Allocutio – August 2024

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this monthly meeting differs from the previous ones as there is no secretary. Therefore, each praesidium needs to take turn assisting in taking the minutes of the meeting. Perhaps, this is a good development, because as more members participate, there will eventually be brothers and sisters willing to take up the responsibility. Looking back, the Legion of Mary had to face various difficulties in the past few years; however, with a dedicated team of Curia and praesidia officers, many problems have been resolved.

Let us reflect on the communal life of the Legion of Mary. Our communal life is centered around prayer, and through prayer, we bring the love of the blessed Mother to those we encounter. The example of the blessed Virgin Mary is one of the complete openness to God’s plan. She treasured all things in her heart, pondering them repeatedly. This is not merely a way of living, it is also a total surrender to God, a manifestation of faith. Consider how the blessed Mother knew nothing of the future, yet she was willing to accept everything; because she believed in God’s plan, her desire was to fulfill God’s work. “I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.”

Therefore, Legionary work is not just about work, it is a service. It is the spirit of the Lord expanding the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for love, being nailed to the Cross. His total offering on the Cross was to enable us to attain a new life and share the joy of the Kingdom of God. The breakthrough in life becomes the power of our transformation. Hence, when we accept the assignment, which is accepting the tasks entrusted to us by the President, we should share the fire of love with every soul we encounter, viewing them through the eyes of our Lord Jesus. This is the spirit of our Legionary work. I believe that through faith, our Legion members will surely express the characteristics of our faith: love one another. I trust that in the near future, a secretary for the Regia will emerge under the intercession of Mary. Let us pray!

Spiritual Director
Fr. Francis Tam
18 August 2024