Retreat!

Was at the Legion retreat over the weekend. I think it's the best I've attended so far. A million thanks to Paul, Robin and their praesidia for the love and care they put into organizing it. It was quite a unique one - most of the sessions were reflective and sharing (I realise I've grown much more comfortable in sharing sessions, which I used to detest in my fist few years). The most memorable I think were the time we spent looking into our brothers' and sisters' eyes at their souls and speaking to them through our eyes (had quite a few surprises there) and the session on weaknesses.

It was so nice to spend time with my dear Legion family, to learn from them, to be encouraged and affirmed by them and to let them know that I appreciate them.

I'm ready to live this year's mission in my Legionary service:
We are committed to growing in strength and Legion spirituality to inflame the hearts of Catholics on campus and to bring non-Catholics to Christ and His Church

THE LEGIONARY PROMISE

Most Holy Spirit, I, Dominic,
Desiring to be enrolled this day as a legionary of Mary,
Yet knowing that of myself I cannot render worthy service,
Do ask of you to come upon me and fill me with yourself,
So that my poor acts may be sustained by your power, and become an instrument of your mighty purposes.

But I know that you, who has come to regenerate the world in Jesus Christ,
Has not willed to do so except through Mary;
That without her we cannot know or love you;
That it is by her, and to whom she pleases, when she pleases, and in the quantity and manner she pleases,
That all your gifts and virtues and graces are administered;
And I realise that the secret of a perfect legionary service
Consists in a complete union with her who is so completely united to you.

So, taking in my hand the legionary Standard which seeks to set before our eyes these things,
I stand before you as her soldier and her child,
And I so declare my entire dependence on her.
She is the mother of my soul.
Her heart and mine are one,
And from that single heart she speaks again those words of old:
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord";
And once again you come by her to do great things.

Let your power overshadow me, and come into my soul with fire and love,
And make it one with Mary's love and Mary's will to save the world;
So that I may be pure in her who was made Immaculate by you;
So that Christ my Lord may likewise grow in me through you;
So that I with her, his Mother, may bring him to the world and to the souls who need him;
So that they and I, the battle won, may reign with her for ever in the glory of the Blessed Trinity.

Confident that you will so receive me - and use me - and turn my weakness into strength this day,
I take my place in the ranks of the Legion, and I venture to promise a faithful service.
I will submit fully to its discipline,
Which binds me to my comrades,
And shapes us to an army,
And keeps our line as on we march with Mary,
To work your will, to operate your miracles of grace,
Which will renew the face of the earth,
And establish your reign, Most Holy Spirit, over all.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.