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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 148

148 THE TESSERA CHAPTER 26
“In the Old Testament we read that the Lord conducted his people
from Egypt to the land of promise, ‘by day in a pillar of cloud and by
night in a pillar of fire.’ (Ex 13:21) This stupendous pillar, at one time
of cloud and at another of fire, was a figure of Mary and of the
various offices which she performs on our behalf.” (St. Alphonsus
Liguori)
* “Inimicitias ponam inter te et mulierem et semen tuum et semen
illius; ipsum conteret caput tuum”. (Gen 3:15)
† “Mulier, ecce filius tuus: . . . Ecce mater tua.” (Jn 19:26-27)
‡ “Beata quae credidit.” (Lk 1:45)

26

THE TESSERA

A leaflet called the Tessera, containing the Prayers of the
Legion and bearing a reproduction of the Legion Picture, shall
be issued to every member, active and auxiliary.
In Latin, Tessera had the particular meaning of a tally or
token which was divided among friends in order that they or
their descen dants might always recognise each other. As a
military expression, it signified the square tablet upon which
the watchword was written and circulated through the
Roman Legion.
The Legion of Mary applies the word Tessera to the leaflet
containing its prayers and picture. Here, too, are contained
the ideas of (a) universal circulation in the Legion; (b) the
setting out of the true watchword of the Legion — its prayers;
and (c) a token of unity and fraternity between all legionaries,
wherever found. Incidentally this same idea of universality
applies to the dozen other Latin terms used to designate
features of the system. These so aid intercom mun i cation as to
be quite indispensable. The objection that they con stitute a
foreign element in the Legion is inadmissible. They have so
taken root as now to be legionary words. It would do grave
injustice to the Legion to strip it of such useful and distinctive
plumage.