Dear brothers and sisters, greetings from Rome! This January, it is not too cold in Rome, and there are not many people passing through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, so there’s no need to wait in line! This is because many pilgrims visited during the Christmas season. Rome is an amazing place, and in its midst lies a small country, the Vatican City. Though small, it contains the greatest grace given to mankind by God.
In the recently concluded “Synod of Bishops in the Catholic Church,” for the first time in its history, women and laity are granted the opportunity to actively participate and vote, signaling a transformative shift towards inclusivity and shared governance. The message is reaffirmed in the concluding document which underscores the need for enhanced dialogue within the church, and the strengthening of the roles of women and laity. This represents a pivotal step forward for the Church. Recently, Pope Francis appointed a nun as Prefect of the “Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life” which is also unprecedented. What does all this mean?
In the section chosen “the Legion Apostolate” from the handbook for this monthly meeting, a framework of how we should transform apostolic ideals into actions is mentioned through developing aligned initiatives, mobilizing collective efforts and committing to necessary sacrifices. This transformation cannot be achieved by individual members alone, it requires the collective effort of the entire community. The Legion of Mary has weathered a century of storms and still stands firm in the history of the Church, which undoubtedly attests to its value. Our emphasis on the apostolic mission, personal contact, and cooperation with parish priests is commendable! However, as the Church embarks on a path of renewal, the Legion of Mary must also keep pace with the developments of the Church (in the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese). This is not an easy task, but it is a necessary one.
The structure of the Legion of Mary consists of the praesidium, Curia, Comitium and the Regia. It is essential to emphasize trust and unity at each level, as well as foster collaboration between different levels. Understandably, each praesidium is composed of individuals with unique characteristics, forming distinct personalities; however, within the structure, we share the same spirit of the Legion of Mary and this spirituality unifies us. Thus, in our individual unique traits, we should embrace unity rather than create divisions. In an era that emphasizes individualization and the constant inflation of self-worth, we should unite as one group, sacrificing personal choices to fulfill the desires of the entire Legion of Mary in the Diocese, striving diligently, and turning ideals into reality. We should draw inspiration from the spirit of Pope Francis, striving to achieve the seemingly impossible and fostering new circumstances within established cultural frameworks. May the Lord be forever praised!
Spiritual Director
Fr. Francis Tam
19 January 2025