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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 205

CHAPTER 33 BASIC DUTIES OF LEGIONARIES 205
conscience, retreats, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and special
devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, above all, of course, the
rosary.” (MD 186) “Nourishing the spiritual life of Christians, as
they do, they cause them to take part with great profit in all the
public functions, and prevent the liturgical prayers from
degenerating into an empty ceremony.” (ibid. 187)
Private spiritual reading, as well as developing Christian
con victions, greatly helps prayer-life. Preference is to be given
to the reading of the New Testament, with a suitable Catholic
commentary (cf DV 12) and spiritual classics, chosen
according to one’s needs and abilities. It is here that the
“wise” guide is especially important. Well-written lives of
saints provide a good introduction to the spiritual life. They
provide a headline which would draw us on to goodness and
heroism. Saints are the doctrines and practices of holiness
made visible. If we frequent their company, we will soon
imitate their qualities.
Every legionary should, if at all possible, make an enclosed
retreat once every year. The fruit of retreats and recollections
is a clearer vision of one’s vocation in life and a brighter
willingness to follow it faithfully.
(b) Mortification or self-denial
It means getting rid of self to allow Christ to live his life in
us and to share that life more fully. It is self-discipline in order
to love God and others for the sake of God. Its need arises
because by original sin our intellect is darkened, our will is
weakened and our passions incline us easily to sin.
The first requirement is the willing fulfilment of what the
Church lays down with regard to days and seasons of penance
and how they are to be observed. The Legion system, followed
properly, gives a valuable training in mortification.
After that comes the loving acceptance from God’s hands of
“the crosses, toils and disappointments of life.” Positively
there is the question of controlling our senses, especially with
regard to what we permit ourselves to look at, listen to or say.
All that helps to control the internal senses of memory and
imagination. Mortification also involves the overcoming of
laziness, moods and selfish attitudes. A mortified person will
be courteous and pleasant to those he lives close to at home
and at work. Personal apostolate, which is friend ship carried