I accompanied Fr Francis Choi, the Spiritual Director of Curia Mother of Joy (Junior), to attend the monthly meeting of the Curia. I felt that the youngsters liked the traditional Legion of Mary. Though there are items not included in the Legion Handbook and are only the habit or tradition of the Legion of Mary in Hong Kong, such as the yellow T-shirt, windbreaker, a moving and inspiring Chinese Legio Hymn….. please do not abandon them easily.
According to Handbook Chapter 33 (2) (b) and (c) —— “Performance of the Weekly Work Obligation”, the assigned work as said in the Handbook is the spirituality of the Legionary. Work needs to be assigned by the praesidium, not according to individual preference or choice. Followers of Christ had to learn from Mary and jointly proceed towards sanctification. Legion of Mary is an organization for spiritual formation. The way to sanctification should be surpassing oneself, not only actualizing oneself. We are to be the second Jesus Christ, following and resembling Jesus, and to continuously breakthrough ourselves. Do not contempt the traditional assignment of work. Sometimes, it seems that we are inadequate. In fact, it is more due to the resistance in our inner self. We must be persistent in the work that we do not like in order to breakthrough ourselves and reveal our potential capability. Just like nurturing children, we encourage them, but do not impose upon them with harshness. With time, you will notice that this can be achieved and realize the capability that we have not discovered before. This is growing up. With this basis, we can understand the reading from the Handbook today —— “the legionary must be trained to look through the mists of human sentiments, which obscure every work, for its true outline which is the supernatural. The more that work is like a cross, the more it is to be esteemed”. We need to treasure the assigned work, and love our members when we are nurturing them, but not spoiling them. We then can see the grace of the Lord that allows us to complete the work that we need to finish.
The gospel of the 33rd Sunday of the Ordinary time, Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple. Disciples asked, “What would be the signs? Why did it happen to us?” Jesus further said that nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and people will be betrayed by parents, brothers, relations and friends. Be rest assured that, the Gospel said the Lord will eventually protect you, “not a hair of your head will be lost”. Jesus allowed such things to happen, and let us learn in difficult situations, which are also opportunities for us to be witness —— to witness God’s love. We need to trust Mary, trust Jesus Christ, and continue to witness God’s graces. We shall never fail. May God bless you!
Spiritual Director
Fr. Timothy Wan
16 November 2025