"I have no hands but yours......"
The apostles were sent out in pairs, so does the Legion send out its legionaries in pairs to be the hands and feet of Christ. The master and apprentice system has proved very successful. All work carried out is done in close union with Mary and guided by the Holy Spirit. Some of the works done by legionaries in parishes include:
- Visiting the sick in hospitals, nursing homes and special accommodation. Taking the Eucharist to the sick and housebound.
- Calling on the families of newly baptised children. Encouraging parents to bring their children to a better understanding of their Catholic faith.
- Catechism instruction for children attending government schools.
- Adult Faith formation and R.C.I.A.
- Parish census work
- Visitation of families in the parish on behalf of the Parish Priest. Distributing prayer cards, Rosaries and Mass times. Inviting lapsed Catholics back to the practice of their faith.
We pray before each task undertaken, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Mary, to give us the words that they would want us to say and to touch the hearts of those whom we visit.
Legionaries engage in the Works of Mercy, in particular the Spiritual Works of Mercy in response to Christ's exhortation in Matthew 25:34-46. Jesus insists upon the necessity of observing the first six corporal works of mercy on which we shall be judged.
The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy illustrate the ways to show charity toward others. These works express mercy and are thus expected to be performed by believers insofar as they are able, in accordance with the Beatitude "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). They are also required as a matter of obedience to the second of the two greatest commandments "You shall love your neighbor as yourself". (Matthew 22:25-30).
The Corporal Works of Mercy
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Shelter the homeless
- Visit the sick
- Visit the imprisoned
- Bury the dead
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
- Admonish the sinner
- Instruct the ignorant (this and the next work are extremely pertinent today, when so many people are confused about the Church's teaching on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, etc.)
- Counsel the doubtful
- Comfort the sorrowful
- Bear wrongs patiently
- Forgive all injuries
- Pray for the living and the dead
