Page 50 - 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 49

CHAPTER 8 THE LEGIONARY AND THE EUCHARIST 49
all of those they meet and work for are lavished the infinite
treasures of redemption.
“Her motherhood is particularly noted and experienced by the
Christian people at the Sacred Banquet — the liturgical celebration of
the mystery of the Redemption — at which Christ, his true body born
of the Virgin Mary, becomes present.
The piety of the Christian people has always very rightly sensed a
profound link between devotion to the Blessed Virgin and worship of
the Eucharist: this is a fact that can be seen in the liturgy of both the
West and the East, in the traditions of the Religious Families, in the
modern movements of spirituality, including those for youth, and in
the pastoral practice of the Marian Shrines. Mary guides the faithful to
the Eucharist.” (RMat 44)

4. THE EUCHARIST OUR TREASURE
The Eucharist is the centre and source of grace: therefore, it
must be the very keystone of the legionary scheme. The most
ardent activity will accomplish nothing of value if it forgets
for a moment that its main object is to establish the reign of
the Eucharist in all hearts. For thereby is fulfilled the purpose
for which Jesus came into the world. That purpose was to
communicate himself to souls so that he might make them
one with him. The means of that communication is chiefly
the holy Eucharist. “I am the living bread that came down
from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my
flesh.” (Jn 6:51)
The Eucharist is the infinite good. For in that sacrament is
Jesus himself, as much present as he was in his home at
Nazareth or in the Upper Room at Jerusalem. The holy
Eucharist is no mere symbol of him, or instrument of his
power, but is Jesus Christ himself substantially. So that she,
who had conceived him and nurtured him, “found again in
the adorable host the blessed fruit of her womb, and renewed
in her life of union with his Sacramental presence the happy
days of Bethlehem and Nazareth.” (St. Peter Julian Eymard)
Many who think Jesus little better than an inspired man are
found to yield him reverence and imitation. If they thought
him to be more, they would render him more. What,
therefore, should proceed from the household of the faith?