Chapter 6, article 4, titled " Intensity of effort in Mary's service"
A soldier in protecting the integrity of his country,puts in his best. So too, a legionary of Mary is to put in his best in our Lady's service. Our work in the apostolate of the Church is not easy i must confess, but it takes self-sacrifice and total dependence on our Lady to succeed. Just as the body needs air to survive, so too do the legionary need to depend on her to make meaningful success in our work. That is not a yardstick not to try our best in the service. Factly speaking, Mary our commander wishes to convert the world to Christ but she needs us to help her in doing so, hence our best is what should be the other of the day. Just as the teacher and the students cooperate to enhance success in impacting knowledge, so does this cooperation relates to Our Lady and the legionary. Let relaxation be far from our service because like Jesus said the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. When our Lady sees how we put in our best in her service, she will then complement our effort and together we shall record success. Meanwhile, in putting all our effort, the legionary shouldn't put into his mind when he records success that he was so powerful that conversion was made. That will amount to pride and as we know pride goes before a fall just like it happened to the devil. We are to know that our effort is just like planting the crop, while it is the part of the Holy Spirit to water that crop that we have planted to grow in the minds of our contact.
We are to put up the attitude of St Paul whenever we carry out our assignment, that 'it is no longer I that lives but it is now Christ that lives'. That way, claiming God's glory will not be our portion.
Legionaries must know that they do not work directly for result,but that they are only to make an effort and our Lady will make that little effort to be very mighty. This is not to say that the legionary is to do the work half-hazardly. No. He must try his best, no matter how small it may seem. Remember that it is in the measure that we work that we shall be rewarded.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Allocutio on Legionary service 2
Chapter 4, article 2, titled "Must be 'a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God...not conformed to this world."
The life of a legionary is that of a soldier who is ready at all time to meet the demands of his superior. This he can do well following some major christian principles.
The legionary must realize that the essence of Jesus accepting to come to our sinful world was because of the fact that he loved us so much that he chose to die on the cross like a thief for our redemption.
St. Paul teaches us in Roman 12:1-2, that we are to be a holy sacrifice and acceptable in God's sight and that we are not to be conformed to this world. It follows thus that we as legionaries must embrace these christian keynotes for it is only through it that we can raise our heads high as true soldiers in our Lady's army.
Remember that the battle we fight is against the world and its evil powers, so it is only proper that we do not behave like the world else we shall not be able to conquer the world. To behave like the world is to be a people of sin. We cannot be a people of sin and still proclaim that we are fighting the world of sin.It simply portrays pretense and lip service. It is like fighting against ourselves. No one derives pleasure in putting fire on the roof of his own house. That is what we do when we live in sin and belong to Our Lady's army.
As human beings that we are, we are bound to fall into sin but the Christians' reaction is to quickly go for confession so as to be in tune with God again.
The bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But by the blood of Christ that he shared, he has set us free so that we can easily fine tune our relationship with him when we make a sincere confession. Since Christ has done this sacrifice of his life for us ,is it not appropriate that we surrender ourselves wholly to his service? St. Teresa of Avila puts it in anther form when she says: "To receive so much and to repay so little: O! that is a martyrdom to which i succumb."
Take a look at the life that Mary lived. It was that of chastity and humility. As her soldiers, we are to imitate these virtues of hers which resembles the virtue of her son. In Jesus' infancy, it was Mary who taught him these virtues and he never for once derail from it in his adulthood. Mary is today yearning to teach us these are virtues of holiness and humility to aid us in our work of converting the world to her son.
Do not look at the race as a legionary as a difficult one, all you need do is to be focus on Jesus and imitate all his virtues particularly that of humility. This will surely prove difficult but we are to strife harder because it is our own way of saying 'thank you Jesus for dying fo my sin'.
We are to give everything to the task of converting the world. (Our time, money, talent, knowledge etcetera.)
If you play your part today by living a holy life, others will emulate you and eventually conversion in our contemporary society will record tremendous success.
The life of a legionary is that of a soldier who is ready at all time to meet the demands of his superior. This he can do well following some major christian principles.
The legionary must realize that the essence of Jesus accepting to come to our sinful world was because of the fact that he loved us so much that he chose to die on the cross like a thief for our redemption.
St. Paul teaches us in Roman 12:1-2, that we are to be a holy sacrifice and acceptable in God's sight and that we are not to be conformed to this world. It follows thus that we as legionaries must embrace these christian keynotes for it is only through it that we can raise our heads high as true soldiers in our Lady's army.
