A simple and humble word of Mary when she received the message of the Lord through the Angel Gabriel. She is frightened but courageously answered the Lord to be His instrument for the coming of Christ, the Savior. Let it be the word of every individual who wants to become a member and part of the Legion of Mary of the Adorno Fathers Seminary.
In 2009, the community of the Adorno Fathers here in the Philippines through the guidance and inspiration of the former rector, Rev. Fr. Nestor Abog started a presidium of the Legion of Mary. It was composed of ten to twenty boys from the elementary level. One of its goals was to strengthen the faith and love of the children towards God, through Jesus and through Mary. Also, it could be the first step to discover their vocation to priesthood and religious life.
In the beginning of the school year 2012, Rev. Fr. Jason Caganap, the present rector of the seminary at the same time the Novice master gave the opportunity to his novices to guide and instruct the children in their different ministries. The three novices are assigned to three different ministries such as: the Adorno Children’s Choir, the Knights of the Altar or Altar Servers and the Legion of Mary. I was assigned to the Legion of Mary even though I was not a legion yet. It is quite difficult to handle a group without knowing their background, their vision and mission, and their practice especially in spiritual matter and prayer. I was nervous to be their guide and at the same time to be their inspiration to be a responsible member of the legion. Through prayers and reflection the members of the Legion of Mary, started and still progressing in adapting the spirituality of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the meditation on the Holy Rosary, the Tessera and the Holy Bible. There are also changes in the acceptance of the members in the said presidium. In the past years, only male children aged 8 – 12 years old are accepted but now it was open to all youth aged 12 – 18 years old, both male and female. At first, the presidium created different activities to encourage the members and to enhance their knowledge and faith in God, especially through our Mother Mary. Here are the samples of our activities:
•Praying and Meditating the Holy Rosary (Tessera)
•Catechesis on the Church Teachings about the Blessed Virgin Mary=
•Gospel Reflection and Sharing
•Monthly Confession
Also, some members of the presidium are assigned to read the second reading during Sunday mass in the seminary. In the present time, the Adorno Fathers Presidium of the Our Lady of the Vocation has twenty members; five boys and eight girls from the neighboring secondary school, and seven seminarians.
Let it be the word that came out from the lips of every member of the Legion. Let it be the inspiration of every individual who want to serve God and neighbors, and follow the path of Christ. Let everyone answers Gods’ call through the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38).
Let us pray together with Mama Mary. My Lord and my God: into Your hands I abandon the past and the present and the future, what is small and what is great, what amounts to a little and what amounts to a lot, things temporal and things eternal. Amen.*
Our Lady of Vocation, Our Mother Mary, pray for us.