.m., the second meeting was held. The members reported the results of their visits to the hospital, which were most

4 The Legion of Mary

encouraging and consoling. Some new members were present at the meeting. And so, week after week, the numbers of new members increased, and a wider field of operation came into view: visitation of the homes of the people: rescue work: assisting the priests in difficult cases: Instruction classes. So that to-day, there is scarcely any class of work that does not engage the activities of the Legion.

At first the Legion was confined to women; but it was soon evident that the organisation was equally adapted for men. So there are already in existence many flourishing branches for men. The first branch in the United States was of men. The first branch in Canada was of men. In Africa a men's branch and a. women's branch started simultaneously.

In February, 1922, the present Holy Father, Pius XI. ascended the Papal Throne. Soon he began to send out a clarion call for Catholic Action. In pronouncements. he filled in the wonderful scheme for the development of the Lay Apostolate. From the very beginning of the Holy Father's call, the Legion of Mary found that it was already, unconsciously, carrying out his wishes. As each new pronouncement came regarding Catholic: Action, the Legion still found itself, even in the smallest details, in perfect harmony with the Pope's ideals. Nothing but a special intervention of Divine Providence could adequately explain this fact. So it is the firm conviction of many, that the Blessed Mother herself inspired the foundation of the Legion and has been watching over every step of its progress.

In Dublin itself there are at present 121 adult Praesidia (or branches), with a total active membership-

Origin 0/ the Legion oj Mary 5

()f over 3,000, a number which increases steadily. Three great hostels are in existence, kept by the Legionaries: one, for down and out women, called « Regina Coeli ": another, for down and out men, called .. The Morning Star." In these havens of rest, comfort, and warmth, men and women of all kinds, and all stages -of misery, are cared for by the Legionaries of both sexes. Only God knows the number whose souls have been saved by these apostles of zeal, who work voluntarily for, and in the name of, His Blessed Mother. The third is called" Sancta Maria," which represents a new method -of dealing with the problem of prostitution. This is not meant as a substitute for the Magdalen Asylum, but rather to supplement it.

In Glasgow, Scotland, a Regina Coeli has been established. In Belfast, Ireland, a "Sancta Maria" has been opened at the special request of the Bishop of D~wn and Connor, His Lordship actually providing the premises.

In many other cities, steps are being taken to establish similar hostels, and it can safely be asserted that soon III all cities of the Catholic world these hostels will be essential features of the Church system.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LEGION OF MARY A reader may say :-where is the original idea in this

apostolate, for hundreds have done similar things down the centuries? The names of St Vincent de Paul, St Peter Claver, St John of God, St Camillus, Frederick Ozanam, and a host of heroic souls leap to the mind. This is the original idea that marks this apostolate as Our Lady's own :-To every Legionary of Mary everything

6 The Legion of Mary

is for her and through her to Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the Legion is the Spirit of Mary. She is the centre, the axis of all spiritual activity. , The Legionary believes that we can get to know her Divine Son better and love Him more through Mary. She is the most perfect model of Him and His Virtues: she can teach us more than all the saints about Him and His Will : she is the surest way to His Sacred Heart: she hai power over Him beyond all angels, saints, and men­so that, with the one idea of living Mary, of shewing her to the world, of doing everything for her sake, and in her name, and by her power, the Legionary will become far more quickly, and surely, even infallibly, "another Christ." He salutes her as Mediatrix of All Graces­because there is an ever-growing belief in the Church that every Grace that comes from God, comes through the hands of Mary. In a broad sense she controls, through the Divine Will, the outpourings of Grace fr\tm God to all His creatures.

THE INSPIRATION OF THE LEGION OF MARY The title, " Mediatrix of All Graces," is the inspiration

of the Legion. In the present order of things God could not create anyone more perfect, more holy, more full of grace than she. She is next in wonder to God. The blinding effulgence of the Godhead shines around her. There is an infinite distance between God and her as regards her nature and person, but she can look up, as it were, as the light of the Godhead streams into her eyes, and say to God: "My Son!" Blessed Grignion de Montfort became a sort of incarnation of Marian theology: every thought, every breath, every heartbeat

The Inspiration of the Legion of Mary 7

was for her to Christ. There is nothing impossible to Mary. That may sound a wild extravagance of love, a poetic effusion of a mystic . But, it is crammed with cold, passionless logic . . We always, of course, think and speak as God Wills, as He has eternally decreed in the Divine Mind, when we say: "Nothing is impossible to Mary." It is obvious that she cannot change the eternal hatred of the damned, and equally obvious that she cannot destroy free will in the living reprobate. But, however subtle is the distinction, yet it is true and real­she can save all before the gates of Hell have banged behind the reprobate. On this point we are on the fringe of the Mystery of Predestination.

THE FORM OF THE LEGION OF MARY The nomenclature of the Legion is of Roman origin.