Remember that the battle we fight is against the world and its evil powers, so it is only proper that we do not behave like the world else we shall not be able to conquer the world. To behave like the world is to be a people of sin. We cannot be a people of sin and still proclaim that we are fighting the world of sin.It simply portrays pretense and lip service. It is like fighting against ourselves. No one derives pleasure in putting fire on the roof of his own house. That is what we do when we live in sin and belong to Our Lady's army.
As human beings that we are, we are bound to fall into sin but the Christians' reaction is to quickly go for confession so as to be in tune with God again.
The bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But by the blood of Christ that he shared, he has set us free so that we can easily fine tune our relationship with him when we make a sincere confession. Since Christ has done this sacrifice of his life for us ,is it not appropriate that we surrender ourselves wholly to his service? St. Teresa of Avila puts it in anther form when she says: "To receive so much and to repay so little: O! that is a martyrdom to which i succumb."
Take a look at the life that Mary lived. It was that of chastity and humility. As her soldiers, we are to imitate these virtues of hers which resembles the virtue of her son. In Jesus' infancy, it was Mary who taught him these virtues and he never for once derail from it in his adulthood. Mary is today yearning to teach us these are virtues of holiness and humility to aid us in our work of converting the world to her son.
Do not look at the race as a legionary as a difficult one, all you need do is to be focus on Jesus and imitate all his virtues particularly that of humility. This will surely prove difficult but we are to strife harder because it is our own way of saying 'thank you Jesus for dying fo my sin'.
We are to give everything to the task of converting the world. (Our time, money, talent, knowledge etcetera.)
If you play your part today by living a holy life, others will emulate you and eventually conversion in our contemporary society will record tremendous success.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Conference for Legion of Mary Officers Organized by Annunciata curia, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benin City, Nigeria held on 19th July, 2009.
Talk entitled ORDER OF THE PRAESIDIUM MEETING by bro. Ezekiel Murphy Ossai.
The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics who has formed themselves into a Legion for service in the warfare which is perpetually waged by the Church against the world and its evil power.
The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who: faithfully practice their religion; who are animated by the desire to fulfil their role in the Church's apostolate through membership of the legion; and who are prepared to fulfil each and every duty which active membership of the Legion involves
In the definition of who a legionary is, we see that the Legion set themselves for war against the whole world and the forces of evil. And so for an army to defeat their enemy they ought to be disciplined in all aspect; in other words we are gathered to discuss discipline: but like it is said, charity begins at home and so this discipline must begin in our various meeting and it must be uniform as specified by the Legion of Mary handbook.
The handbook tells us that duty means discipline, so that to be on duty is to be disciplined.
In studying this discipline associated in the meeting, we shall focus on the thing that forms the praesidium meeting.
THE OPENING The praesidium meeting normally begins with the invocation and prayers to the Holy Spirit and the five decades of the rosary. The prayer is to be said with all devotion and should not be said too fast or too slow. The leader of the prayer plays a major role in this aspect. He ought to dictate the pace of the prayer and motivate others to participate in the prayer.
Emphasis must all times be made by the praesidium for her members to always be at the opening of the meeting because any praesidium rosary missed will never be replaced.
Let it sink into our sub-conscious that the rosary we say at the meeting is for the Queen of the Legion and so we need to say it with respect and devotion.
THE SPIRITUAL
During this, no disturbance or distraction should be entertained by any person whatsoever.
The spiritual reading can be taken from any spiritual book but this is on rare occasion since most presidium do not have spiritual directors at their meetings; it is therefore advisable to base our readings from the legion handbook except when a handbook is unavailable, you can then lay your hands on the bible or any other catholic spiritual book/publication. Now in taking our readings from the handbook, we are to read it orderly i.e. from page 5 to 354. If par adventure, a feast day is to be celebrated, we can base our readings from that part of the handbook and in subsequent week; continue with our normal orderly reading.
THE MINUTES The record of the previous meeting is to be read at the meeting and the president/presiding officer to call for correction.
Since, the minutes is business like in nature, the secretary must take pain in preparing it and ensure that he/she reads it before the meeting proper. After correction, the minute is to be adopted and supported by two members. This follows the signing of the minutes by the president and secretary.
Mind you, the presiding officer and the secretary are not to be in the adoption process.
STANDING INSTRUCTION At the first meeting of every praesidium, the four basic rules should not only be read to members but it should also be explained to them for encouragement.
ROLL CALL AND EXPLANATION At meetings, it is the duty of the vice president to mark up attendance. We are not just to report absenteeism and excuses of members but also to furnish members of reasons, that is why the roll call goes with explanation.
