Page 326 - 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 321

CHAPTER 40 GO PREACH THE GOSPEL 321
of infinite sweetness and patience; never one of mere
interroga tion; never one of rebuking neglect.
Rebuffs at first may be many, but these will be compensated
for by many immediate successes. The ordinary methods of
Legion visitation will be followed, the underlying idea being
the effort to establish relations of true friendship with the
persons visited. That gained, almost everything is gained.
Each individual case of resumption of the practice of
religion must be regarded as soldiers would view the capture
of a point of vantage in war, for each one will bring others. As
the captures grow in number, public opinion will begin to
suffer modification. All in the area are observing the
legionaries. All are talking, criticising, thinking; and hearts
that were chill begin to burn. Year will follow year, each with
its substantial list of captures. For many years the general
attitude of the populace towards religion will seem to be
unchanged. Then, just as a touch causes an ant-eaten fabric,
which looked sound, to fall suddenly into dust, some event
reveals that the hearts of the people have returned to God.

The result of effort. — Of a certain town, with a popula -
tion of 50,000, it could be said that hardly any were practising
their religion. This condition of neglect was complicated by
abnormalities of every kind. A priest could not pass through
many districts without insult. A praesidium was started in a
spirit of faith, and the apparently hopeless task of visitation
was embarked upon. All were surprised by an immediate flow
of results, increasing in number and in importance as the
legionaries gained numbers and experience. After three years
of unexpected success, the Church authorities were em -
boldened to call for a General Communion of men, and
ventured to hope for an attendance of 200. The actual
number that participated was 1,100, showing that the entire
popula tion had been stirred to its depths by the three years’
apostolate. Plainly, the end is already in sight, so that the next
generation in that town will be born into a changed order of
things. Holiness will reign where once the Mass had been
universally scorned and its ministers were derided. Other
places, similarly circumstanced, should seek a remedy in the
same way.