In olden times the Roman Legion symbolised the acme of courage, discipline, honour, endurance, success, and loyalty. So, those men and women who would enroll under the standard of the Blessed Mother, must shew these virtues or traits in a supernatural way.

A local branch of the Legion is called a " Praesidium " ; in Roman times this meant a fortified post or garrison, a detachment of Legionaries on special duty. In a district where two or more Praesidia exist, a " Curia" is formed. Each" Praesidium " is called after a title of the Blessed Mother, e.g. " Queen of Apostles "-and each "Praesidium" sends its Spiritual Director and four delegates to every meeting of the" Curia" which assembles at least once a month. The governing body for a country or a region is styled a "Senatus." The Supreme Governing Body of the Legion of Mary for

8 The Legion of Mary

the whole world is called the "Concilium," and IS

permanently resident in Dublin.

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who (a) are

at least eighteen years of age (this condition applies to Active Legionaries only), (b) lead edifying lives, (c) are animated with the Spirit of the Legion, (d) are prepared to do every duty which membership of the Legion involves.

DEGREES OF MEMBERSHIP There are four different kinds of Legionaries of Mary,

although each must have the spirit and ideals of the Legion-everything in life for Mary, and through Mary, to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.

(1). The Active Legionary of Mary carries to full perfection the whole ideal of the Legion in the world. A " Praesidium " may be started in any parish or place, with the consent of the Parish Priest or Religious Superior. The approval of the Bishop of the diocese is absolutely essential, because Active Legion work is simply" Catholic Action" in its most sublime form, in absolute submission to Ecclesiastical Authority, safe­guarded by plenteous prayer and self-sacrifice, and carried on by exact system and complete co-operation with the priest. It is the glory of the Active Legionary to do any kind of spiritual work at the wish of the Spiritual Director, who is usually the Parish Priest or . curate. Before going into detail with regard to the Active Legionary Apostolate it is necessary to mention the following essential part of the constitution of the Legion of Mary :-

(

Meeting of the Praesidium

MEETING OF THE PRAESIDIUM The "Praesidium" meets once a week. This is

absolutely essential. It must never be broken, because, by a spiritual bond of prayer and sacrifice, every Legionary is united in the most intimate way around the Blessed Mother. Even if only a few Legionaries can meet, the others being unavoidably absent through sickness or any other reason, yet the spirit of the Legion is maintained in its integrity. The Legion uses the Miraculous Medal statue of the Blessed Mother-which seems to harmonise with all its aspirations, for the Blessed Mother has her cloak outspread, her arms held out as if to gather all her special children to herself, and keep them for ever safe under the shelter of her cloak. So, in some suitable room the Legionaries meet. The Miraculous Medal statue rests on a white cloth inscribed with the words: "Legio Mariae," or "Th~ Legion of Mary": on the table two candles burn in, if possible, silver candlesticks : two vases of flowers. In addition there should be, if possible, a replica of the Standard of the Legion. These form a kind of altar. Around this they gather. After the opening prayers the Rosary is said: a spiritual reading is given: the minutes of the preceding meeting are read and signed: then each Legionary gives a report on his or her apostolate: the proceedings are interrupted for the recitation of the" Catena" of the Legion, followed by the " Allocutio" or commentary on the Rule given by the Spiritual Director, in his absence by the President: then the reports of the Legionaries are resumed: a Secret Collection is taken up: then the Concluding Prayers. The whole Meeting must not last

10 The Legion of Mary

longer than an hour and a half, and of course may not last so long.

In every Praesidium there are, in addition to the Spiritual Director, four officers: President, Vice­President, Treasurer, Secretary. Everything that transpires in the meeting as regard the different aposto­lates is under the seal of secrecy. No Legionary is permitted to discuss any Legion affairs with those who are not members. In this way confidence ,,,ill never be abused, and the local Priest will never fear any trouble or scandal from gossiping by the Legionaries.

Praesidia of Junior Legionaries (i.e., for persons under eighteen years of age) may be formed either inside or outside of schools. While the work which will be given to them will necessarily differ from that assigned to the Senior Legionaries, nevertheless each junior must be provided with a substantial active task weekly. Junior membership should be an approximation to senior meIl).bership. There is no question of " junior" meaning" trivial." A few items of the many suggestions for junior work, which are set out in the Legion Hand­book, are :-(a) collecting of used postage stamps; (b) teaching the Catechism to younger children; (c) gaining auxiliary members for the Legion; (d) prefect­ing for a children's sodality; (e) collection of literature for subsequent distribution; (f) tending of altars, oratories, gardens, etc., in a school or other institution; (g) aiding the Foreign Missions.

