Page 308 - 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 303

CHAPTER 39 CARDINAL POINTS OF THE LEGION APOSTOLATE 303
standards be without the Legion altogether? Again, what are
the spiritual levels of the community which cannot produce
the few worthy workers required to make a good praesidium?
Plainly, the logic is that those spiritual levels must be raised
at all costs. The best, in fact the only, means of doing this lies
in the infusion of an apostolic leaven which will work in the
population until the whole be leavened. (Mt 13:33) Therefore,
the apostolic material available must be cultivated with
invincible patience and sweet ness. Ordinary Catholic spirit
itself is a thing of slow growth. Why, therefore, expect the
apostolic spirit to be an instantaneous product? If heart be
lost, the only remedy is gone.

27. NO SEEKING OF SELF
The Legion shall not permit itself to be made an instrument
for the personal material benefit of any of its members. But,
indeed, no legionary should have to be admonished against
the unworthy exploitation, either inside or outside the
Legion, of his membership.

28. NO PRESENTATIONS TO MEMBERS
The giving of money or equivalent presentations by
branches of the Legion to their members is prohibited. The
number of such presentations, if tolerated, would tend to be
large and to constitute a financial burden. This must be
guarded against, especially in view of the great number of
persons of small means whom the Legion is happy to have in
membership.
Therefore, if praesidia or other legionary bodies want to
signalise some special event in the life of a member, let them
do it by present ing a spiritual bouquet.

29. NO DISTINCTIONS IN THE LEGION
Generally, the Legion is opposed to the formation of
praesidia whose membership is restricted to a particular class
or section of the community. Some reasons are:— (a) Too
often restrictive will mean exclusive, with consequent injury
to fraternity; (b) The best method of recruitment is normally
that by the members amongst their friends, and these might