Page 196 - 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 191

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BASIC DUTIES OF LEGIONARIES

1. REGULAR AND PUNCTUAL ATTENDANCE AT THE
WEEKLY MEETINGS OF THE PRAESIDIUM
(See chapter 11, Scheme of the Legion)

(a) This duty is more difficult when one is tired than when
fresh; and in bad weather than in fine; and, generally, when
one is tempted to go elsewhere. Yet where is the test but in
the difficulty, and where the real merit but in the conquering
of difficulties?
(b) It is easier to see the value of doing a work than the
value of attendance at a meeting to report on that work, yet
the meeting is the prime duty. The meeting is to the work as
the root is to the flower; the latter will not live without the
former.
(c) Fidelity in attendance in the face of long travelling to
and fro is proof of a deep supernatural vision, for natural
reasoning suggests that the value of the meeting is out -
weighed by the waste of time involved in the travelling. But it
is not time wasted. It is a part, and a specially meritorious
part, of the whole work done. Was Mary’s long journey in the
Visitation a waste of time?

“To her other virtues St. Thérèse joined an unflinching courage. It
was always a principle with her that ‘we should go to the end of our
strength before we complain.’ How many times did she not assist at
Matins suffering from vertigo or violent headaches! ‘I am still able to
walk,’ she would say, ‘and so I ought to be at my post.’ Thanks to this
undaunted energy, she performed acts that were heroic.” (St. Thérèse
of Lisieux)

2. PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKLY WORK OBLIGATION
(a) This work should be “substantial,” that is, the legionary
should spend a couple of hours a week at it. But legionaries
should not thus mathematically restrict themselves. A large
proportion of legionaries far exceed that minimum, going on
to the gift of several days in the week. Many are found who
give every day. The work must represent some definite active
duty assigned by the praesi dium, not something dictated by

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