(2). The" Praetorian" Legionary is one who under­takes to strive for sanctification in a more heroic way. This must not be understood to mean a separate unit or organisation-it is only a higher degree of ordinary

Meeting of the Praesidium 11

active membership. In order to become a Praetorian Legionary (The Praetorian Guard was the picked regiment of the Roman Army) the following obligations are necessary- (a) The daily recitation of all the prayers comprised in the prayer-card of the Legion: (b) daily Mass and Holy Communion: (c) the daily recitation of some form of Office approved by the Church, viz., The Little Office of The Blessed Virgin, or The Immaculate Conception, or The Franciscan Office (if Tertiaries), or a substantial portion (i.e., Matins, and Lauds, or the Small Hours) of the Divine Office.

(3). An Auxiliary Legionary of Mary is one who cannot undertake the active apostolate, but who under­takes to give the Legion the priceless backing of his or her prayers. This membership is sub-divided into two degrees. One is for Priests and Religious only. These members are more particularly designated Adjutorians. How earnestly the Legion desires union with this consecrated class, which has been specially deputed to lead lives of prayer and close intimacy with God, and which forms in the Church a glorious power-station of spiritual energy! Effectively linked up with that power-station, Legionary machinery would pulsate with irresistible force. Hence, in the urgent interest of the Legion, appeal is made to every Priest and Religious to place a little of themselves in the service of this crusade of Mary. They have it in their power to become its driving-force.

The other degree of auxiliary membership is for the Lay members, who are simply styled "Auxiliaries."

The ordinary obligation of this form of Legionary service is the daily recitation of the prayers comprised

12 The Legion oj Mary

in the Legion Tessera, or prayer-card, namely, the Invocation and Prayer of the Holy Ghost; five Decades of the Rosary with Invocations; the Catena (i.e., the Magnificat, etc.) ; and the Legion special prayer. These prayers are offered for the intentions of Our Blessed Lady.

The Legion recognises that the prayers of Priests and Religious are often subject to so many obligations that the fulfilment of the above definite obligation would be difficult, or the cause of scruple. Hence, the Adjutorian has the option of performing his or her Legionary service by the recitation of the prayers already specified, or by the recitation of the Catena Legionis together with a form of offering of one's prayers and works to Mary.

United to the Legion, the two grades of auxiliary members will find in it a support on which to rest the long lever of their holy prayers, which then become omnipotent to uplift the burdened souls of the entire world and move away its mountainous problems.

There is no age-limit in regard to the Auxiliary Legionary.

(4). The" Lau eate" degree of membership may be conferred on persons who are not active members, but who have rendered eminent services to the Legion. The services must be such that they contribute to the building of the Legion, and therefore place the entire Legion of Mary under a· lasting debt of gratitude. Laureate members share in all the prayers, works, and privileges of the Legion. In Roman times the Senate crowned with Laurel those whom it sought to honour. And, the greatest honour the Legion of Mary can confer on anyone who is not an ordinary member is the

Meeting of the Praesidium 13

Laureate membership. By that act he becomes part of the soul of the Legion, and a permanent sharer in all its prayers and works.

THE LEGION APOSTOLATE Apart from the primary duty of personal sanctification

through Mary, the Legionary has an essential obligation of shewing Mary to the world, and carrying on her eternal destiny of crushing the head of the serpent, and spreading the Kingdom of God on earth. An active apostolate is essential to the Legion of Mary. A Praesidium in a parish does any kind of work for the good of souls at the wish of the priest. So, he has a chosen band of men and women whose only ambition is to further his influence and power among his people: whose " raison d'etre " is to multiply his presence and ministry in the parish. The field of the Legion Apostolate is without limit. Every Legionary is inspired by one thought-to live Mary, to work for her, to make others know and love her, and to make the Reign of Jesus through His Blessed Mother a universal triumph. In the Active Apostolate the Legionaries go in twos, following the example of the disciples of Our Lord. They go in the name, and for the love of, and by the power of, the Blessed Mother-so that she walks by their side along every street; she enters with them into every house or hospital they visit; she whispers in their ears what to say; she protects them from all harm. With this faith in her, every Legionary knows that every obstacle must finally yield to her: nothing is impossible to her however difficult and hopeless it may be :to resist Mary is to resist God.

14 The Legion of Mary

ACTIVE LEGIONARY WORK At any time the Spiritual Director of a " Praesidium ':

can call on the Legionaries to do any spiritual work for the good of his flock . No matter how difficult or dis­tasteful it be, the Legionaries will obey. They will do only th~ work he wishes. In different parts of the world Legionaries of Mary are engaged in the following Apostolates at the wish of the priest:-

(a) They visit the hospitals and get to know the Catholic and even non-Catholic patients. They bring Catholic newspapers or Rosaries, medals, etc. When a friendly contact has been established they carefully find out if the patient is a practical Catholic or not: if not, they persuade him, or her, to come back to the practice of the Faith. Every patient longs for visitors in hospital and a great field is open here for Legionaries.

(b) In countless parishes the Legionaries make a house to house census of the parish. Many submerged Catholics in every parish are found in this way, for they talk more readily to lay people than to nuns or priests.

