The Legion of Mary and New Evangelisation

Oct 29, 2015

By Therese Heng
Seventy Legionaries from Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese attended a weekend Annual Retreat at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre. The theme of the Retreat was The Legion and New Evangelisation, conducted by a Franciscan Priest who was a Legionary before entering the seminary.

The Retreat Master, Fr Paul Cheong OFM Cap, recounted how his life had been enriched by praying the Rosary and doing apostolate work with the Legion members, and how that had eventually inspired him to the priesthood. Fr Cheong told the participants, “Legion of Mary is all about Evangelisation!”

He introduced the three-dimensional aspects namely: The Mystery of the Trinity – call to holiness; The Communion – call to community (sense of belonging) and The Mission – call to evangelisation. Fr Cheong said that the process of secularization poses a serious crisis in the society in which we live, namely the advance in science, migration and effects of globalization, loss of sacredness, loss of the sense of sin, etc. He also reminded the Legionaries that modern-day living had been characterized by negative emotions such as anxieties, resentment, greed, depression and the lack of inner peace, just to name a few.

He, therefore, challenged the Legionaries to evangelise with boldness, admonishing wrongdoings, while at the same time, assuring people of God’s love and mercy. The heart of our Christian message is God’s love, manifested in Jesus Christ. Legionaries are called to seek out the lost, as described in Luke Chapter 15 on the parables namely, the prodigal son, the lost coin and the lost sheep. Fr Cheong emphasized that Legionaries should have vitality and energy to evangelise and have a balance between prayer life and active apostolate work. He also made reference to the Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel where Pope Francis called upon baptised Catholics to boldly take the initiative to go out, to those who have left the Church and others who do not know Jesus.

He said Legionaries should cultivate a deep spirituality for which he strongly recommended following steps:

1. Non-negotiable Daily Prayer – 20-30 minutes of prayers each morning and evening. “Very early in the morning, Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a lonely place and prayed there.” (Mk 1:35).

2. Daily Bible Reading – feed and nourish themselves with the Word of God at least 15 minutes each day; learn more about the Catholic faith, about Jesus and His teaching, and the teachings of the Church; read religious books and magazines. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:10). “Whoever loves me will obey my teaching.” (Jn 14:23)

3. Fellowship – form a Christian community to meet and build relationships of love, care, sharing and support. “I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you… that everyone will recognise you my disciples.” (Jn 13:34-35)

4. Service – actively contribute towards the growth and renewal of the Church according to one’s gifts and talents. Service is love in action. “The Harvest is great, but the labourers are few.” ( Lk 10:2) “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.” (Mt 20:28)

5. Evangelise – lead people to grow and mature in Jesus and re-evangelise lapsed Catholics by witnessing one’s faith. The Capuchin priest also recommended contemplative prayer by way of the mantra, “Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.” He elaborated that, at this stage, one could experience God at the depth of one’s being and be able to ‘let go, let be and let God’.

“My soul cannot rest, until it rests in You.” (St Augustine)

The dynamic priest motivated the participants, telling them, “You are eagles, not chickens! Aim for higher values. You are consecrated men and women of God!”

He gave an overview of the ongoing stages of Christian development:

1. Conversion – Primary evangelization: eg. to bring non-believers to embrace the Catholic faith and to rekindle the faith of those who have lapsed;

2. Discipleship – Spiritual Formation: disciples need spiritual formation and training.

3. Missionary / Minister – Pastoral / Missionary Formation: a specific formation.

4. Formator / Trainer – Leadership Formation: Legionaries acquire knowledge and skills and, in turn, conduct leadership formations for others

Fr Cheong summed up the Legionary mission, which forms part of the Legion Concluding Prayer:

To kindle everywhere the fires of divine love; To enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death;

To inflame those who are lukewarm;

To bring back to life those who are dead in sin and which will guide our own feet into the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over - our Legion may reassemble without the loss of anyone…

The Annual Retreat culminated with the sharing by several participants on how each of them responded to the Call, as Legionaries, to serve Jesus through Mary. The sharing was a great source of encouragement to those present. Through Fr Cheong’s teaching, the Legionaries renewed their vigour and zeal in combating evil, as an army set in battle array.