Recently I have received views on the parish Legionaries from different parish priests. Though not naming, it is obvious that there is discord between works of the Legionaries and parish life, for example, parish and the Legion of Mary holding retreat on the same day; also, praesidia with only three to four members but unwilling to merge, resulting in additional manpower and resources required etc.
Hope everyone can understand that the existence of the Legion of Mary, especially the presence of the Legion of Mary in a parish, should be closely related to the parish. Legionaries have the obligation of assisting the parish pastoral work and directly serving the parish. It is at these times that Legionaries can attract parishioners to join us.
The affection among members is good and therefore they want to maintain certain members which, for the group, is most comfortable, but this deviates from the principle of the need for extension of the Legion of Mary. Please reflect: have we got new members in the past five years? If not, what is the problem? Not willing to increase the number? Legionary life no longer attracts members? The parish priest is not willing to cooperate, and why?
Trust that we need to re-think about the purpose and meaning of the existence of the Legion of Mary in the Church. Cardinal Chow has reminded us many times that the Legion of Mary should act in concert with the development and renewal of the Church. We need to keep up with time to face the established mode in life. We need to progress with society, especially now that the parish is short of manpower. Today’s world needs spiritual leaders; the Legion of Mary is, in fact, the best organization to assist. It would be a pity if the Legion of Mary cannot effectively carry out its function in the parish.
Hope we will duly re-think and reflect the special mission of the Legion of Mary in the parish, especially in extension work, and in parish services. How can we cooperate with the parish priests? How can the spirit of the Legion of Mary be more attractive to Catholics, for them to be willing to try getting to know the Legion of Mary? Let us encourage one another to excel in our praesidium life. Let us re-think the Legionary spirit conveyed in the Handbook.
Spiritual Director
Fr. Francis Tam
16 February 2025