RECRUITING NEW ACTIVE MEMBERS This work is for all legionaries, but the officers must continue to hammer this in the ears of the members for them to take this task seriously.
CORRESPONDENCE At this point, all letters or messages from anywhere are to be read and discussed. Also, any letter leaving the praesidium is to be first read in the meeting.
REPORT OF MEMBERS Another important activity in the praesidium is report of members. This is so, because the whole essence of the Legion of Mary is the performance of active work. This conforms to the teaching of St. James that faith without good work is useless. So, in furnishing the praesidium with reports, the legionary must try as much as possible to present the work in the praesidium exactly the way it was done.
At meetings, the president receives the report on behalf the praesidium. He/she must ensure that his/her emotion do not lead him/her to receiving whispered report (it should be said loud enough for everyone to hear). The president should discourage members concealing any part of the report since it is the report that connect the work with the praesidium
.
The president is to encourage members to improve on their good report and shone any
bad report. They should be room for comment after each report.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that it is also the duty of Our Lady under the auspices of the president to assign work at the meeting. He is not to assign petty jobs to himself or to his close friends.
ALLOCUTIO The allocutio is the explanation of the day’s spiritual reading and must not last longer than five or six minutes. You must note that in Roman days, the term allocutio refers to the Roman General’s address to his legion. The spiritual director, the president or any assigned member is to prepare the allocutio before the meeting; possibly, he can write down his allocutio for guide. Serious work should be put in preparing this allocutio because the faith of the legionaries depends on it. If the legionaries do not grow spiritually, it is because you as the president has been lukewarm or have failed in the preparation of the allocutio.
In view of proper preparation, presidents should equip themselves always by reading the bible, catholic literatures and even visiting the internet to read spiritual reflection.
Sometimes, officers take as much as thirty minutes in delivering allocutio. This might be as a result of their epileptic preparation or because they did not arm themselves with time. But sometimes, as a result of trying to teach rather than lecture, it can be permissible to cross to about ten minutes allocutio but we are to try to recover the added time in other activities
MEETING DURATION The praesidium meeting is to last for one and a half hour only. This time is so because the legion fathers have apportioned time in everything in the meeting. So, any praesidium that holds meeting more than this approved time is a sign that the praesidium is nearing to be split or that the activities are unnecessarily over done.
Punctuality plays a great role in the meeting duration. If members and officers come before the appointed time, then things like preparing the meeting environment and setting up the altar will not take part of the meeting time. The matter of punctuality applies to everything in the legion meeting. So, it is advised that a time piece be readily available to help. The bible teaches us in Isaiah 38:1 “…set your house in other…”.
It is only when we apply the principles of punctuality as the sole of business that we can succeed with meeting the demands of the legion constitution.
LEGION PRAYERS The legion prayer is to be regarded as invariable. In the legion of Mary, the prayer includes the invocation and prayers to the Holy Spirit, five decades of the rosary, the catena legionis and the legion concluding prayer. Anything outside this is invalid, as far as the legion is concerned. If par adventure, any other prayer that is not the legion prayer is to be said, we to remove the standard of the legion, i.e. the vexilium, from the altar to show that the meeting has ended.
RESPECT FOR THE MEETING Respect is the thing that connects the meeting with the members; this respect manifests itself in obedience, loyalty and humility. On no account must any officer or member receive calls when the meeting is in session.
ALTAR The altar remains a vital part of the meeting. It is actually the presence of Our
Lady and the Blessed Trinity, so proper care of the altar should be done with time.
From the altar, graces are derived since the altar is full of sacramental and is the presence of Our Lady who is the channel of Graces.
We are to care for the altar as we care for our own homes. A writer once wrote a book
on “journey around my home”. Take a journey around your praesidium altar materials
and from time to time see the ones that need replacement.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, chapter twenty of the handbook titled” The Legion System invariable”, tells us that the members are not at liberty to vary rules and practice as they choose. If we are not ready to choose every part of the legion system, it is better we leave the legion altogether. The legion handbook is aware that some people, who want to claim they know it all, will venture to use their wisdom to change the rules, which is why it states that such person shouldn’t venture setting up the legion at all.
Cardinal Newman also explains the fact that acceptance should be wholehearted and not half-hazard.
If we follow the system of the legion, we shall have no problem whatsoever and eventually raise the standards of this great society.
Thank you
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Important Date
July 16- Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
This day is associated to the celebration of the brown scapular of Our Lady that was given to St. Simon Stock. So, on a day like this, it is appropriate to reflect on the brown scapular.
