THE IMPACTS OF IMPERIALISM ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCINCES

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

TOPIC:

THE IMPACTS OF IMPERIALISM ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

AN ASSIGNMENT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE, PHILOSOPHY OF DEVELOPMENT

BY

ODO, SOLOMON ANETOCHUKWU (2013/188496)

LECTURER: REV. FR. DR NNAMDI NWANKWO

Introduction:

          Africa as a matter of fact was colonized by Britain, Portugal, France and Germany. By extension, this so-called colonialism graduates to imperialism, in the sense that even as African states were declared independent, they were independent just only in speech and in writing but in actuality, they were in no way independent; their major economic and political decisions and policies are foreign motivated.

          Colonialism and imperialism reshaped and restructured African system of life, destroyed African core value system and introduced many positive as well as negative things into the lives of African man. Many authors have argued that the sole aim of the advent of the European into Africa was exploitation while others maintained that Europeans entered African in order to civilize and develop Africa.

          Human development as that which is holistic in approach and that which considers the sanctity and sacredness of human life needs a special place in the discourse of European imperialism in Africa. This is because talking about development without human being is like performing a drama in a stage without any audience watching you. Without audience, who are you presenting drama for? Similarly, without human being, who are the roads being constructed for? Who are the money being made for? So, any development that its end product is not for the progress, promotion and preservation of human life is incomplete or rather questionable.

Clarification of concepts

          Some concepts need to be defined before I continue my discussion, examples of such concepts are imperialism and human development.

Imperialism

          According to Walter Rodney, imperialism meant capitalist expansion. It meant that European (and North American and Japanese) capitalists were forced by the internal logic of their competitive system to seek abroad in less developed countries opportunities to control raw material supplies, to find markets and to find profitable fields of investment,¹ It is the policy of forcefully extending a nation’s authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations.

          Imperialism is essentially an economic phenomenon, and it does not necessarily lead to direct political control or colonization,² While colonialism is the exercise of alien political power over a conquered territory, imperialism is a system of indirect control that continues even after the independence of African states. While colonialism involves imperialism, imperialism is an indirect form of colonialism.

          Imperialism is essentially about the establishment of dominion or rule, usually, but not necessarily by an alien power over peoples of another state, for the purposes of expanding the commerce and other economic interests of the imperial power; for the promotion of its political and strategic interests; or sometimes solely for the sake of prestige. Imperialism is thus generally exploitative and aggressive. In a nutshell, imperialism is the exercise of power by a state beyond its borders.

Human development

          Development cannot be limited to mere economic growth. In order to be authentic, it must be complete: integral, that is, it has to promote the good of every man and of the whole man,³ This shows that human development makes man the center of every other development, that is, before considering other developments, human being should take primacy. The basic talk about human development is that it is a process of enlarging the range of people’s choices, increasing their opportunities for education, health care, income and employment, and covering the full range of human choices from a sound physical environment to economic and political freedom,⁴ Human development is concerned at once with developing human capacities and with using them productively. The three major points for human development index as indicated by 1990 Human Development Report are life expectancy, educational attainment and income indicators.

          Any economic development that does not pay attention to human development will be a sheer propaganda. Human development is person-and -community-centered. Human development therefore encompasses all processes involves in developing, promoting and preserving human life. Sustainable human development is integral and pays attention to the various facts of human life.

Positive impacts of imperialism on human development in Africa

          Though imperialism in Africa has been faulted for its exploitative, dominating and dehumanizing tendencies on the part of Africa, it should not be denied that imperialism in the colonial phase was not entirely without some benefits. This is because every being has element of good and evil. Nothing is entirely good and as well nothing is entirely evil.

          Firstly, formal education in Africa is as a result of European contact. Prior to the coming of European in Africa, African people were illiterates. It was through colonialism that formal education was introduced in Africa. Today, African people are passing through rigorous educational processes. Many of them have reached highest level of education, many are professors in difference fields of study. All these were possible, thanks to European colonialism and imperialism. As educational attainment is one of the aspect of human development, imperialism has helped in human development in Africa to some extent.

          Again, the coming of the Europe to Africa has helped to improve health. Since the coming of the European to Africa, child mortality has reduced to a reasonable extent. Many health care institution, research centers, hospitals and so on have been established in difference part of Africa. Today, African people enjoy drugs like anti-biotics, paracetamol and other pharmaceutical products as against their traditional ways of medications. All these were possible due to their contact with Europeans.