(c) The lodging-houses in the poorer districts offer unlimited opportunities for the apostolic zeal of the Legionaries. Men and women, usually degraded and wretched, drift from one to another. In their helpless misery, fighting against starvation, and embittered by their poverty, they only too often turn against God. Through constantly keeping in touch with these poor souls the Legionaries bring them back to God.

(d) Catholic newspapers and magazines are one of the strongest buiwarks against the flood of dirty, immoral, pagan, secularist papers and magazines that

Active Legionary Work 15

invade the homes of the people: and so the Legionaries bring into the homes of the Catholic people the Catholic newspaper and monthly magazine.

(e) A Bishop, delivering a programme of work to Legionaries, placed as the most important, the conducting of a Sunday Mass Crusade among children. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this Legionary work. So, the homes of careless parents whose children miss Mass, are visited on the Sunday mornings by the Legionaries with sovereign efficacy.

(f) Sodalities in the church are the spiritual power­houses of the parish. If no, or anaemic, sodalities are in a parish its spiritual state will be very low, and the leakage will be fearful. To promote Sodality member­ship, to make them pulsing with life, and to have a complete roll-call, is a great work of the Legion.

(g) A daily Mass and daily Holy Communion Crusade in a parish can work miracles, for" it is the Mass that matters": it is Holy Communion that gives life to the soul. All grace comes from the Calvary of to-day: the Tabernacle is the holiest place on earth. So, all the energies of the Legionaries are flung into this Crusade.

(h) In every parish in the world there are careless and bad, lapsed and apostate Catholics. Oftentimes the local priests cannot give these people the attention they need. The Legionaries will visit the houses of these people, and use every means to make them good. Even though they be insulted and snubbed, yet they will

. continue the weekly visits for years, until finally grace triumphs.

(i) To teach Catechism to children attending

16 The Legion oj Mary

non-Catholic schools: to instruct converts for reception into the Church: to conduct clubs for girls and boys: to do Altar Society work: to help the Foreign Missions­all these are specimens of the apostolates which Legion­aries of Mary are carrying on in the world. In fine, any work, for the good of souls, at the wish of the priest, the Legion of Mary will undertake.

EXAMPLES OF LEGIONARY ACTIVITY The following examples of Legionary activity are

from various parts of the world. Situated amongst the West Indies, 500 miles from

South America lies the island of Puerto Rico. The island is Spanish-speaking. The Redemptorist Fathers have a large share in the missionary life. At Caguas they have charge of two parishes: Caguas and Aguas Buenas, with a population of 47,000 in the former and 13,000 in the latter. Practically all the residents are baptized Catholics. Two churches, thirteen chapels, and seven other places where Mass is celebrated occasion­ally are served by the Fathers.

On Pentecost Sunday, 1932, the Rector, Father Goetten, C.SS.R., glanced through the American Passionist magazine, "The Sign." Some notes on the Legion of Mary, by the Editor, caught his eye. He picked up the March number to read an article on the Legion of Mary. It seemed an inspiration, and a divine answer to prayer. Could the Legion work in Caguas?

Priests were insulted in the streets: ridiculed on the stage: in the Press most unfairly tre&d. Opposi­tion from all quarters: Protestants, Spiritualists,

Examples of , Legionary Activity 17

Adventists; Theosophists, all working to undermine the Faith. So many of his flock indifferent and lapsed. No organisation, secular or religious, seemed to live. Could the Legion of Mary do anything for him?

On 26th September, 1932, the first official meeting of the Legion took place. By November, 1933, Mary had blessed in a remarkable way the work of her Legion in Caguas. In 1934, Father Goetten writes: "The Legion is the best thing out, and I look forward to the meetings with pleasure. It has done wonders in the little time already established and will do even more in the future. Several other parishes are now desirous of starting. Our Legionaries are active and enthusiastic workers: homes visited, 1,206; marriages validated, 22; Baptisms, 191; conversions, 121; First Com­munions, 138-children 70, adults, 68; children for Catechism, 190; Catechists secured, S." He continues: " Just one other item. Three of our girls have estab­lished themselves in a distant part of the town as a sort of lay missionary society. They teach Catechism, say the Rosary, and visit the people there. They are working some three months and are well liked. The priest who formerly passed there heard nothing but insults. Now, what a change! As many as 100 adults gathered at night for the Rosary and instruction; and the children are brought here to Mass on Sundays.

