Maria Legionis Puer NatusUnto us a Child Estis Born Nobis ISAIAH 9:6 Maria Legionis From the Editor The Voice of the Legion of Mary Edition 4 of 2020 G1.00 Dear Readers of Maria Legionis The picture on the front cover is the painting entitled ‘Nativity’ he year that is passing has implemented new and creative means and also known as ‘In the City of David.’ It was painted by the witnessed unprecedented of communication. Praesidium officers Argentinian artist Jorge Cocco Santangelo. T difficulties for the world at large especially continue to make regular with the advent of an unforeseen contact with praesidium members pandemic that has affected, in one to offer support and advice should From the Editor 3 degree or another, the lives of perhaps the need arise, while distribution of every person on earth. Certainly, in the Maria Legionis has been an ideal What are you doing for Christmas? – Fr. Philip Gaiya 4 this regard, the Legion has not been way of making contact with auxiliary immune. Every branch of the Legion members. Let us all pray together and Fr. Patrick Payton - The Rosary Priest – Michael Walsh 7 has had to adjust to the new realities of draw support from each other. Homily at Knock Shrine – Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam 11 coping with this silent enemy. Finally, the Editor and the Editorial Saint Jerome – Michael Walsh 14 Legionaries have shown responsibility Board of Maria Legionis wish you and given good example by all and your families a Peaceful and The Legion Correspondent – Aodán Ó Briain 17 cooperating with the authorities in a Happy Christmas and a New Year implementing the various measures filled with hope and promise. The Beauty of Mary – Fr. Pat Collins CM 20 that have been put in force from time- The Effective Legionary – Frank Holohan 26 to-time. May Jesus, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, bless, guide, and Explanation of Front and Back Covers – The Editor 30 We are a Legion Family and as a Family keep you all safe and protected. we must endeavour to assist each other A Hurt to the World – Frank Duff 31 in any and every way possible, whether The Editor, December 2020. Our Lady of the Spindle – Kathy Synnott 32 spiritually, emotionally or financially. Of necessity, weekly Legion meetings Praises of Mary – Compiled by Miriam Phelan 33 and work have had to be postponed. But despite this, all Legion bodies have World News – Compiled by Paddy Fay 34 Published by: Maria Legionis, Presentata House, 263 North Circular Road, Dublin 7, Ireland, Tel: + 353 1 8387770. Magazine enquiries - e-mail: [email protected] Annual Subscription, including postage, G8.00 per 4 copies. Design: MacArt, Dublin, Ireland, Tel: + 353 1 2852508. Email:[email protected] Print: FinePrint, Perigord House, Damastown Industrial Estate, Dublin, D15 W5YW, Ireland. Tel: (01) 860 1122 2 Maria Legionis The Voice of the Legion of Mary 3 Maria Legionis From the Editor The Voice of the Legion of Mary Edition 4 of 2020 G1.00 Dear Readers of Maria Legionis The picture on the front cover is the painting entitled ‘Nativity’ he year that is passing has implemented new and creative means and also known as ‘In the City of David.’ It was painted by the witnessed unprecedented of communication. Praesidium officers Argentinian artist Jorge Cocco Santangelo. T difficulties for the world at large especially continue to make regular with the advent of an unforeseen contact with praesidium members pandemic that has affected, in one to offer support and advice should From the Editor 3 degree or another, the lives of perhaps the need arise, while distribution of every person on earth. Certainly, in the Maria Legionis has been an ideal What are you doing for Christmas? – Fr. Philip Gaiya 4 this regard, the Legion has not been way of making contact with auxiliary immune. Every branch of the Legion members. Let us all pray together and Fr. Patrick Payton - The Rosary Priest – Michael Walsh 7 has had to adjust to the new realities of draw support from each other. Homily at Knock Shrine – Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam 11 coping with this silent enemy. Finally, the Editor and the Editorial Saint Jerome – Michael Walsh 14 Legionaries have shown responsibility Board of Maria Legionis wish you and given good example by all and your families a Peaceful and The Legion Correspondent – Aodán Ó Briain 17 cooperating with the authorities in a Happy Christmas and a New Year implementing the various measures filled with hope and promise. The Beauty of Mary – Fr. Pat Collins CM 20 that have been put in force from time- The Effective Legionary – Frank