Page 66 - 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 65

CHAPTER 10 THE LEGION APOSTOLATE 65
Here the Legion can aid by making its programme one of
enter prise and effort and sacrifice, such as will help to capture
for the Church those two words “idealism” and “action,”
making them handmaids of the Church’s doctrine.
According to the saying of Lecky, the historian, the world is
ruled by its ideals. If this is so, those who create a higher ideal
thereby lift all mankind; it being understood, of course, that
the ideal is a practical one and that it is sufficiently in
evidence to constitute a headline. Possibly it may be
conceded that the ideals held up by the Legion conform to
both of these requirements.
An important feature of the Legion is that its work is graced
by many priestly and religious vocations among its members
and their children.
But the objection will be made that amid universal
selfishness, there are none who will assume the heavy burden
of Legion member ship. This reasoning is wrong. The many
who answer the call to trivial action will quickly fade away
and leave not a trace. The few who respond to the call to high
endeavour will persevere, and little by little their spirit will
communicate itself to the many.
A praesidium of the Legion can thus be a powerful means
of helping the priest to enlist gradually the co-operation of
the laity in the task of evangelising those committed to his
care. Just so, the hour and a half spent once a week at the
meeting, guiding, encouraging, spiritualising the members,
will enable him to be everywhere, to hear everything, to
influence everybody, to overcome all his physical limitations.
Indeed, it seems as if zeal could not be employed to better
purpose than in the directing of many praesidia.
Thus armed with his legionaries (in themselves such
another humble equipment as staff, scrip, sling, and pebbles,
yet because of Mary made the instruments of heaven), he can,
like another David, go forth with certainty of victory against
the most defiant Goliath of unbelief and sin.
“It is a moral force, not a material, which will vindicate your
profession and secure your triumph. It is not giants who do most.
How small was the Holy Land! Yet it subdued the world. How poor a
spot was Attica! Yet it has formed the intellect. Moses was one, Elias
was one, David was one, Paul was one, Athanasius was one, Leo was
one. Grace ever works by few; it is the keen vision, the intense
conviction, the indomitable resolve of the few, it is the blood of the