On the Feast of Our Lady of Carmel I said Mass there for the first time and we had 68 Holy Communions; 30 were First Communions. Mr. Marinque intends to convert the whole house into a chapel, and build a second storey as living quarters for the young ladies. It is splendid work, and already they are- haying a

18 The Legion of Mary

class in the' Placita de la Caballeria,' one of the toughest spots in the city! "

" How may the Legion of Mary be started and carried on in a parish 100% coloured people" ? was the enquiry sent on April 26th, 1933, by the parish priest of St Mark's, Grenada, West Indies, to the Legion Head­quarters. The handbook of the Legion as well as the C.T.S. pamphlet on the Legion were sent. The inevit­able happened. In the first two months of the Legion's active service three marriages were set right: 30 First Communicants were brought in: several lapsed were brought back. Two years later the parish priest wrote: " The Legion is the' pupilla Oculi' of St Mark's P.P. The Easter Communions this year showed an increase of over 50%-Deo Gratias. In spite of difficuities, the Legionaries continue to do great good: lapsed Catholics brought back, 49; careless brought to Communion, 41 ; Converts received into the Church, 9; marriages put right, 10; visits to sick in town and country, 980; Rosary and instruction taught, 220."

From other parts of the West Indies remarkable reports have come in showing that Mary, through her Legion, is in the forefront of spreading the Kingdom of God on earth.

A Parish Priest of Madras, India, supplies us with new wonders of the Legion's activity in the East:~

" I am in charge of a parish of 2,000 Catholics out of a total population of 50,000 people, with one solitary Catholic church as compared with six Protestant churches, four mosques, and thirty-five Hindoo temples.

When it was proposed to me to found ~ Praesidium, I accepted the proposal with enthusiasm. The Legion

Examples of Legionary Activity 19

was born, lives and conquers. In the short time that I have the Legion, more than 20 illegitimate unions have been set right; 65 people persuaded to make their Easter Duty after years and years of neglect; more than 40 children have been withdrawn from non­Catholic schools. Moreover daily Mass is now attended by large numbers, the Holy Table is frequented daily by about 150 souls, the confession;:tl is crowded. The Legion works among Pagans and Protestants. I have been able to baptize children, men, and women, entire families who have been brought into the Church by these women, animated with a burning zeal, who go into . every house in the name of the parish priest. Women who have the courage to do this, who go into hospitals and prisons, and even into leper hospitals, who succeed in convincing and converting, do they not remind us of those other women mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, whom St Paul praises in his Epistles? "

It may be mentioned that the Legion now exists widely over India.

From Nigeria, in Africa, we see what native Praesidia are doing for God through His Blessed Mother. Rt. Rev. Mgr. J. Moynagh, Prefect Apostolic of Calabar, writes:

" The work is eminently suited to our Catechists, as the active side of it is exactly the kind of work they are expected to do in any case, e.g., Catechism teaching, visiting the sick, baptising in necessity, instructing the weak, going after the lapsed, and ever watching, of course, to draw the pagans to the Church."

On the 7th September, 1933, as Father Moynagh he founded the Legion at Ifntio, Ikot Ekpene. It is

20 The Legion of Mary

composed of men. In his Vicariate now, many new Praesidia have been established. On the 30th July, 1936, Mgr. Moynagh wrote: "We have the Legion prayers translated into the vernacular. In two centres we hold periodic meetings for the auxiliaries, and they are taught the Legion prayers in the native dialect." The work accomplished by the active members he relates: 30 persons brought back to the sacraments; 4 conversions; 11 marriages set right; 3 boys prepared for First Communion; 2 boys transferred to Catholic schools; 7 pagans induced to attend church."

The President writes: "Most of us are simple folk, and many amongst us cannot read the handbook, nor the prayers. However, the spirit and obligations of the Legion are explained to us by the President in our own language. Surrounded by heathens we sometimes have a fight to retain our Faith in the midst of difficul­ties. Yet we are still Legionaries of Mary-with all our imperfections-and our onward march is not arrested.' ,

In many parts of Nigeria the Legion works. So that Father T. G. Murray writes on 11th February, 1935: " The Legion is laying a true and solid foundation for the Church in Sapele and in Nigeria. I am only sorry that it was not begun sooner."

The Legion of Mary is firmly established in South Africa. In Johannesburg a Praesidium of men was established on 12th December, 1933, by Father Peron, O.M.l. Soon three others were formed. He gives the half-yearly report for January, 1936: "26 persons returned to Mass and the Sacraments; 4 con­verts received into the Church and 4 others under

Examples of Legionary ACtivity 21

instruction; 8 children transferred to Catholic schools; 5 marriages set right."

I could multiply by hundreds from every part of the world the reports of the wonderful things the men and women of the Legion of Mary are doing for the salvation of souls and the good of the Church. Every Praesidium in the British Isles can show perhaps more astounding results than the ones quoted from far-off lands. Every Praesidium after a year or two of exist­ence can furnish similar results to the ones above quoted. They are not peculiar to local circumstances; they are the daily life of the Legion of Mary. For, in any parish in any country the Legion is a perpetual mission signalised by miracles of grace.

