Page 139 - 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 137

CHAPTER 24 THE PATRONS OF THE LEGION 137
The Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin
Mary occurs on 19 March.
The memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, occurs on 1 May.

“We cannot dissociate the historical life of Jesus from his mystical
life continuing in the Church. It is not without reason that the Popes
have proclaimed St. Joseph protector of the Church. His task has
remained ever the same amid changing times and ways. As protector
of the Church of Christ, he does no less than carry on his earthly
mission. Since the days of Nazareth, God’s family has grown and
spread to the ends of the earth. Joseph’s heart has expanded to the
dimension of his new fatherhood, which prolongs and surpasses the
paternity promised by God to Abraham, the father of a myriad. God
does not vary in his dealings with us; there are no second thoughts,
no arbitrary changes to His plan. All is one, ordered, consistent and
continuous. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, is likewise foster-father
to the brethren of Jesus, that is, to all Christians through the ages.
Joseph, the spouse of Mary who brought forth Jesus, remains
mysteriously united to her while the mystical birth of the Church
proceeds in the world. Hence, the legionary of Mary who is working
to extend here below the Kingdom of God, that is the Church, rightly
claims the special protection of him who was the head of the new-
born Church, the Holy Family.” (Cardinal L. J. Suenens)

2. ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Designated in the Gospel as “the disciple whom Jesus
loved,” St. John appears therein as the model of devotion to
the Sacred Heart. Faithful to the end, he clung to that Heart
till he saw it stilled and pierced in death. Afterwards, he is
manifested as the model of devotion to the Immaculate Heart
of Mary. Pure as an angel himself, he took the place which
Jesus himself had filled, and he continued to render her the
love of a son till she too died.
But our Lord’s third word from the cross contained more
than a filial provision for his Blessed Mother. In St. John, our
Lord pointed out the human race, but above all those who
would by faith attach themselves to him. Thus was proclaimed
Mary’s motherhood of men — the many brethren of whom
Christ himself was the first born. St. John was the
representative of all these new children, the first to enter upon
the inheritance, a model to all who were to come after him,
and a saint to whom the Legion owes tenderest devotion.