Allocutio
Short reflections on the Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary. New posts every Wednesday and Saturday.
Mary, Mother of the Church
"Behold, your mother." (John 19:27) "They devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with... Mary the mother of Jesus." (Acts 1:14) Introduction One of the most tender moments in the…
The Immaculate Conception
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28) "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers." (Genesis 3:15) Introduction Among all the privileges that…
Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces
"Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5) "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28) Introduction Among the many beautiful titles the Church gives to Our Blessed Mother, one of the most…
Mary in Salvation History
"When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman." (Galatians 4:4) "All generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48) Introduction If we were asked to tell the story of…
God's Masterpiece
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully…
The Daily Hidden Apostolate
"When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." (Matthew 6:3) "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:4) Introduction When we hear the word…
What Makes a Great Legionary
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household?" (Matthew 24:45) "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23)…
Living for Souls
"The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10) "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few." (Matthew 9:37) Introduction If someone were to ask, "What is the value of one…
God's Glory Above Everything
"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) "My soul magnifies the Lord." (Luke 1:46) Introduction Every human being lives for…
Prayer Before Action
"Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) "He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12) Introduction One of the greatest temptations in…
God's Providence in Apostolic Work
"We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him." (Romans 8:28) "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain." (Psalm 127:1) Introduction One of the…
Hope Against Hope
"Hoping against hope, he believed, and thus became the father of many nations." (Romans 4:18) "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God." (Psalm 42:5)…
Never Accepting Defeat
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) "Take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Introduction There is one sentence in the Official…
Perseverance Until Death
"The one who perseveres to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:13) "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) Introduction Many people begin…
The Joy of Self-Denial
"If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25) Introduction Few…
Loving Without Counting the Cost
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) "Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8) Introduction One of the most beautiful…
Becoming a Living Sacrifice
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)…
Putting on the Armour of God
"Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11) "The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself." — Official Handbook of…
Trusting the Impossible to God
"For nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) Introduction There comes a point in every Christian's life…
The Legionary Ideal
"The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself… Inspired by this love and faith of Mary, her Legion essays any and every work and 'complains not of impossibility, because it conceives that…
Faith That Moves Mountains
"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the…
Courage in the Service of Christ
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) "In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome…
Obedience That Pleases God
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) Introduction There are few words that…
Humility: Mary's Greatest Ornament
"He has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant." (Luke 1:48) "Learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart." (Matthew 11:29) Introduction In every age, the world has admired…
The Spirit of Mary
"The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself." — Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) Introduction If someone…
Holiness Before Activity
"Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Introduction We live in an age that admires busyness. When we ask someone how they are…
The Object of the Legion
"The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members..." — Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and…
Mary: Queen of the Legion
"Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?" (Song of Songs 6:10) Introduction Every kingdom has its sovereign.…
Why the Legion is Called a Legion
"Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11) Introduction Names matter. Throughout Sacred Scripture, God often changed a…
The Birth of the Legion of Mary
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain." (Psalm 127:1) Introduction Every great work of God begins in a way that the world considers insignificant. The Kingdom of God…
Why God Calls Ordinary People
"God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27) There is a tendency in every generation to admire extraordinary people. We celebrate gifted speakers, accomplished…