Page 74 - 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 73

CHAPTER 12 THE EXTERNAL AIMS OF THE LEGION 73
to generate in its members requires a worthy objective. Trivial
work will react unfavourably upon it, so that hearts that were
ready to spend themselves for souls, and to return love for the
Christ-Love, and effort and sacrifice for his labours and death,
end by settling down to pettiness and lukewarmness.
“Not so easily was I remade as made. He spoke and all things were
made. But while he made me simply and at once by a word, he has in
the remaking of me said many words, and worked wonders and
suffered much.” (St. Bernard)

2. THE REMOTER AND GREATER AIM — THE
LEAVEN IN THE COMMUNITY

Important, however, as may be the work in hand, the
Legion does not regard it as the ultimate or even as the chief
object of its members’ apostolate. Such work may employ
two, three, or many hours of the legionary’s week, whereas
the Legion looks beyond this to every hour of that week as
radiant from the apostolic fire which has been kindled at its
hearth. The system that imparts this quality of fire to souls
has put abroad a mighty force. The apostolic spirit enters in
only as master, dominates every thought, word, and action;
and in its external manifestations is not confined to set times
and places. The most diffident and otherwise least equipped
person becomes invested with a peculiar capacity to influence
others, so that whatever the surroundings, and even without
the pursuing of a conscious apostolate, sin and indifference
will end by bowing to a power greater than themselves.
Universal experience teaches this. Therefore, with the
satisfaction with which a general contemplates important
posts adequately held, does the Legion think of each home,
shop, factory, school, office, and every other place devoted to
purposes of work or recreation, in which a true legionary may
be set by circumstances. Even where scandal and irreligion are
at their worst, entrenched so to speak, the presence of this
other Tower of David will bar the way to further advance and
menace the evil. The corruption will never be acquiesced in;
efforts at remedy will be essayed; it will be a subject of sorrow,
of prayer; will be contended against determinedly, un remit -
tingly, and probably successfully in the end.