Page 303 - 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 298

298 CARDINAL POINTS OF THE LEGION APOSTOLATE CHAPTER 39
Interest in the children provides opportunity for
conversation. Questions as to their religious knowledge and
reception of the sacraments may be asked, which at this early
stage might be resented by the elders if asked about
themselves; and through the children, efficacious lessons may
be addressed to the parents.
Departing, the way must be left open for another call. The
simple intimation that one has enjoyed the visit, and hopes
to see the family again, provides both a natural leavetaking
and an effective preparation for the return visit.

20. ATTITUDE IN AN INSTITUTION
Legionaries visiting an institution must remember that they
are there simply on tolerance, as much guests as if in a private
house. The officials there always look somewhat doubtfully
upon the charitable visitor who, coming in to visit the
patients, is apt to forget that deference is also due to the staff
and to rules and regulations. The legionary must never be
found wanting in this way. Visiting should never be done at
inconvenient hours, nor should medicine or other prohibited
articles be brought to the patients; nor should sides be taken
in any of the internal disputes of the place. Persons will
profess to be the victims of ill-treatment by the staff or by
other patients, but it is not the function of the legionaries to
redress these grievances, even if they really exist. They will, of
course, listen sympathetically to the woes narrated, and
endeavour to instil feelings of resignation, but ordinarily the
matter should finish there. Should strong feelings of
indignation be aroused in the legionary, it will serve as a
safety-valve to discuss the matter at the praesidium. The latter
will see the circumstances in full perspective and will counsel
appropriate action if desirable.

21. THE LEGIONARY MUST NOT SIT IN JUDGMENT
Not alone the legionary manner, but—still more important
— the legionary mind, must be stamped with this delicate
respect. It is inconsistent with the mission of the legionary for
him to sit in judgment on his neighbour, or to set up his own
standards of thought and conduct as standards which must be