Allocutio
Souls of Our Departed Legionaries Legion of Mary
Handbook, Pages 103-105, Chapter 17
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It would seem that no one in this life is guaranteed a holy death. No
guarantee that our passage from this world to the life of eternity will
be a tranquil transition not fraught with fear and worry. But as
Legionaries, we are never alone in our living or in our dying. On both
sides of eternity we are surrounded by the prayers, consolation, and
host of faithful brother and sister legionaries. When we are dying we
enjoy the endless intercession of brothers and sisters here in this
world and upon arriving to eternity, there too our brothers and sisters
who have gone before us await. They open wide their arms to welcome us
and celebrate the victory of another Legion member who has fought the
good fight. But our confidence in death as it is in life does not rest
solely upon being a member of a spiritual family, nor the prayers and
supplications of its members living and deceased. No. Our confidence
comes from being Legionaries of the Queen of Heaven and Earth, devoted
children of the Mother of God whose realm and reign extends over us no
matter where we are. With motherly care and concern she watches over us
and prepares us as we strive to be good and faithful children. With her
heavenly regal power and influence, she obtains all necessary graces
and blessings we need to fulfill our duties and gain salvation. How
then do we mourn the loss of our beloved brother and sister
Legionaries? With faith and confidence, and we attend to our dying
brothers and sisters, surrounding them with every prayer and hope. With
faith and confidence we mourn their passing from this life, thanking
God for them and expressing our every consolation to their families.
With unshakeable faith and certain hope in the love and mercy of our
Savior and his mother, we celebrate in joy the victory of our brother
or sister and the fulfillment that the Legion will reassemble without
the loss of anyone.
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