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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 280

280 CARDINAL POINTS OF THE LEGION APOSTOLATE CHAPTER 39
acknowledgment and gratitude to her? So the answer is the
same as that already given: “You are to give her everything.”

Glorify the Lord with Mary. — Have her before the mind,
at least in some slight way, at all times. Unite the intention
and the will to hers in such fashion that every act done
during the day, every prayer you utter, is done with her. She
should be left out of nothing. Whether you pray to the
Father, or to the Son, or to the Holy Spirit, or to a saint, it is
always to be prayer in union with Mary. She repeats the words
with you. Her lips and your lips form the words together, and
in everything she has a part. Thus she is far more than at your
side. She is, as it were, in you; your life is you and she
together giving to God all you jointly have.
This all-embracing form of devotion to Mary acknowledges
handsomely the part she played and daily continues to play in
the workings out of salvation. Likewise, it is the easiest
devotion to her. It solves the doubts of those who say: “How
much?” and of those who fear lest giving to her is taking from
God. But even some Catholics may say: “It is extreme.” Yet
where does it offend against sweet reason? And wherein does it
deny his due to the Almighty? The latter fault is better laid to
those who say that they are jealous of the dignity of God, but
will not work the plan which he has made; who say they hold
the Scriptures as the sacred word of God, yet will not hear the
verses which sing that he hath done great things to Mary, and
that all generations shall call her blessed. (Lk 1:48-49)
To all these doubting ones it is best to speak in terms of this
rich and full devotion. But how indeed can legionaries talk in
any other terms of her? Minimising and reduction only leave
her a mystery. If Mary is a shadow or a sentimental notion,
then surely not the Catholics, but those who treat her lightly
are justified! And, on the other hand, the statement of the
fullness of her claims and of her essential place in Christian
life contains a challenge which cannot be ignored by any heart
in which grace has some dominion. Then calm examination of
the role of Mary will leave such people at her feet.
The purpose of the Legion is to mirror Mary. If true to this
ideal, the Legion will share her crowning gift to cast the light
into the hearts of those who are in the darkness of unbelief.