# Legion of Mary Handbook Chapter 4: Legionary Service and the Joyful Mysteries
*2019-10-25*

> Bill Young reflects on the Legion of Mary’s call to disciplined service, reads the Gospel for the day, and leads the community in the prayers of the Joyful Mysteries.

## Legionary Service – the Roman Model

We begin with Chapter 4, number 1 of the Legion of Mary Handbook: Legionary Service.  St. Clement, a disciple of St. Peter and co‑worker of St. Paul, proposes that the Roman army be a model for the Church.  The Roman legion was renowned for loyalty, courage, discipline, endurance, and success.  Like the Roman soldiers, each Legionary must put on the whole armor of God, obey his superiors, and recognize that the great cannot exist without the small and vice‑versa.  The analogy of the human body illustrates this unity: the head is nothing without the feet, and the feet are nothing without the head.  Every member, no matter how humble, contributes to the mission of the Legion, which is to serve Mary and bring Christ’s glory to the world.

## Scripture Reflection

Today's Gospel reading is Luke 12:13‑21, prefaced by a passage from Romans 4:21‑23.  Paul reminds us that Abraham’s faith was credited to him because he trusted God’s promise even when the fulfillment seemed impossible.  Likewise, we are called to place our full confidence in God’s providence—whether concerning our financial needs, family decisions, or the ultimate promise of eternal life.  As St. Paul says, "by faith we are saved" (Eph 2:8‑9).  Our lives should be lived in gratitude, trusting that God will provide according to His perfect will.

## The Joyful Mysteries – Prayers

We then pray the Joyful Mysteries, beginning with the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

We continue with the Our Father and then a series of Hail Marys, each offered for a specific intention of the Joyful Mysteries:
• First Hail Mary – for love of neighbor and enemy.
• Second Hail Mary – for hope, especially for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life.
• Third Hail Mary – for peace in the world and in our own hearts.
• Fourth Hail Mary – for humility, recalling the Annunciation.
• Fifth Hail Mary – for love of neighbor, recalling the Visitation.
• Sixth Hail Mary – for peace, recalling the Birth of Jesus.
• Seventh Hail Mary – for obedience, recalling the Presentation in the Temple.
• Eighth Hail Mary – for joy, recalling the Finding of the Child in the Temple.

Each Hail Mary follows the traditional form: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

We conclude each set of mysteries with the Doxology: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.  And a final prayer for mercy: “Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead our souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Your mercy.”

*By imitating the disciplined unity of the Roman legion, each Legionary can faithfully serve Mary and bring Christ’s love to the world.*