“ON THE 7th of September, a hundred years ago, which was the eve of the feast of Our Lady’s Nativity, in Dublin, Ireland, several Catholics came together and set a simple altar. Kneeling down, they bent their heads and said the prayer of the Holy Spirit. And then through the fingers which had, during the day, been toilsomely employed, they fervently prayed the rosary and invocations. Then they sat up, and under the auspices of Mary, started to discuss how they could best help the people on earth to love God.” From this most humble of beginnings came the Legion of Mary, now a large Catholic lay association.
Founded in Ireland, the Legion of Mary spread abroad from Europe to Asia. Finally in 1948, with the approval of Bishop Enrico Valtorta, it was established in the Diocese of Hong Kong.
The name of the Legion of Mary expresses its characteristics. Its spirit is that of Mary herself, with Mary as the role model of its members. According to the group’s handbook, the word “Legion” does not refer to an army of the secular world, but rather, refers to the fact that members need to learn the spirit of the ancient Roman legions: “loyalty, courage, discipline, endurance, and success.”
Over the years, the legion has accompanied many Catholics in their faith journey. In numerous Church activities, it has formed the backbone of many Catholic associations. It has enabled many to lead a meaningful life of faith and to support each other at parishes or schools.
The most precious element of the Legion of Mary is its simple, steadfast adherence to two essential elements in Christian life: prayer and service, providing members with clear guidance for their journey of faith.
The legionaries hold weekly meetings during which they pray and practice devotion to Mary as a community. When difficulties or spiritual weaknesses are encountered, the community serves as support, enabling people to pray to God with strength and perseverance.
Members are called to engage in missionary, pastoral and formation undertakings, including practical tasks such as teaching catechism classes and Sunday school, promoting Catholic publications, visiting hospitals, homes for the elderly, and old people living alone, assisting the junior praesidia [youth group], and serving the disadvantaged and marginalised in society. The presence of members of the Legion can be easily seen during annual evangelisation activities such as the Lunar New Year Fair and the Hong Kong Book Fair, as well as some major diocesan activities such as the Mission Sunday.
Every legionary carries out their apostolic work in the spirit of faith in such a way that Jesus and Mary, his Mother, are seen in their witnessing.
It is within the spirituality of the Legion of Mary that its members walk towards the ultimate purpose: “the glory of God, the holiness of oneself, and the salvation of souls.”
This is also the spirit that the faithful of the diocese should share: that by modelling Mary, and living a life of prayer, faith, hope and love, we practice a mission of holiness and are willing to endure hardship to become leaven spreading the gospel in the community. SE
