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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 212

212 DUTIES OF OFFICES OF PRAESIDIA CHAPTER 34
injecting his own views. Of course he will interpose when his
counsel or knowledge is definitely called for. But he should do
this in a balanced way, not ‘blacking-out’ the President, not
swamping the meeting; and on the other hand intervening
enough to afford a model as to the extent and the manner in
which the members should interest themselves in cases not
their own.” (Bishop Helmsing.)
In case a praesidium undertakes the work of study, the
Spiritual Director will supervise the choice of books to be
read. He will exercise a vigilant censorship on this work, and
he shall allow no doctrines to be proposed to the members
but such as are in full accord with the authentic principles of
the Church.
Immediately after the recitation of the Catena, a short talk,
preferably by way of commentary on the handbook (see
section 11, The Allocutio, chapter 18, Order of the Praesidium
Meeting) should be given by the Spiritual Director. In the
event of his absence, this duty devolves upon the President.
Immediately after the conclusion of the final prayers of the
meeting, he shall impart his blessing to the members.
“Christ actually did appoint a Priesthood, which should not only
represent him and stand for him, but should in a certain sense be
Himself — that is to say, that he should exercise divine powers
through its agency. Therefore devotion and reverence towards the
priest is a direct homage to the Eternal Priest hood of which the
human minister is a partaker.” (Benson: Friend ship of Christ)
“The priest must be that husbandman who, at every hour of the
day, from dawn to dusk, goes out into the public places to call for
labourers in the Lord’s vineyard. Without that call of his, there is a
great risk that the majority will remain standing there ‘all the day
idle.’ (Mt 20:6)” (Civardi)

2. THE PRESIDENT
1. A principal duty of the President shall be to attend the
meet ings of the Curia to which the praesidium is attached,
and by this and by other means to keep the praesidium firmly
united with the main body of the Legion.

2. In the meetings of the praesidium, the President shall
occupy the chair and conduct the business. He shall allocate
the work and receive the members’ reports on their work. He
shall remember that he is there as the Legion’s trustee for the