Many of us put on the scapular without investiture by the priest. This is wrong. Before one starts putting on the scapular, he/she must first attend lectures on the scapular after which a ceremony in which the priest himself blesses the scapular and wears it on us for the first time. After this scapular gets bad, we can then dispose of it in the prescribed manner and buy another one. Afterward, take it to any available priest for blessing and you can wear it by yourself.
Of all the graces of wearing the scapular, the one that is sweetest is that anyone who dies wearing the scapular is sure to enjoy eternal salvation.
If you have not done your scapular investiture, it is better you meet your fellow legionary indicating your interest for proper processes to be followed.
Remember Our Lady insists thus "...With the Scapular and rosary, i will save the world"
This day is associated to the celebration of the brown scapular of Our Lady that was given to St. Simon Stock. So, on a day like this, it is appropriate to reflect on the brown scapular.
Many of us put on the scapular without investiture by the priest. This is wrong. Before one starts putting on the scapular, he/she must first attend lectures on the scapular after which a ceremony in which the priest himself blesses the scapular and wears it on us for the first time. After this scapular gets bad, we can then dispose of it in the prescribed manner and buy another one. Afterward, take it to any available priest for blessing and you can wear it by yourself.
Of all the graces of wearing the scapular, the one that is sweetest is that anyone who dies wearing the scapular is sure to enjoy eternal salvation.
If you have not done your scapular investiture, it is better you meet your fellow legionary indicating your interest for proper processes to be followed.
Remember Our Lady insists thus "...With the Scapular and rosary, i will save the world"
Friday, July 10, 2009
End of year party
Unity is one of the things that binds legionaries with their comrade all over the world. Such was the case when 3 praesidia (vessel of honour snr.,Queen of Confessors jnr. and vessel of honour jnr.) all from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benin City, Nigeria, came together to celebrate the end of year of 2008.
On that day, lot of activities ranging from drama, dancing, dinning and winning were among the things that added glamour to the celebration.
The legionaries from other praesidia as well as visitors were amazed at the show of event and wished that another celebration, be the very next day. The president of the host senior praesidium, bro. Anthony Okwuosa, thanked all that attended and wished that Our Lady continue to intercede for them.
This celebration took place some 7 months ago and legionaries still have these sweet moment at heart.
Reflection on The Prayers invariable
Chapter 23, page 135-136.
The prayers of the Legion of Mary is to be regarded as invariable. By invariable, we mean that the prayers is not expected to change. The prayers of the legion of Mary includes, prayer to the Holy Spirit followed by five decades of the rosary, Catena Legionis (otherwise known as the magnificat) and the Legion's concluding prayer. Any prayer outside this, is definitely not the Legion prayer and is not expected to be said while the legion meeting is in session.
Even at the invocation, we are not expected to include any local saints that is not a patron in the legion, either at the opening or concluding prayers.
This might sound harsh or strict as a rule in the Legion but please remember that the bulk of work of the legion is that of evangelism and about uniformity in the system. According to the handbook, it demands great sacrifice to follow this system. If par adventure, prayer for special intention is required for some of the praesidium members or any other intention, this can be said after the concluding prayer and as a matter of fact, to show that the meeting is over, the vexillum, that is the standard of the Legion, is to be removed from the altar before such prayer can be said.
You must note that the official prayer said at the legion meetings is always for the intention of Our Lady; then Our Lady who knows all our needs, will channel these our prayers to these areas.
Anyone who disobeys this rule, is only campaigning for dis uniformity in the legion system and such will surely be frowned at.
Play your part in the things that will bring about the oneness of Our Lady's army and the Legion's general will definitely reward you.
The prayers of the Legion of Mary is to be regarded as invariable. By invariable, we mean that the prayers is not expected to change. The prayers of the legion of Mary includes, prayer to the Holy Spirit followed by five decades of the rosary, Catena Legionis (otherwise known as the magnificat) and the Legion's concluding prayer. Any prayer outside this, is definitely not the Legion prayer and is not expected to be said while the legion meeting is in session.
Even at the invocation, we are not expected to include any local saints that is not a patron in the legion, either at the opening or concluding prayers.
This might sound harsh or strict as a rule in the Legion but please remember that the bulk of work of the legion is that of evangelism and about uniformity in the system. According to the handbook, it demands great sacrifice to follow this system. If par adventure, prayer for special intention is required for some of the praesidium members or any other intention, this can be said after the concluding prayer and as a matter of fact, to show that the meeting is over, the vexillum, that is the standard of the Legion, is to be removed from the altar before such prayer can be said.
