Page 82 - 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 81

CHAPTER 13 MEMBERSHIP 81
7. Formal admission consists essentially in the Legionary
Promise, and the entry of the name of the candidate on the
membership roll of the praesidium. The wording of the
Legionary Promise is given in chapter 15. It is set out in a
form which will facilitate reading.
Mgr. Montini (later Pope Paul VI), writing on behalf of Pope
Pius XII, stated: “This Apostolic and Marian Promise has
strengthened the legionaries in their Christian warfare
throughout the world, especially those who are suffering
persecution for the faith.”
A commentary on the Promise, “The Theology of the
Apostolate,” has been written by Cardinal L. J. Suenens and
published in various languages. This invaluable work should
be in the hands of every legionary. Likewise it should be read
by every responsible Catholic, for it contains a remarkable
exposition of the principles which govern the Christian
apostolate.
(a) When the period of probation is judged to have been
satis factorily completed, the candidate is given at least a
week’s notice of reception. During that week the candidate
should seek to become familiar with the words and the ideas
of the Promise, so that at the actual reception it will be read
with facility, understanding and earnestness.
(b) Then at an ordinary meeting of the praesidium,
immedi ately after the recitation of the Catena, all the
members still remaining standing, the vexillum is moved near
to the candidate, who then takes in the left hand a copy of
the Promise and reads it aloud, supplying his own name in
the proper place. When beginning the reading of the third
paragraph of the Promise, the candidate places the right hand
upon the staff of the vexillum, and keeps it there till the
reading of the Promise is completed. After which, the blessing
of the priest (if he is present) is given to the new legionary.
The latter’s name is then entered on the membership roll.
(c) After this, the members resume their seats, the Allocutio
is given, and the meeting follows its ordinary course.
(d) If the vexillum is not yet in the possession of the
praesidium, the candidate should instead hold a pictorial
representation of it. The Tessera will serve.