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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 146

146 THE LEGION PICTURE CHAPTER 25
3. The legionary prayers are made visible. The invocation
and prayer of the Holy Spirit and the Rosary, which comprise
the opening prayers, are pictured by the Dove overshadowing
Mary, filling her with light and the fire of his love. In these
prayers the Legion honours the moment which is the centre-
point of all time. Mary’s consent to the Incarnation made her
alike Mother of God and Mother of Divine Grace; so her
legionary children bind themselves to her with her Rosary,
taking to heart the words of Bl. Pius IX: “I could conquer the
world if I had an army to say the Rosary.”
Again, there is allusion to Pentecost, where Mary was the
channel of that other outpouring of the Holy Spirit which
may be called the Confirmation of the Church. With visible
signs he promulgated the Church, filling it with the apostolic
fire which was to renew the face of the earth. “It was her most
powerful intercession that obtained for the new-born Church
that prodigious outpouring of the Spirit of the divine
redeemer” (MC 110). Without her, that fire would not be
enkindled in the hearts of men.

4. The Catena is represented, as to its name, by the chain-
border. Truly befitting the antiphon is the portrayal of Mary,
coming forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright
as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array. On her brow
she bears a brilliant star, to mark her who is the true Morning
Star, bathed from the first in the beams of redeeming grace
and heralding the dawn of salvation.
The Magnificat is represented by its opening verse, the ever-
present thought of Mary’s mind, appropriately set in letters of
fire above her head. The Magnificat sings of the triumph of
her humility. It is no less now than then the will of God to
depend upon the humble Virgin of Nazareth for his
conquests. By the agency of those united with her, he
continues to accomplish great things for his name.
The versicle and response are those of the Immaculate Con -
ception, a primary devotion of the Legion, which is expressed
in the crushing of the serpent. The words set in the border:* “I
will put enmity between you and the woman, and between
your offspring and hers; he will strike your head.” (Gen 3:15)
have the same reference. The picture shows this undying
warfare: Mary and the serpent; her children and the serpent’s