Page 10 - 聖母軍團員手冊（英文版，2014年5月-2022年1月更新版）

Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 9

THE LEGION OF MARY

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 6:10)

“The Virgin’s name was Mary.” (Lk 1:27)
“The Legion of Mary! What a perfectly chosen name!” (Pope Pius XI)

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NAME AND ORIGIN

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics who,
with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful
leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces (who
is fair as the moon, bright as the sun, and — to Satan and his
legionaries — terrible as an army set in battle array), have
formed themselves into a Legion for service in the warfare
which is perpetually waged by the Church against the world
and its evil powers.
“The whole life of men, both individual and social, shows
itself to be a struggle, and a dramatic one, between good and
evil, between light and darkness.” (GS 13)
The legionaries hope to render themselves worthy of their
great heavenly Queen by their loyalty, their virtues, and their
courage. The Legion of Mary is therefore organised on the
model of an army, principally on that of the army of ancient
Rome, the terminology of which is adopted also. But the army
and the arms of legionaries of Mary are not of this world.
This army, now so considerable, had the most humble of
begin nings. It was not a thought-out organisation. It sprang
up spontane ously. There was no premeditation in regard to
rules and practices. A suggestion was simply thrown out. An
evening was fixed, and a little group came together, unaware
that they were to be the instru ments of most loving Providence.

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