Annunciation

In line with the aim of promoting the devotion to Our Lady, the KAPATID conducted a Triduum prayer from March 22 to 24, 2023 as a fitting preparation for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation. This is the third Triduum prayer project of the apostolic group following those held last year for the Solemnity of the Assumption and the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Compared to the previous year’s Triduum prayers which were pre-recorded at the Dominican Studentate Oratory, this year’s Triduum was conducted at the La Naval Side Altar of the Santo Domingo Church cum populo while being live-streamed. Together with the devotees, the members of KAPATID contemplated the mystery of the Annunciation in front of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Rosary La Naval de Manila. The prayer started at 5:20 PM, on the first two days, and at 4:20 PM, on the third day, which was earlier than usual because of the Via Crucis. The KAPATID organized this activity in collaboration with the members of the Ministry of Lectors and Commentators (MLC) of Santo Domingo Parish, who served as prayer leaders. In cooperation with the Dominican Student’s Media Centre (DSMC), this activity was also live streamed on the La Naval de Manila Facebook page to cater to devotees who cannot join physically. KAPATID hopes that through activities like this, people will strengthen their devotion to Our Lady, who played an important role for our salvation.

BR. MICHAEL SATRIA ABI DILEYON, OP

“Magandang umaga po sa lahat. Ako po ay si Ian Kenneth Seguis. Sa ngalan po ng mga kabataang kasapi ng Cluster 14 Buklodasal group, nagpapasalamat po kami, unang una sa Panginoong Diyos, sa BEC ng Santo Domingo (Parish) sa pagdala sa amin ng mga Dominican brothers. Dahil dito marami po kaming natutunan at lumalim ang aming pananampalataya sa Panginoong Diyos. Nagpapasalamat din po kami kay Ate Gemma (BEC Leader) dahil ginabayan niya kami at tinuruan kung paano magdasal. Sa uulitin po. Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po.”

Words of Thanks by Ian Kenneth Seguis during the Culminating Activity of the Catechesis for Children held last June 10, 2022 at Villa España II, Tatalon Quezon City

The Journey of an assistant spiritual director of Legion of Mary

"Everyone should have a genuine devotion to her [Blessed Virgin Mary] and entrust his life to her motherly care.” (Apostolicam Actuositaten, 4)

Last June 2022, I was appointed by my brothers to be one of the Assistant Spiritual Directors of the Legion of Mary. When I was informed about my appointment, I felt mixed emotions. I was grateful because my brothers trusted me and my capacity to guide them and the legionaries in the journey of deepening their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the same time, I was anxious because I did not know how to fulfill my duties and responsibilities as an assistant spiritual director. Nevertheless, I only thought of one thing that inspired me to go on, and that is “Mama Mary, tabangi ug giyahi ko.” (Mama Mary, help and guide me.)

As months passed by, I realized that being an assistant spiritual director to the legionaries was not an easy task. There were so many things that I had to bear in mind and put into practice in order to become a good and devoted assistant spiritual director to them—preparing the allocutio for every meeting, guiding them towards their spiritual growth by giving bite-sized catechesis, sharing some of my personal stories of faith, and many more.

However, on top of all those things, there is one that should always be present, and that is, living with a firm and sincere devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. A brother cannot be a good spiritual director of the Legion if he does not have the devotion characterized by firmness rooted in one’s heart. In fact, it is the first and the most important element that unites the Legion of Mary as one.

As St. John Paull II says to the Legion of Mary, “Your Legion forms a part of those movements that feel personally committed to the spread or the birth of that faith through the spread or the revival of the devotion to Mary.” The devotion should already be planted in one’s heart and mind so that it can be shared with others. Personally, I will not be able to guide my legionaries towards Jesus through Mary if I myself do not have the devotion to her since the beginning. How can I share something about devotion to them if I myself do not have one? St. Paul says, “For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not according to what one does not have.” (2 Cor. 8:12). My journey as an assistant spiritual director was like a roller-coaster ride, but despite the ups and downs, I owe it to the help and guidance of the Blessed Mother. It is because of my devotion to the Blessed Mother that I was able to fulfill my responsibilities as an assistant spiritual director. I entrusted my life to her motherly care, and despite all my uncertainties, she did not abandon me on the journey. She was right there, guiding me in every step I made an making me her instrument to lead her legionaries toward her beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Blessed and Grateful to Be a Legionary

MS. AESHA PAULA L. DEL ROSARIO (MEMBER, LEGION OF MARY MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PRAESIDIUM)

One of the most significant things I have learned as a member of the Legion of Mary is how to be close to God through our devotion to his Mother. I remember the time when I first entered the Mary Help of Christian praesidium. I have so many doubts about myself back then. I asked “Kaya ko ba ‘to? Makakayanan ko ba ‘to?” But then I realized, after several months of attending our weekly meeting as an active member of the praesidium, you just need to be committed to the organization to remove those doubts. Now, being devoted to praying the Rosary and the Catena Legionis every day, I believe I have become closer to God. I have also felt much love from my newfound brothers and sisters in the community. The Legion of Mary helped me grow into a woman of value and virtue. I became more courteous, brave, industrious, self-reliant, and purposeful in thought as well as in action. That is why I am thankful that face-to-face meetings are back after the pandemic. Because of our weekly meetings, we became more focused and productive There are also fewer distractions, and it is easier to encourage engagement. Face-to-face meetings help us to improve communication among the members. As we finish another formation year, we thank our spiritual directors, the Dominican brothers, for accompanying us. We also look forward to meeting our new spiritual directors for the coming year.