ECCLESIASTICAL APPROVAL No spiritual organisation or Religious Body can

function in the Church unless it be approved by Ecclesi­astical Authority. It will never spread and become world-wide unless the blessing of the Vicar of Christ, the Holy Father, rests on it. With the utmost filial obedience and love, the President of the Legion of Mary hastened to Rome. At the teet of the Holy Father, in private audience, he knelt and told him the whole nature of the Legion Apostolate. It was the consummation of hope, the fulfilment of joy, when the Holy Father gave his Apostolic Blessing to the Legion and expressed a fervent prayer that it spread all over the world.

Innumerable bishops have already urged their clergy to form Praesidia in every parish. Inside one week, recently, four archbishops in widely different parts of the world expressed such a desire.

22 The Legion 0 fM ary

Two utterances of Apostolic Delegates on the subject of the Legion are profoundly impressive by reason alike of the sentiments expressed and the immense dignity of their office. It may be explained that an Apostolic Delegate is the personal representative of His Holiness the Pope to the Hierarchy of a country.

The Apostolic Delegate to South Africa, Most Rev. Archbishop Gijlswijk, O.P., said:

"The Legion of Mary clearly aims at going to the very core of Catholic Action. It's ultimate goal is the salvation of souls. By bringing people back to the Creator the Legion is performing a splendid work, the very nature of which will ensure success. The Legion is assisting the priests of God's Church and is, therefore, performing a most meritorious work which will be blessed by God. I will not forget what I have seen of the Legion-it is a great and good movement. I shall urge other bishops in various parts of the country to establish Praesidia."

Still more recently, the Apostolic Delegate to Mission­ary Africa, the Most Rev. Archbishop Riberi, has said that the Legion is the ideal form of Catholic Action, clear, definite, " decked out in most alluring colours; throbbing with life so that it wins all to it." He says that he looks to the Legion to make the native popula­tion of Africa apostolic-minded, and he has requested the Concilium to send representatives to his vast territory, declaring that he will co-operate with them to plant the Legion in every part of it.

Additional Aids to Legionary Holiness 23

ADDITIONAL AIDS TO LEGIONARY HOLINESS Although it is the special duty of every Legionary

to copy the virtues of the Blessed Mother: and to steep himself or herself in Blessed Grignion de Montfort's wonderful treatises, "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin," and "The Secret of Mary," yet everything conducive to a greater union with God is sought after by the Legion. Daily Holy Mass and Daily Holy Communion are ideals every Legionary, when possible, should realise. Enrolment in the Miraculous Medal, and association in the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, are duties urged on each Legionary. In no way does the Legion of Mary militate against any Legionary being a fervent member of any Sodality; rather the Legion intensifies their devotion to their Sodality, and consistently encourages the Legionary to seek new Sodality members.

THE LEGION CAN BE IN EVERY PARISH There is not · a parish in the whole Catholic Church

where there is not need for the apostolate of the Legion of Mary. In every parish there are potential Legionaries working in offices, shops, mills, factories, or in the home-if only they be sought for. Even four people are enough to start a Praesidium. There are men and women in every parish aching to live an apostolic life, to do things to spread the Kingdom of Jesus on earth. In every parish, no matter how fervent and strong in the Faith the people be, there is need for the Legion of Mary. Every priest knows what problems he has to face in the modern world. Every priest must realise he cannot successfully attack these problems

24 The Legion of Mary

alone. He must have the help of the . laity. If he refuses, he is only hindering the work of Our Divine Lord: he is refusing to listen to the voice of the Holy Father for intensive "Catholic Action" amongst the laity. Even in the smallest parish the Legion of Mary will find an apostolate. Many highly successful " Praesidia" exist in places with populations of less than 500 souls.

What a wonderful force for spiritual conquests for Jesus Christ the priest has with the Legion of Mary! It is as if the Blessed Mother herself was pointing out to him what she wishes-she who is called "The Mother of Priests." A body of men and women, or 'both, devout Catholics, who are ready to do any kind of spiritual work at his wish is surely a gift from Heaven that ought not to be despised. Only work he wishes will be done. The Legion of Mary works in absolute obedience to the will of the priest in its apostolate. What the priest wishes for the good of souls, Mary wishes, and her wish is a command to every Legionary.

THE LEGION THE HANDMAID OF THE MISSIONARY

" Go, preach the Gospel to every creature" was the Divine command of Jesus Christ. The Church has ever been true to that apostolate. Perhaps never more so than in our times, under the leadership of Pope Pius XI, " the Pope of the Missions."

Only in the mobilisation of vast numbers of the native Christians themselves does any prospect lie of the complete conversion of the pagan world to God. It is only in proportion as apostolic mechanism is set up

The Legion the Handmaid of the Missionary 25

and worked by the missionary that he will possess the power to reach the teeming pagan multitudes around him. By direct action he can only achieve comparative success. He may make a goodly number of converts, but the Gospel will never be preached to every creature, still less will every creature be won to the Faith.