          Finally, colonial rulers introduced many things in Africa; they introduced new crops, technologies and cash economies, they built roads, railroads, harbors, cities, they introduced telecommunication system, phones, computer and internet, they improved the transportation system, to mention but a few. All these have contributed immensely to human development in Africa.

Negative impacts of imperialism on human development in Africa

          Actually, the imperialists contributed in human development in Africa especially in the areas mentioned above. But the European did the above things for Africa not because of their love for Africa but rather, they (imperialists) have ulterior motive for doing them, without which they cannot actualize their egoistic and exploitative aims in Africa.

          Our colonial masters and imperialists succeeded in shattering and destroying our primordial communal system and supplanted it with their capitalistic, exploitative and individualistic system. Prior to the coming of the Europeans, Africa has been living in peace and with mature sense of respect for human life. There were absence of egoism, individualism, or exploitative tendencies in life of  African man but since the entry of the imperialists, the reverse is now the case; capitalism with all its concomitant variables are now the order of the day, people now have guts to kill their fellow man in order to make money, children kill parents for money rituals, leaders now embezzle what belongs to everybody, human being are being used here and there, now and then as means to an end not as ends in themselves.

          Again, the colonial masters did not only succeed in colonizing Africa but succeeded in colonizing their mind. They succeeded in distorting their mind psychologically to the extent that they lost their right sense of judgement. They made African people to believe that everything about Africa is inferior to its European counterparts. This made African people to disregard or neglect all that they can locally produce and embraced foreign product. The imperialists created conditions and structures that will make Africa perpetually depend on them.  The aftermaths of all these are that African people are dying of hunger because the imperialist have made them to be cultivating cash crops which will help make up for their (imperialists) industries. Africa therefore neglect their food crops thereby leading to famine in the continent; human lives waste, people suffer sickness of all kinds and so on.

          Human development is said to concern with developing the human capacities and with using them productively but I doubt if the imperialists really invested in this kind of development in Africa. It is true that the imperialist brought technologies, built roads, railroads, harbors and cities. But their motive of doing all those things is not because of their love for Africa but rather to make the colonies profitable by linking plantations and mines to ports. Exporting raw materials and cash crops from Africa. For the majority of Africans who were subsistence farmers, there was little benefit from these facilities.

          Again, the reward for all these sufferings is unequal exchange of products and commodities. The imperialists buy raw materials very cheap in Africa and sell their manufactured products very exorbitant. Africa continues to sweat and labor for others without receiving the equivalent pay back for their labor. This is man’s inhumanity to fellow man exemplified.

          Moreover, the education they provided for Africans is lopsided, they made it in a way that it should be theoretical and non-practicable. Africans have many to say but less to produce. They created structures that will make Africans’ loyalty and dependence on them to continue ad infinitum. It is not in their agenda to develop human resources in Africa so that they (Africa) will not realize their capabilities and utilize them. That is why there is no functioning refinery in Nigeria up till today. Again, no big industries that produces most of the newly emerging technologies used today in the world can be found in Africa. All these are ways of making Africa perpetually depend on them (the imperialists) and for them to continue their exploitation and marginalization of African people.

          Similarly, the type of health care services provided to African people is incomplete. The imperialists have made it that Africa cannot be self-reliant but will always depend on them. This is more reasons for flying abroad to receive medical care whenever some Africa rich people are sick. Hospitals and medical personnel in Africa are yet to realize their full potentials because they were denied such opportunities.

          Impacts of imperialism on human development cannot overstressed.

Conclusion:

          Having seen all these impacts of imperialism on Africa, African people need to rise and know the implications and dangers of being the imperialists stooges. Africa people should also realize that they have been cheated hence need to start devising a means of developing themselves in a way that is holistic in approach and in a way that welcomes all the intricacies that involves in human development.

End notes

¹.Walter Rodney, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa (Abuja, Nigeria, Panaf Publishing Inc, 1972), 162.

².Walter, How Europe, 163

³.Pope Paul VI,PopulorumProgressio, 1964, no. 14

⁴.Human Development Report 1992 (Oxford University Press, 1992), 2.

WHO IS AN ALTAR SERVER?

 CATHOLIC ALTER SERVERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CASAN)

WHO IS AN ALTAR SERVER?

A TALK DELIVERED BY SOLOMON ANETOCHUKWU ODO ON THE OCCASION OF ALTAR SERVERS ANNUAL RETREAT ON 19^TH DECEMBER, 2016.

AT

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH, IMILIKE-ENU.

                                  NSUKKA DIOCESE.

Nearer to Altar….

