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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 54

54 THE LEGIONARY AND THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST CHAPTER 9
2. MARY AND THE MYSTICAL BODY
The various offices which Mary fulfilled, of nourishing,
tending, and loving the actual body of her Divine Son, are
still her offices in regard to each member of the Mystical
Body, the least brethren as well as the most honourable. So
that, when “the members may have the same care for one
another” (1 Cor 12:25), they do not act indepen dently of
Mary, even when, through thoughtlessness or ignorance, they
fail to recognise her presence. They but join their efforts to
Mary’s efforts. It is already her work, and she has been
exquisitely busied on it from the time of the Annunciation to
this very day. Hence it is that legionaries do not really bring
Mary to help them in their service of the other members of
the Mystical Body. She it is who summons them to assist her.
As it is her special and proper work, no one is able to take part
in it save by her gracious permission. Let those who attempt
to serve their neigh bour, and who yet narrow down the place
and privileges of Mary, give a thought to the logical con -
sequence of the doctrine of the Mystical Body. Still more, this
doctrine has its lesson for those who profess to receive the
scriptures, but who at the same time ignore or decry the
Mother of God. Let such persons recall that Christ loved his
Mother and was subject to her (Lk 2:51), and that his example
obliges the members of his Mystical Body. “Honour . . . your
mother.” (Ex 20:12) By divine command, they must render
her a filial love. All generations are bound to bless that
mother. (Lk 1:48)
As no one can even attempt the service of his neighbour
other than in the company of Mary, similarly no one can
discharge this duty worthily except by entering to some
degree into the intentions of Mary. It follows that the more
close the union with Mary, the more perfectly is fulfilled the
divine precept of loving God and serving one’s neighbour. (1
Jn 4:19-21)
The special function of legionaries in the Mystical Body is
to guide, console, and enlighten others. That function cannot
be adequately discharged without a realisation of the position
of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. The place and
privileges of the Church, its unity, authority, growth, suffer -
ings, miracles, triumphs, its conferring of grace and forgive -