You must note that the official prayer said at the legion meetings is always for the intention of Our Lady; then Our Lady who knows all our needs, will channel these our prayers to these areas.
Anyone who disobeys this rule, is only campaigning for dis uniformity in the legion system and such will surely be frowned at.
Play your part in the things that will bring about the oneness of Our Lady's army and the Legion's general will definitely reward you.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Rosary, our Weapon
Just like the Roman soldiers needed weapon to be able to fight and defeat their enemies, so too Legionaries of Mary needs weapon to fight their enemy, the devil. This weapon happen to be the rosary.
The rosary, we know was given by Mary our Mother to St. Dominic when the pagan world threatened to corrupt the entire society with their unbelieve in the early thirteenth century (1208-1214). At that time, the rosary was not exactly how we have it today, but as time went on it took the form that it is known today. Despite the metamorphosis, the intent of our Lady that we meditate on the life of our Lord Jesus is still the order of the day.
The rosary is not a charm as people have come to believe but it is a sacramental that leads us to God in prayer.
When Our Lady was given the rosary to St. Dominic, she left 15 promises for those that say the rosary meditating on the life of Jesus. Another day, I shall focus on the promises of Our Lady.
The rosary prayer is made up of two types of prayer, meditative prayer and vocal prayer. It is just like a human being that has both body and spirit and the two must be together for life to be. So too, the rosary prayer is only complete when we combine meditative (mental) prayer and vocal prayer. The mental part is when we meditate on the life of Jesus Christ (Joyful, Luminous,Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries) while the vocal part is when we say the prayers with our lips i.e. the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. If we say the rosary with our lips without meditation, the rosary is as good as not been said because the essence of saying the rosary is defeated. We are taught that prayer is the raising up of our mind and heart to God. When we say the rosary, our mind is to reach out to God in our meditation. We are to lock the doors of our mind in serious meditation on the life of Jesus. So, we are to dissuade our minds from every possible distractions.
One of the promises of Our Lady is that any one who says the rosary shall enjoy her protection. As legionaries, we need her protection to carry out the fight against the forces of evil. A legionary who does not say his rosary is like a soldier that takes a gun without bullet to the battle field. That legionary is only exposing himself to danger.
My dear soldiers, a legionary is to be ready 24 hours of the the day and so we are to continue with the fight of crushing the serpent's head by saying the rosary everyday.
The bible says in 1st Thessalonian 5 :17 " ...pray without ceasing... " , and so it is fitting that praying of the rosary is appropriate prayer for all Christians striving apostolic life.
Have you said your rosary today?
The rosary, we know was given by Mary our Mother to St. Dominic when the pagan world threatened to corrupt the entire society with their unbelieve in the early thirteenth century (1208-1214). At that time, the rosary was not exactly how we have it today, but as time went on it took the form that it is known today. Despite the metamorphosis, the intent of our Lady that we meditate on the life of our Lord Jesus is still the order of the day.
The rosary is not a charm as people have come to believe but it is a sacramental that leads us to God in prayer.
When Our Lady was given the rosary to St. Dominic, she left 15 promises for those that say the rosary meditating on the life of Jesus. Another day, I shall focus on the promises of Our Lady.
The rosary prayer is made up of two types of prayer, meditative prayer and vocal prayer. It is just like a human being that has both body and spirit and the two must be together for life to be. So too, the rosary prayer is only complete when we combine meditative (mental) prayer and vocal prayer. The mental part is when we meditate on the life of Jesus Christ (Joyful, Luminous,Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries) while the vocal part is when we say the prayers with our lips i.e. the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be. If we say the rosary with our lips without meditation, the rosary is as good as not been said because the essence of saying the rosary is defeated. We are taught that prayer is the raising up of our mind and heart to God. When we say the rosary, our mind is to reach out to God in our meditation. We are to lock the doors of our mind in serious meditation on the life of Jesus. So, we are to dissuade our minds from every possible distractions.
One of the promises of Our Lady is that any one who says the rosary shall enjoy her protection. As legionaries, we need her protection to carry out the fight against the forces of evil. A legionary who does not say his rosary is like a soldier that takes a gun without bullet to the battle field. That legionary is only exposing himself to danger.
My dear soldiers, a legionary is to be ready 24 hours of the the day and so we are to continue with the fight of crushing the serpent's head by saying the rosary everyday.
The bible says in 1st Thessalonian 5 :17 " ...pray without ceasing... " , and so it is fitting that praying of the rosary is appropriate prayer for all Christians striving apostolic life.
Have you said your rosary today?
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