A Praesidium means ten to twenty new soldiers of the Faith in action. Each Legionary is of the people, living their lives, attuned to their minds, and hence able to influence them towards the Faith in a way to which the foreign missionary would seldom attain.

Praesidia could be multiplied so that the priest would be organising the efforts of a great number of apostolic workers. He would play in all but supreme functions a part analogous to the bishop. Then the bishop would find himself in possession of an innumer­able and irresistible hierarchy of workers for the Faith, through whom he would for the first time be able to preach the Gospel to every creature in his territory.

The introduction of the Legion means the application of two great forces to the work of the missions. (a) the principle of methodical organisation, which is always attended by increase in interest and power. (b) that most potent element, the Mother-influence of Mary, which is attracted in full by the Marian system of the Legion, and is lavished on souls through the medium of its intensive apostolate.

In earlier ages whole peoples were rapidly converted and St Cyril did not hesitate to declare at the Council of Ephesus that it was by Mary they all were won to Christ. Moreover, the great patron of the missions, St Francis Xavier, gave it as his own experience that

26 The Legion of Mary .

whenever he omitted to place at the foot of the Cross the figure of the Divine Mother, those countries . re­volted against the Gospel he had brought to them .

. The days of St Cyril in the. mission fields of the world can return through the Legion of Mary.

Hear what the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Moynagh, Prefect Apostolic of Calabar, has said of the Legion apostolate in his wide African territory:-

"The Legion of Mary is the best thing yet. Out here the Legion is doin~ great work. One of the most noticeable results, and one which is often overlooked because of the more striking external work, is the wonderful effect of the Legion in the souls of those who share in it. I can only explain it by saying that they get the Catholic spirit."

THE AcrES OF THE LEGION

As the Legion is wrapt up in devotion to Mary, every year an Individual and Collective Consecration of Legionaries takes place. The day is usually the 25th. March. This consecration is called the" Acies," mean­ing an army ranged in battle array. The Standard of the Legion is placed before a statue of the Blessed Mother. After devotions have been said, each Legionary in turn approaches, bows to the statue: then, placing the hand upon the staff of the Standard, recites aloud the Consecration: "I am all thine, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is thine." This phrase of Consecration, so dear to the Legion, expresses the idea. which should characterise the whole life of the Legionary_

An Appropriate Agent of Catholic Action 27

THE LEGION AN APPROPRIATE AGENT OF CATHOLIC ACTION

As the Legion aspires to play a special part in the field of Catholic Action, that is in the accomplishment of wide, or rather universal, good in the community, it is important to explain some points of Legionary outlook which have a vital bearing on tliat question.

(1). In the first place, the essential idea of the Legionary Apostolate is its desire to take into its sphere not merely the neglectful, not alone the Household of the Faith, not only the poor or the degraded, but all.

(2). Secondly, not a single one of those encountered in visitation should be left on the same level as when found. There is no one so good that he may not be brought a great deal nearer to God. Frequently will Legionaries find themselves approaching persons who are far holier than they, but even then it is not for them to doubt their capacity to do great good. They will impart new ideas, new devotions. They may enliven a routine. Certainly, they cannot fail to edify by their cheerful practice of the apostolic life; so, whether the Legionaries are dealing with the saint or the sinner, they are to proceed confident in the knowledge that they are not there in their own spiritual poverty but as the representatives of Mary's Legion, "united with their pastors and their bishops, with the Holy See and with Christ" (Pius XI).

(3). For entry to the ranks of the Legion, there shall be no social' or political or national or colour discrimination. Fitness for membership is to be the only test . Did Christian charity not demand this, Legionary policy would. The Legionary Apostolate

28 The Legion of Mary

will accomplish even more by indirect action (i.e ., as the leaven in the community) than directly by the actual 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 grade and section.

(4). Within its own ranks there must be an un­affected simplicity and sincere mutual charity amongst the members, all distinctions being non-existent except those which may arise from proficiency in the spirit and work of the Legion. If love is due to those least ones whom one sets out to serve, it is due in higher degree to one's brethren in organisation. The spirit of distinction is evidence not merely of an imperfect carrying out of membership, but 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 bum brightly and strongly on the domestic hearth of the Legion itself.

Charity practised in its ranks will soon be practised at large. Chasms bridged by membership are on the way to being bridged amongst men outside. But there is a consideration more potent than this. Of set purpose the Legion should aim to combat the divisions and the innumerable antagonisms of the world. This process must begin in the Legion's unit of organisation, the Praesidium itself. It would be sheer futility for the Legion to talk of bridging differences, if at the same time it were encouraging the spirit of division by specially catering for it in its own system.

An Appropriate Agent of Catholic Action 29

Already ample provision exists in the sphere of general organisation for the alleged needs of this grade or that section. So let the Legion think in terms of the unity and charity of the Mystical Body, and try to organise accordingly. When it has brought together, as fellow-members of the one Praesidium, persons whom the world was keeping apart, it has accomplished some­thing really great.

