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The Battle of This Life - Good vs. Evil, pick one. (hint: God's side will win)
Today I had the opportunity to catch up with the Junior Legion of Mary group that I had attended (and later acted as president of) for several years. I didn't want them to think that I had completely forgotten them, and today was their semi-annual pizza party, so I headed over there after work, and hung out for a little while. The pizza was (very) tasty, the desserts were (as always) excellent, the group was doing well (and growing), a quick game of tag afterwards was hot (and some kids are faster than I remember them). All-in-all it was a great evening, and it gave me the catalyst to make this post, which I have been meaning to make for a while.
As I said, I was a member of the Legion of Mary for several years while growing up. As a legion member, you meet once a week (the meeting involves praying the rosary, saying the tessera prayers, and reading out of the legion handbook). The Rosary is, well, the rosary (gets better the more you pray it, by the way), the tessera is a short pamphlet that has the prayers that legionaries say each day, and the hand-book is a (rather in-depth) book on many, many different Catholic devotions, practices, and more hands-on, out-in-the-world, work for Christ, His Church, and His Mother. The hand-book is not only a fantastic book about how to be a good member of the legion of Mary, but also a great book on how to be a great Catholic and disciple of Our Lord.
The Tessera, those prayers that legionaries say each day along with the Rosary, are also a fantastic set or prayers that any Catholic could pray (and get holier). Here I just include what is called the closing prayer, because that is what has been really jumping out at me lately, but the whole thing (found at above link) is absolutely gorgeous.
The Closing Prayer of the Legion of Mary Tessera (pray slowly, letting each word really sink in):
| V. Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces | R. Pray for us. |
| V. Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel | R. Pray for us. |
| V. All you heavenly Powers, Mary’s Legions of Angels | R. Pray for us. |
| V. Saint John the Baptist | R. Pray for us. |
| V. Saints Peter and Paul | R. Pray for us. |
Confer, O Lord, on us, who serve beneath the Standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in you, and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of you, and ever to see you and serve you in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion’s Pillar of Fire - to lead us forth united - to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love - to enlighten those who are in darkness and the shadow of death - to inflame those who are lukewarm - to bring life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over - our Legion may reassemble, without the loss of anyone, in the kingdom of your love and glory. Amen.
V. May the souls of our departed Legionaries and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. R. Amen
Awesome right! It hits like every big point of living the Christian life in such a short prayer. Fullness of faith, conquer the world, charity, service of neighbor, courage, glory, salvation. This is the battle of salvation folks! This is the fight that Christ is asking us to fight. This is the love that must absolutely light us on fire. This is the love that must urge us onward. Wow!
And with that, back to español...
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