Who is an Altar Server?

This question looks very simple at appearance but it very difficult to answer. I would like to start answering it with a quote from Pope Francis in his speech ‘Here I am send me’ to European Altar Servers. “Being Altar Server is call to prayer and mission”.

As we meditate on the above quote, I will rephrase the question in this way; who is not an Altar Server? Tackling this question demand that I will delineates some attributes or character that a good Altar Server will avoid. I represent them with an acronym LUCID. LUCID means clear or easily understood. Here it will stand for the following: L: Lateness, U: Uncleanliness, C: Carelessness, I: Irresponsibility, and D for Disobedience.

1.      Disobedience: an Altar Server is not supposed to be stubborn and irresponsible. He is supposed to obey every good advice or command he receives from any person. Obedience here has no boundary; you are not only expected to obey the parish priest, Bishop or CASAN officials alone but rather have to obey everybody in so far as what you are being told is good and right before God and man. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

2.      Lateness: a good Altar Server should also dissociate himself from any form of lateness at; meetings, works, mass etc. remember that punctuality is the soul of every business. Others are supposed to learn from Altar servers how to organize and attend activities on time. African time is not for Altar Server. A Server that will serve mass is expected to be at the mass venue at least 20 minutes prior to the time of the mass.

3.      Uncleanliness: this is a state of being unclean or dirty or lack of cleanliness. For the fact that Altar Servers play significant role at sanctuary during liturgical celebration, they are supposed to be very neat, clean and hygienic. Servers should brush their teeth very well with good toothpaste and water not just chewing sticks (etu oshishi),they should take their bath before serving any mass, wash and iron their clothes and vestments regularly, comb their hairs and cut it when necessary, polish their shoes and sandals, regular cleaning of vessels, washing linens and so on. We should always bear in mind that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

4.      Carelessness: this can variously come as inattention, negligence, too much playing, lack of organization, lack of coordination, noise making at mass etc. Altar Servers bearing in mind that they are participating in a great sacrifice of the Altar and are handling holy things should do whatever they are doing with utmost reverence and carefulness. Holy things should be handled holily- sancta sanctae taranta sunt. Again, Altar Servers should always be alert and observant at Altar, that is, being in position to read and understand signs and facial expression as means of communication among each other.

5.      Irresponsibility: this according to me can be seen variously as lack of self- control, e.g. being drunk or womanizing, imprudence, unaccountability, insincerity (telling lies) etc. Integrity, that is, steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code very important in the life of every Altar Server. An Altar Server should be a man of P², which stands for, principle and prudence. Humility is another indispensable virtue of an Altar Server. We are not at the Altar to showcase ourselves but to carry out our duty with reverence and humility.

Without disintegrating or extricating ourselves from these attributes, we are not even worthy to be called Altar Servers.

Who then is an Altar Server?

Having stated the above facts, let us face the main question, who is an Altar Server?

An Altar Server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during Christian Liturgy. An Altar Server attends to supporting tasks at the Altar such as fetching and carrying, rings the Altar bell, among other things (Wikipedia).

            We should bear in mind that it is not by right that we serve at Altar, it is only a privilege. We are allowed to serve due to insufficiency of the ordained acolytes whose duties are to minister at holy mass. It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God and therefore Servers are only chosen from among those who display a desire for a more intimate union with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. Our Loving Saviour becomes present on Altar as He was present at the last super and at Calvary. Accordingly, Servers have a solemn responsibility to carry out their assigned duties with dignity, reverence and attention.

Being a Server means serving God and His people at mass. You will be exercising a genuine Liturgical ministry by assisting the clergy and parish community as we publicly worship God.

POINTS TO NOTE

1.            Altar Servers exercise important roles; helping the priest to lead God’s people in prayer. The care and attention that Altar Servers give to their ministry allows the prayer of the church to take place with reverence and beauty.

2.            The ministry of assisting in the sanctuary enhances the beauty of the celebration for all who have been gathered together to pray…. So know what you are doing and do it well.

3.            Do not be a distraction to people who are at mass to honour and give thanks to God. Remember that you are always at sanctuary, sanctuary means mountains or elevation. Since you are at elevated area, people easily see you and what you do because you are up in the sanctuary during liturgy. The actions you perform should be done well.

4.            Becoming a good server takes time, patience perseverance and a desire for excellence. It is the journey to every Christian through life on the pathway to imitate our Lord Jesus. So if you experience difficulties and challenges, keep at it and do not give up.

