An address delivered by the late Father Thomas O'Flynn, C.M.,
a former Spiritual Director of Concilium Legionis Mariae.
taken from Maria legionis September 1996
We know that one of the characteristics of the early Christian community was its evident spirit of unity. For the early Christians the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ was very much a living reality. This spirit of unity extended out from the local community and reached to other communities in far distant places. The Christians at Corinth or Philippi felt deep and prayerful concern at the sufferings and persecution of their brothers and
sisters in Rome or Marseilles. That concern was mutual and a source of constant support and inspiration. Christian consciousness saw the Mystical Body of Christ as a holy and mysterious organism that looked to the needs of its individual members as it did to those of the Body as a whole.It is against this backdrop of thought that I would like you today to think with me about the spirit of unity in the Legion and one of the principal means of preserving that spirit.
The Legion is a vast organisation of the Lay Apostolate that exists in practically every diocese in the Church. It is a community of believers within the Mystical Body, united under the special patronage of Mary, the Mother of God, and having, like all other societies of Religious or of the Lay Apostolate- its own particular objects and its own specific means of achieving those objects - all of which adds up to saying that it has its own particular spirit.
The Legion is indeed one in spirit. That unity is, of necessity externalized, lived and fostered by its system of government.
To treat of this principle of its unity at any length would take more time and more paper than is at our disposal. Let us be content then with looking at one essential element in the preservation of that unity. I refer to communication between the various councils. Now, if I dwell specifically on communication between the Concilium and the various councils directly affiliated to it, it is merely to give a pattern for the appropriate communication that should exist between councils in general.
First a brief word on the correspondents. The correspondents are the lifelines of the Legion. It would be difficult to over-estimate the importance or power for good of a really zealous and efficient correspondent. In large measure, the life of the Legion depends on Correspondents: They are the animators of The Legion apostolate and the guardians of its authentic Spirit. they are animators because they not only inspire and encourage new enterprises, but because they fortify and sustain effort in ground (perhaps many times tilled), but poor or unyielding.
They are the news media of Legion apostolic effort, new and old, to Concilium. Through their efforts that news is transmitted to legionaries in far distant places so that the activity of the entire body is kept before the eyes of the smallest praesidium in the most remote corner of the earth. The enthusiasm and effort of legionaries is nourished on the vision the correspondents provide and so the Legion grows.
Correspondents, too, must have the courage to restrain and advise against what is alien to the spirit of the Legion. As I have said the unity of the Legion in large measure depends upon them. This is, perhaps, the most trying aspect of their work. But all work of great moment has its reward. And in this case, the reward is that supreme reward the conquest of souls. It is scarcely necessary to add that anyone who is capable of undertaking this work should eagerly seize the opportunity of being an animator of the faith in the service of God and Mary.
If the correspondent is to do his work efficiently not only must the lines of communication be kept open, but the free flow of information must not be impeded at the source. Minutes and reports must be carefully prepared and punctually forwarded. We all know with what happiness we receive here monthly reports not only from the home country but from abroad and from the most distant parts of the world. Through this salutary sharing of apostolic experience we, like the early Christians, are one in thought, in purpose and in affection with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. We are encouraged by news of their enterprise and endeavour to emulate them while we in turn, to the utmost of our ability, share our experiences, and indeed our efforts, with them. Thus the organic unity of the Legion is preserved and the entire body grows in wisdom, knowledge and strength through the constant traffic in thought and activity passing through lines of communication that encircle the world. The main arteries of this communication are the correspondents.
Communication between the various local councils is no less important than that between Concilium and councils directly affiliated to it. For it is only through appropriate communication between all councils that the entire body can function and grow in strength.
It goes without saying that if correspondents are to do their work effectively, minutes and reports forwarded to them must be punctually and regularly transmitted and must be objective and complete in character. Objectivity demands an account of essentials: whether the meeting with its prayer system is faithfully preserved: whether the Handbook is studied; the Acies ceremony celebrated; what works are being undertaken and how closely they adhere to our priorities: conversion work, works of conservation.