Page 15 - 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 14

14 LEGIONARY SERVICE CHAPTER 4
without the head. Even the smallest organs of our body are necessary
and valuable to the entire body. In fact all the parts work together in
an interdependence and yield a common obedience for the benefit of
the whole body.” (St. Clement, Pope and Martyr: Epistle to the
Corinthians (96 .A.D.), chapters 36 and 37)

2. Must be “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to
God . . . not conformed to this world.” (Rom 12:1-2)
From that foundation will spring in the faithful legionary,
virtues as far greater as his cause is superior, and in particular
a noble generosity which will echo that sentiment of St.
Teresa of Avila: “To receive so much and to repay so little: O!
that is a martyrdom to which I succumb.” Contemplating his
crucified Lord, who devoted to him his last sigh and the last
drop of his Blood, the legionary’s service must strive to reflect
such utter giving of self.
“What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done
in it?” (Is 5:4)

3. Must not turn from “toil and hardship.” (2 Cor 11:27)
There will ever be places where Catholic zeal must be
prepared to face the instruments of death or torture. Many
legionaries have thus triumphantly passed through the gates
of glory. Generally, however, legionary devotedness will have
a humbler stage, but still one giving ample opportunity for
the practice of a quiet but true heroism. The Legion
apostolate will involve the approaching of many who would
prefer to remain remote from good influences, and who will
manifest their distaste for receiving a visit from those whose
mission is good, not evil. These may all be won over, but not
without the exercise of a patient and brave spirit.
Sour looks, the sting of insult and rebuff, ridicule and adverse
criticism, weariness of body and spirit, pangs from failure and
from base ingratitude, the bitter cold and the blinding rain, dirt
and vermin and evil smells, dark passages and sordid
surroundings, the laying aside of pleasures, the taking on of the
anxieties which come in plenty with the work, the anguish
which the contemplation of irreligion and depravity brings to
the sensitive soul, sorrow from sorrows whole heartedly
shared—there is little glamour about these things, but if sweetly