5.            Remember you are serving a priest who is there in person of Christ – in persona Christi, so we are not merely serving the priest but our savior Jesus Christ.

QUALIFICATION TO SERVE

Any Catholic who has received his first Holy Communion is eligible to be trained to become an Altar Server.

Girls are also allowed to serve at mass. Canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 allowed Local ordinaries to permit girls and woman to also serve mass. 

Altar servers regardless of age are subject to all the normal restrictions for those not of higher clerical position. Being an alter server does not mean that you are a priest, so a server should know his limits and boundary. Often, people misuse privilege given to them.

BASIC RULES FOR SERVERS

Ø   You must attend the training sessions or practice. You don’t have to perform or lead in any liturgical act without prior practice.

Ø   You must attend every Mass you are scheduled for. If otherwise, please find a replacement from the contact list and notify the coordinator or sacristan.

Ø   Must pay attention to what the priest is doing or what is happening in the mass.

Ø   You must audibly say, chant or sing the appropriate prayers and responses in a reverent manner.

Ø   There is to be absolute silence in the sanctuary and sacristy.

Ø   You should not be in the sacristy during mass but must remain at sanctuary till the end of the mass unless on the situation of sickness or a particular job that needs urgent attention.

Ø   You must be dressed appropriately to serve. No exceptions.

Ø   Remember, you are obliged to keep the Eucharist fast, one hour before receiving communion. Exception is when you are serving many masses.

Ø   You must receive communion during mass. If you will not receive communion or if you are not in the state of grace, do not serve.

Ø   Quarrelling or disputes over the assignment of duties are never appropriate and indicate that one is not ready to continue in this ministry.

DRESS CODE FOR ALTAR SERVERS

Ø   Footwear: Shoes or sandals should be worn, preferably black or brown colours. Tennis shoes, timber land, boots are not allowed.

Ø   Hair: It should be neat and trimmed appropriately.

Ø   Jewelry: Do not wear anything like necklace or chains that will make noise or will be distracting or that will cause you to have problems serving.

Ø   Shorts are not allowed.

Ø   Collared shirts are not allowed, white polo is preferable.

NB: remember you are in the sanctuary when Christ is made present on the Altar. So dress accordingly.

DUTIES TO SERVERS AT MASS

v   Acolytes or candle bearers to light and to snuff the Altar candle and carry candle during procession and gospel.

v   Crucifer to be the cross bearer.

v   Torch bearer to carry the six torches (When applicable).

v   Book bearer to carry Roman Missal to and from the priest

v   Bell ringer.

v   Thurifer to carry the thurible for burning of incense.

v   Incense boat bearer.

v   Master of the ceremony (M.C); control other servers.

I don’t think it is necessary to border us with the whole details and process of serving.

POSTURE AT MASS: ACTIONS TO LEARN

A posture is how you are using a part of your body at a particular time. A server has to carry out a number of different actions at mass and so there are number of different postures.

Ø   Folded hands: When the hands are not in use, they should be folded except when the server is seated. When one hand is in use, the other should rest on the chest.

Ø   Walking: walk with your back straight, with your head held high and with your eyes looking straight ahead. Be joyful, go ahead and smile. Don’t ever walk backwards, always turn and walk with front.

Ø   Bowing: three types of bows; simple bow or bow of the head, full bow or bow of the body or profound bow and medium bow. They are all forms of reverence during mass and at the church.

Ø   Kneeling: when you kneel, your body should be upright and your hands should be in-front of your chest, well above your waist.

Ø   Genuflecting: keep your hands in-front of your chest while you go down on your right knee. Keep your body upright.

Ø   Sitting: sit down on your chair carefully and gracefully coordinate with the other servers to maintain uniformity. Never cross your legs while sitting. Place your hands in your lap or flat on your thighs in a relaxed manner.

PATRON SAINTS OF ALTAR SERVERS

Altar servers look up to Christ our lord and to Blessed Mother Mary emulating and leading the good life they lived. They however, hove peculiar people they look up to that had been recognized by church as saints. They should be our role models because they were ideal altar servers.

ü  Saint John Berchmans and

ü  Saint Tarcisius

BRIEF PROFILE OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS, SJ

o   Born 13^th March 1599 at Diest Seventeen Provinces situated now at Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, Flanders Netherlands.

o   Died 13^th August, 1621 (lived on for 22 years)

o   Beatified in the year 1865

o   Canonized on 15^th January 1888

o   Feast day 26^th November (until 1969) 13^th August (after 1969).

o   Attributes: often depicted with hands clasped, holding his crucifix, his book of rules and his rosary.

o   Parents: John Charles and Elizabeth Berchmans.

