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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 341

APPENDIX 2

EXTRACTS FROM THE DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION
ON THE CHURCH, LUMEN GENTIUM, OF THE
SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL
This Constitution should be read in its entirety. For this
promul ga tion opens up a deeper comprehension of the
Mystical Body of Christ and thereby offers a surer, grander life
to the Church. It is not a sub stitute for the Constitution itself
that some extracts are here given which specially concern the
essence of the Legion — Mary’s mother hood of the Mystical
Body. The Constitution exhibits her in a new setting. Mary is,
after Christ, the first and noblest member of the Mystical
Body. It is as an inseparable part of the Church that she must
be treated if the proper proportions of the total structure are
to be safeguarded.

Article 60. In the words of the apostle there is but one
mediator: “for there is but one God and one mediator of God
and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a
redemption for all.” (1 Tim 2:5-6) But Mary’s function as
mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique
mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the
Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men originates not in
any inner necessity but in the disposition of God. It flows
forth from the super abundance of the merits of Christ, rests on
his mediation, depends entirely on it and draws all its power
from it. It does not hinder in any way the immediate union of
the faithful with Christ but on the contrary fosters it.

Article 61. The predestination of the Blessed Virgin as
Mother of God was associated with the incarnation of the
divine word: in the designs of divine Providence she was the
gracious mother of the divine Redeemer here on earth, and
above all others and in a singular way the generous associate
and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought
forth, and nourished Christ, she presented him to the Father
in the temple, shared her Son’s suffer ings as he died on the
cross. Thus, in a wholly singular way she cooperated by her
obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the

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