Page 149 - 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 144

144 THE PATRONS OF THE LEGION CHAPTER 24
necessary. If he be not there to introduce Jesus and Mary,
perhaps they may not come upon the scene at all. Legionaries
must recognise this special place of St. John, and by their
faith in him enable him to pursue his mission. “If Jesus is
perpetually ‘he who comes’, likewise St. John is he who ever
precedes him, for the economy of the historical Incarnation
of Christ is continued in his Mystical Body.” (Daniélou.)
(e) The appropriate place for the invocation of St. John is in
the Concluding Prayers next after the angels. Those prayers
then picture the Legion in forward march, dominated by the
Holy Spirit manifesting himself through Our Lady as a Pillar
of Fire; supported by the Angelic Legion and its heads, St.
Michael and St. Gabriel, preceded by its scout or precursor, St.
John, as ever fulfilling his providential mission; then its
generals, Saints Peter and Paul.

(f) St. John the Baptist has two liturgical celebrations. That
of his nativity occurs on 24 June, and of his martyrdom on 29
August.
“I believe that the mystery of John is still being accomplished in
the world of today. Whoever is to believe in Christ Jesus, the spirit
and virtue of John must first come into his soul and prepare for the
Lord a perfect people, make straight the paths in the rough places of
his heart and smooth the ways. Up to this day the spirit and virtue of
John go before the coming of the Lord and Saviour. (Origen)

9. ST. PETER

“St. Peter, as prince of the apostles, is pre-eminently the
patron for an apostolic organisation. He was the first Pope,
but stands for all the illustrious line of Pontiffs, and for the
present Holy Father. In invoking St. Peter, we express once
again a Legion’s loyalty to Rome, the centre of our faith, the
source of authority, discipline, unity.” (Decision of the Legion
placing St. Peter’s name in the list of invocations.)
The feast of Saints Peter and Paul occurs on 29 June.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my
church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give
you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will
be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:18-19)