The contact of charity has been made, and out will go the sacred <;:ontagion which may seize on and kill the turbulence of the world.

(5). Towards other organisations the Legion must exhibit a spirit of readiness to give unstinted co­operation and assistance, desirous only that good may be done, by whomsoever it may be accomplished. The Legion must jealously guard itself against meriting even in the slightest degree the reproof of the Apostle: -" All seek the things that are their own; not the things that are Jesus Christ's" (Ep. to Phil. ii. 21).

But the Legion's attitude towards those other organisations must not be merely passively virtuous. It must be actively helpful. As a cardinal principle of its work, the Legion must seek to build up each and every society which is worthy of the name Catholic. Through its own zealous and highly disciplined member­ship, through the great numbers whom it visits in connection with its works, and especially through its. numerous Auxiliary members, the Legion is in a unique position for recruiting for, and strengthening, the Catholic associations around about it. Not all can be brought into the Legion's own ranks, for its requirements are far from easy, but almost everybody-indeed let us.

30 The Legion oj Mary

boldly ·· say everybody-should, through membership of a Catholic Society or association of some kind, be brought inside the maternal network ot the Catholic Church. In this manner will Catholic Action be made a real thing, a glorious thing, the safeguard of the individual and the maintenance of the Church.

(6). Finally, and indeed principally (having regard to the status of Catholic Action as the supplement of the Priestly Ministry), the Legion must manifest towards the Pastors of the Church unre~erved loyalty and loving obedience. Imitating her who is the" Hand­maid of the Lord" the Legion of Mary, under her patronage and guidance, aspires to the honour of being the handmaid of the Ministers of the Lord. I t regards as its function to aim at rendering all the ground into which the seed of the word of God is cast good ground, bearing fruit a hundredfold: here removing the. thorns and briers by exerting .its influence on worldly minds; there deepening the soil by strengthening . religious convictions and encouraging the weak and despairing, and lastly; softening the hard ground by its Christlike charity and. . the dew of prayer and self-sacrifice. The Legion while being a ' part of the flock itself aspires also to be the link between the shepherds and the flock facilitating the work of the pastors and enabling . them to be in constant personal touch with all the sheefl of the , flock; and on the other hand keeping the sheep always under the warm, benign influence of their pastors. Thus multiplying the priest: casting abr.oad his zeal, his personality, and his very ,words; representing him everywhere and to everyone: the Legion makes it possible to have renewed the literal fulfilment of Our

An Appropriate Agent oj Catholic Action 31

Divine Lord's words: "I am the good Shepherd, I know my sheep, and my sheep know Me," and those other words: "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd" (St John x, 14 and 16).

THE SPREAD OF THE LEGION IN THE WORLD L'Osservatore Romano, semi-official organ of the

Vatican, comments very beautifully on the remarkable growth of the Legion :-" With its Roman name, that of the armies which Imperial Rome was wont to send throughout the world to affect the conquest of terri­tories and peoples and bring them under her sway, the' Legion of Mary' is an association of Catholics who wage a sweet warfare. A Queen, more powerful than Rome, sends them forth on the conquest of souls; but this Queen is not content with sending her Legion­aries; she goes with them. Mary was present at the birth of the Legion. She is present at the wonderful expansion of the Legion in Ireland and England, in Europe and America, in Asia, Australia, and Africa. She is ever present at the bursting forth of the splendid fruit which the little shrub, born of a small seed, goes on producing in the bosom of the Church, as it ' grows 'into a 'mighty tree.' "

May one hope that the brief exposition which has been given of the outlook and the programme of action of this remarkable army of Mary will avail to interest many in it and likewise to induce all of those to under­take something in its service, for that service is the Cause of Mary.

32 The Legion of Mary

CONCLUSION In the mind of every true Catholic there is an unshak­

able belief in the power of the Blessed Mother of God. In the heart of every Catholic there is a wonderful love for her whom God called His Mother. Dark days lie ahead of the Church, days of awful battle against the powers of darkness and forces of evil in the world. The souls of men and women will be the object and the prize of the battle; immortal souls for which Jesus died in unutterable agony on the Cross. If only every priest with the care of souls had a " Praesidium " of the Legion of Mary, his parish would be a fortress, for the Blessed Mother of God would herself defend that parish. She overthrew the might of Hell-she conquered Anti-Christ by her Immaculate Conception and Divrne Maternity. Her eternal destiny is ever to be at war with Anti-Christ -and ever to triumph.

If further information is required write to :-The Secretary, The Legion of Mary, De Montfort House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin, Ireland, or-I7, Denbigh Street, London, S.W.I, England; or The Regina Coeli, 8, Park Circus Place, Glasgow, Scotland.

Published by the Catholic Truth Society, London.

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Printed in England. December, 1936

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