Saint John Paul II to the Legion of Mary

Saint Pope John Paul II had a strong devotion to Our Blessed Mother and understood well the Legion of Mary. On October 30, 1982, he spoke to a group of Italian legionaries. Here are some excerpts from his address. "Your proper vocation as lay people, that is to be a leaven in the People of God, a Christian inspiration in the modern world, and to bring the priest to the people, is eminently ecclesial." The Second Vatican Council exhorts all the laity to ... share in the same salvific mission of the Church, to be its living instruments, ... And the commitment of you legionaries becomes more urgent, considering on the one hand the needs of Italian society and of the nations of ancient Christian tradition, and on the other hand the shinning examples which have gone before you in your own movement. To give just some names: Edel Quinn, with her activity in Black Africa; Alfonso Lambe in the most emarginated areas of Latin America; and then the thousands of legionaries killed in Asia or ending up in work camps.   ... The Legion bases its method of spirituality and apostolate on the dynamic principal of union with Mary, on the truth of the intimate participation of the Virgin Mary in the plan of salvation." John Paul II's papal motto was "Totus Tuus". This is also our motto "I am all yours my Queen and my Mother. All that I have is yours." Saint John Paul II, pray for us.