Page 270 - 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 265

CHAPTER 38 THE PATRICIANS 265
The chairperson should be tolerant in regard to isolated
irrelev ant contributions. The calling of a person to order
could have an intimi da ting effect on the whole assembly. But
if that irrelevancy leads others off the track, then the
chairperson must restore them to it.
Persons should rise to speak. Probably the contributions
would flow more freely if they remained seated. But this
would risk reducing the discussion to a disorderly exchange of
sentences amounting to a mere conversation.
Members are not limited to a single intervention. But a
person who has not spoken has a prior right to one who has
already spoken.
4. One hour after the beginning of the meeting the
discussion is suspended. Immediately before this point the
financial statement is given with a reminder that the secret
bag will circulate immedi ately after the Spiritual Director’s talk.

5. Then some light refreshment (for example, tea/coffee
and biscuits) is served. This is an essential feature of the
meeting and must not be left out. It fulfils many important
purposes: (a) the imparting of a helpful social aspect to the
Patricians; (b) the ex change of thoughts; (c) the loosening of
tongues; (d) the opportunity for apostolic contact.
It has been suggested that the refreshments be omitted but
that the interval be retained for the other purposes. In
practice it would not be easy to justify the interval without
the refreshments.
This interval is to last 15 minutes.

6. Then follows a talk of 15 minutes’ duration by the
Spiritual Director. Everything has worked towards this talk
and it will be listened to with a concentrated attention. It is a
vital ingredient, throwing into orderly, correct form the
subject-matter of the dis cussion, raising it to the highest
plane, and inspiring the members towards the greater love
and service of God.
It has been said: Why not put this talk at the end of the
meeting where it could take account of all that had been said?
The answer is that the talk is intended to form precious
material for further discussion. This it could not be if it were