If a praesidium of the Legion of Mary does not study the Handbook, it loses the spirit of Our Lady and a sense of reverence for her. The Blessed Virgin Mary is human, but not an ordinary human. The Ecumenical Council affirmed her unique position —second only to the Holy Trinity, surpassing the nine choirs of angels and all the saints — yet she remains human. The Holy Trinity exists as three distinct Persons, is proper to each Person, unified in substance, and equal in majesty. As the Apostles Creed proclaims, together, they are ‘worshiped and glorified’. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God and shares an abstruse relationship with the Holy Trinity. She was created by God, being His beloved daughter, and was the most perfect human being – the Mother of God the Son. In human nature, being the Mother of God the Son, the humanity of Jesus came from her who gave Him His human flesh, making Him truly man, establishing a blood relationship between the Mother and the Son. Jesus is ‘begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father’, and the Holy Spirit is the Spouse of Mary.
As members of the Legion of Mary, we must not focus solely on organizing activities which may lose sight of the most precious mission of the Legionary. Through Mary, we should become more devout Catholics. The path to holiness could be found in learning from the beloved Daughter of the Father, the Mother of God the Son, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The Legion of Mary Handbook contains profound spiritual teachings. The graces of the Holy Spirit are bestowed through Mary, who is Our Lady of the Mediatrix of All Graces. Today’s reading from the Handbook (Chapter 7 pg 44 “Mary’s relation to the Eternal Father”) serves as an encouragement to place Mary in her rightful position. As stated in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, Holy Mary is the Mother of God; so, let us allow her to guide us and do not be afraid. By wearing the scapular, carrying the rosary, and consecrating ourselves to her, we declare ourselves as people of God, embracing the dignity and distinctiveness that every Catholic should have.
Spiritual Director
Fr. Timothy Wan
15 June 2025