Handbook, Chapter 4 (4) – Must “live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.”
Legion of Mary is an entirety. It is an army, a community. It began when it should be, and continue when it is needed. We should not only focus on the praesidium itself. Let it elapse upon completion of its mission. Do not let members waste time over groups that have no chance for growth. The Allocutio of Fr. Cyril Cheung in April seems a bit callous and grim. What we need to reflect is whether we are looking at our own Legion community or seeing the Legion of Mary in its totality. It is worthy to reflect on the Allocutio last month, continue to ponder and digest, and let us be open and not narrow minded.
In the second paragraph of point 4 of today’s Handbook reading it says, “At the bottom of all really fruitful work must be the readiness to give oneself entirely. Without this readiness, one’s service has no substance.” Complete sacrifice is that we have to learn the spirit of sacrifice for justice and the spirit of redemption from Jesus. Very often people refer to Legion work as ‘service’ as if assignments will become more “superior”. Legionaries are not doing service, we are doing our ‘work’, which is assigned by the group. Two hours of work needs to be accomplished each week and it must be done. This is our responsibility and our duty. It is not optional.
The work that is said in the Handbook is the duty of each member. What can we get from this invitation? We can get the system of the Legion of Mary, the culture, the grace and the spirit for the development of our lives, with no regret, no selection, no complaint. Having faith, hope and love, as in the annunciation, the spirit to receive/accept like Mary. Irrespective of whether you are willing or not, like or dislike, suitable or not suitable, the gist is to learn the spirit of Mary, to put our own self down in all circumstances.
The society nowadays always asks for cost-effectiveness but in religion, we carry out the work although there are no result or no benefits. Do not use materialization or quantification to judge, for example, priests will conduct mass, Eucharistic adoration, hear confession, etc. although not many people attend, they have to carry out their duty with loyalty. We should not change due to worldly preferences, we had to avoid secular spirit.
Hence, spiritual directors and Legionaries alike, should put the Legion of Mary as first priority, allow each week’s work assignments transform us. If work, study, examination take a higher priority than Legion of Mary, no transformation can be done.
Spiritual Director
Fr. Timothy Wan
17 May 2026