Page 321 - 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 316

316 GO PREACH THE GOSPEL CHAPTER 40
any thing. But let legionaries avail of those perfect opportun -
ities of approach. At those times, when normal barriers are
shaken, the spiritual words would be gratefully received and
could be made to develop fruitfully.
(e) A system of one-day retreats for people who are not
Catholics has been established in innumerable places. The
standard form would comprise: Mass, three lectures, question
session, lunch, tea, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and
sometimes a film with a spoken commentary. If a Religious
house can be secured it will provide the ideal atmosphere, and
will dispel misunderstandings and prejudices.
The procedure has been to fix a day, and then to print
invitation cards bearing on the back the time-table. Through
the legionaries of the district and all other possible channels,
these cards are brought to the notice of people who are not
Catholics and the idea of the retreat is explained to them.
There is a helpful psychology attach ing to the right use of
these cards. Therefore, at no stage are they to be distributed
indifferently in the fashion of advertising matter. Record
should be kept of those to whom they are issued, and there
should be a subsequent check-up on the disposal of the cards.
The card must only be given to persons who afford some
degree of hope that they will go on the retreat.
The taking of the card by the legionary represents the
acceptance of a commission to find someone willing to make
the retreat. Until this end is achieved, the card remains
accusing ly in one’s possession, the tangible reminder of an
unful filled commission.
It has been the custom that people who are not Catholic
would be accompanied by the Catholic friend who had been
instru mental in bringing him or her on the retreat. The
purpose of this is to make the people who are not Catholic at
home in the novel conditions, to deal with questions, and to
encourage recourse to the priest during the day. Silence is not
enforced. The retreats are open to both men and women.
They should keep to their own purpose. Converts and
neglect ful Catholics should not be brought on them.
The larger the number who are approached, the larger will
be the number on the retreat; and the larger the number on
the retreat the larger the number received into the Church.