Legion of Mary Celebrates 30 Years
The CTK chapter of the Legion of Mary (LOM) celebrated its 30 years with an inspirational talk by Fr. Bong Lo, followed by fellowship and a hearty lunch last March 26. Some CTK oldtimers may recall that in March 1989, the First Legion of Mary praesidium was established in Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows under Msgr. Jaime Mora by Priscilla Pacheco with the praesidium name of ‘Mary Queen of Peace, with only four members. Just a year later, that praesidium gave birth to a second, the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Mary Queen of Peace praesidium is currently headed by Carol de Jesus.
At the Divine Mercy Chapel, Fr. Bong confessed having known a number of LOM members in the early 80s while he was a Bacolod seminarian. He still remembered that LOM did house-to-house visitations, or ‘Dalaw Tahanan’. He started his talk by saying that LOM was one of the most persecuted groups in Shanghai because it was considered a highly influential ‘army of Mary’.
He then went on to quote Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17, ‘Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.’ Christian life is a battle, explained Fr. Bong; it’s certainly not a walk in the park.
The uniform of the Roman infantry at the time became the basis of the description, as follows: loins girt with truth (belt), breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (sandals), shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit or word of God. Fr. Bong emphasized that being truthful (belt) should not mean being tactless. ‘Veritas in caritate’, he reminded everyone, meaing, ‘truth in love’. He advised that we should speak the truth in love and clarity, to say it at the right time, in the right place, and to the right people. On the topic of righteousness (breastplate), he said we should always do the right thing, but never be self-righteous. As for feet shod in sandals of peace, Fr. Bong quoted Romans 10:14-15, ‘Blessed are the feet of those who bring glad tidings.’ ‘Peace,’ he said, ‘is the presence of Christ. Without God in our lives, there is only boredom and insecurity. And as for the ‘sword of the spirit’, he reminded the audience that ‘man does not live by bread alone but by the Word of God.’
The Recollection was timed perfectly by Fr. Bong Lo to Kinish at 11:15 which he followed with a Eucharistic celebration from 11:15 am to 12 noon.
The Legion of Mary officers led by Carol de Jesus then invited everyone to the lunch at the Luke Room. Taking care of the food was LOM past president Priscilla Pacheco who had put out the best spread of the Aristocrat restaurant for its members and the Parish Pastoral Officers who attended.
Carol expressed her appreciation for the Parish Pastoral officers who came in full force. ‘You made our anniversary meaningful because you found time to join us in spite of your busy schedules in this 30th year of the Legion of Mary. It’s so important to us that you understood the work we’re doing for Mama Mary and for our community’, she expressed.