Holohan 26 to-time. May Jesus, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, bless, guide, and Explanation of Front and Back Covers – The Editor 30 We are a Legion Family and as a Family keep you all safe and protected. we must endeavour to assist each other A Hurt to the World – Frank Duff 31 in any and every way possible, whether The Editor, December 2020. Our Lady of the Spindle – Kathy Synnott 32 spiritually, emotionally or financially. Of necessity, weekly Legion meetings Praises of Mary – Compiled by Miriam Phelan 33 and work have had to be postponed. But despite this, all Legion bodies have World News – Compiled by Paddy Fay 34 Published by: Maria Legionis, Presentata House, 263 North Circular Road, Dublin 7, Ireland, Tel: + 353 1 8387770. Magazine enquiries - e-mail: [email protected] Annual Subscription, including postage, G8.00 per 4 copies. Design: MacArt, Dublin, Ireland, Tel: + 353 1 2852508. Email:[email protected] Print: FinePrint, Perigord House, Damastown Industrial Estate, Dublin, D15 W5YW, Ireland. Tel: (01) 860 1122 2 Maria Legionis The Voice of the Legion of Mary 3 WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR CHRISTMAS This particular passage is addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When asked all people. This message in this short by the angel to be the Mother of Jesus, What are you doing passage is of vital importance to us as Mary replied: “let it be done unto me we prepare for Christmas. If we allow according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38). for Christmas? this Word of Truth to penetrate our If we truly desire the Lord to enter our lives this Advent, we will know and lives, then we, like Mary, will wish to By Fr. Philip Gaiya, experience the salvation of God which conform our wills to God’s will. Spiritual Director, Kaduna Regia, Northern Nigeria. these words promise. [Reprinted from The Cross, Kaduna, with kind permission] John the Baptist is a good example In quoting the prophet Isaiah (40:3- of one who was a good steward of As we approach Christmas, most We are not just preparing to celebrate 5), John stressed that a way must be God’s grace. It is evident from John’s people’s expectations begin to rise. a past event, the birth of Jesus nearly prepared, that a straight path must be proclamation of the coming of the two thousand years ago; we are also made for the Lord. John expected that Messiah that he prayed and was Many begin to look forward more preparing to celebrate the coming what he said would be taken seriously attentive to God’s word. Only if he keenly to seeing and celebrating with of Jesus into our lives right now. The and acted upon. It was absolutely himself was prepared for the coming friends and family members. They Father wants Jesus to be born anew crucial that a way be prepared for the of the Messiah could he, in turn, anticipate catching up on news of all within each of us through the power Messiah. The path was not so much for prepare others. The Spirit’s revelation the benefit of the Messiah – so that the to John led him to cry out: “Behold, that has happened during the year. of the Holy Spirit. The message of John Their homes take on an air of joyful way would be easy for him; rather, it the Lamb of God, who takes away the the Baptist tells us how the birth of expectations as they await the delights was for us so that we can be ready to sins of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus can change our lives. of Christmas. The joy that fills the receive Him when He comes. hearts of younger children is beyond The gospels tell us that prior to Jesus’ telling as they await new gifts at this Public Ministry, John went about the Christmas is a time when we can be season. With all these expectations, region of Jordan “preaching a baptism open in a special way to the grace what are you doing for this great day? of repentance for the forgiveness of which God bountifully dispenses. As recipients of God’s generous gifts, we As the one who prepared the way for sins” (cf Luke 3:3; Matthew 3:3; Mark ought to foster an attitude which seeks God’s Kingdom, John the Baptist and 1:2-3). This baptism of repentance was to use His grace to glorify Him. We his message are very important for us, by way of preparation for the coming need to see ourselves as stewards or especially as we prepare this Advent of God’s Kingdom. John saw himself trustees of the Father’s grace. for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness; In our society today, taking a different Prepare the way of the Lord, (Isaiah 40:3-5) way like John is often frowned Make His paths straight upon.