We should learn from Berchmans how to be dedicated to our service, spirit of sacrifice (he requested that after ordination as a priest he could become a chaplain in army, hoping to be martyred on the battlefield), intelligence and studious (he was selected by prefect of studies to participate in a discussion of philosophy at Greek College), and above all friendly and respectfulness (he was affable, kind and endowed with an outgoing personality that endeared him to everyone). Above all, we should learn to live a life of prayer from St. John Berchmans (we learnt that we cannot see Berchmans without bearing his rosary).     

SHORT STORY ABOUT ST. TARCISIUS

Much is not known about Tarcisius. He was a twelve-year-old acolyte during one of the fierce Roman persecutions on the third century, probably during that of Valerian. Each day, from a secret meeting place in the catacombs where Christians gathered for mass, a deacon would be sent to prison to carry the Eucharist to those Christians condemned to die. At one point, there was no deacon to send and so Tarcisius an acolyte volunteered to go. On his way, he met his pagan friends that turned to mob after several attempts to know what Tarcisius was hiding. They turned upon Tarcisius with fury. He instead of disclosing the holy Eucharist to the pagan chose to sacrifice his life.

            Tarcisius has always been an example of youthful courage and devotion , from him, we should learn to be heroic in suffering for our faith.

BENEFITS OF BEING A GOOD ALTAR SERVER

I will like to disabuse from us the wrong impression of scrambling or fighting for physical rewards as Altar Servers. It should be noted that no amount of physical rewards from; the parish priest, bishop, parish council, parishioners etc. will be equivalent to the services we render at the sanctuary. Our rewards come from our father in heaven who knows the amount of what we do at the Altar.

            Here are some of the helpful scripture quotes about serving. The blessings and promises for servants;

Ø  Colossians 3:23-24 whatever you do, work heartily, as for the lord and not for men, knowing that from the lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the lord Christ.

Ø  John 12:26 if anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the father will honour him.

Ø  Hebrews 6:10 for God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Ø  Luke 22:27 for who is the greater one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Other helpful passages are;

I Corinthians 9:13, Romans 12:1, Matthew 6:24, I Thessalonians 1:8-10, Malachi 3:17-18 among others.

CONCLUSION

      In conclusion, let us serve God in truth and Spirit, simplicity and happiness, humility and reverence. As we are proclaiming Christ here on earth through Altar service, he will surely proclaim us before his father in heaven. Let the way we appear at the Altar be the same way we appear everywhere, that is, what we are at the Altar should also be what we should be at home, school, workplace, market etc.

      Just as I started with Pope Francis quote, I will equally end with his quote; “The closer you are to the Altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the word and the body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received”.

THE OBJECT OF THE LEGION OF MARY

HANDBOOK STUDY FOR OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIAN PRAESIDIUM, ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC COMMUNITY, ST. PETER’S CHAPLAINCY, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA BY BRO. SOLOMON ANETOCHUKWU ODO ON SUNDAY, 5^TH MARCH, 2017.

TOPIC: THE OBJECT OF THE LEGION OF MARY (Legion Official Handbook Chapt. 2, p. 11)

                Object means the purpose or the reason for doing something, or the result you wish to achieve by doing it. On this note, I will start by reminding us of the popular quote; “When purpose is not known abuse is inevitable”.

At the end of the study we are expected  to know the following;

ü  What the object of Legion is?

ü  The primary means of achieving the object

ü  The Legion at the disposal of the bishop who gives the authority for catholic action and social aspect. (culled from Handbook Guide of Immaculate Conception Regia Catholic Diocese of Nsukka)

I will therefore divide this study into three sections namely holiness of members, ways of achieving holiness and loyalty and union of members to higher council and ecclesiastical authorities.

Holiness of Members

                The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members (Handbook Legionis p. 11) Holiness means living and leading good life, that is, life that is devoid of sin. In many passages of our Legion Handbook, issues of holiness have been stressed. As Legionaries, holiness is number one priority in our life. The holiness of life which the Legion of Mary seeks to promote in the members is also its primary means of action. Christ says ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing Jn. 15:5 (Handbook Legionis p. 68). It is in union with Christ and Mary that our holiness grows better. The Legion aims not at the doing of any particular work, but has as a primary object the making of its members holy (HL p. 72).

                The holiness of the member is not only of fundamental importance for the Legion, it is moreover the primary means of action, for only in the measure that the Legionary possesses grace can he be the channel of it to others (HL p.45-46). The passage above is trying to remind us that it is only when we are holy that we can make others to be holy. This goes a long way to remind us of the famous Latin quote: “Nemo dat qued non habet- what you don’t have, you cannot give”. Interior life of Legionaries mean that one’s thoughts, desires and affections converge on our Lord. ‘It is no longer I who live’ says Apostle Paul ‘but it is Christ who lives in me’ Gal. 2:20 (HL p. 203-204)

Ways of Achieving Holiness

                Holiness has both private and public dimension. The two dimensions are not totally the same but they are complementary as well as independent though coexisting peacefully. They are not mutually exclusive. Our subjective and direct personal relationship with our personal God and Saviour should have corresponding practical, pragmatic and objective orientation in our daily lives. Nobody claims to be holy or communing with God personally and his external behaviours are in outright contradiction to what holiness entails. Holiness should not only be viewed from subject point of view but also from universal and objective vantage point for holiness makes sense more in the context of concrete daily lives of man. It is an organic life- process, a something which the whole self does, not something as which its intellect holds an opinion. Thomas Aquinas made us to understand that exterior consecration signifies interior holiness, the subject of which is the soul, again, there can be no holiness without a good life and sanctifying grace (Aquinas Summa).

                The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle (CCC. No. 2015). First step of achieving holiness is by rejecting our formal sinful ways of living. This is not usually easy for the battle is spiritual one so we should be ready for this battle as soldiers of Mary.

                Ways of or means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is through personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support and the Glory of God and salvation of soul(Salvus animorum) as its final end and purpose (HL p. 67). This implies that holiness cannot be achieved by our efforts or powers alone; we rely on grace of God and on the powers of the Holy Ghost working in union with Mary our Mother.

                There are three necessary requirements for a Christian life: prayer, mortification and sacraments and they are interconnected (HL p.204). So, for us to achieve holiness we must live a life of prayer, handbook advises us that we should pray as well as work (HL p. 203). Inasmuch as public aspect of holiness is emphasized we should not undermine private and personal interaction with our God. Again, we should always not dance to the tune of our flesh, self mortification is very essential for spiritual growth. Thank God we are in Lenten season. Finally, we should not forget the role sacraments in our life as Christian, as Legionaries, we are supposed to be receiving Holy Communion every time. The Eucharist is the centre and source of grace: therefore, it must be the very keystone of the Legionary scheme (HL p. 49)

                Charity is the soul of the holiness to which all are called: it "governs, shapes, and perfects all the means of sanctification (CCC. No.826). We equally improve our holy life through charitable works. The bible made us understand that whatever we do to the least of our brethren, we do it unto the Lord.

LOYALTY AND UNION OF MEMBERS TO HIGHER COUNCIL AND TO ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITIES.

                In voluntary organization, the cement of this connection is loyalty; the loyalty of the members to Praesidium, of the Praesidium to its curia, and so on through the ascending grades of Legionary authority to the Concilium Legionis; and to the ecclesiastical authorities everywhere (HL p.171). Ecclesiastical authorities stand for our Parish Priest, Chaplains, Bishops and their representatives. We must obey them and be loyal to them. They have to approve and sanction anything we are to do. On all doubtful points, in all difficult situations and with regard to every new work or novel departure recourse must be had to appropriate authority for guidance and sanction (HL p. 171). Latin adage instructs us that when in doubt, we should not act- ‘in dubio non agere’. We need to act on certainty; this can only be done by appeal to appropriate authority instead of doing whatever comes to our mind. Again, for the fact that the Spirit through the church is source of all holiness, we need to act in union with the church, Catechism maintains, the  article concerning the Church also depends entirely on the article about the Holy Spirit, which immediately precedes it. "Indeed, having shown that the Spirit is the source and giver of all holiness, we now confess that it is he who has endowed the Church with holiness."(CCC. No. 749)

                We should also be mindful of many restrictions stated for us in the Legion Handbook, some of them are as follows;

Ø  Control of work by Praesidium (HL p.288)

Ø  Material relief prohibited (HL p. 166, no. 15 & p. 291)

Ø  No collecting of money (HL p. 293)

Ø  No politics in the Legion (HL p. 293)

Ø  Confidential nature of the Legion (HL p. 109, 123, 194). Et cetera

Conclusion

                We have seen that the object of the Legion is our holiness, holiness is achieved through prayers and active work and maintain by being in union to the church. Let us therefore try as much as possible to make this object our objective as member of Legion of Mary as we pray that God will give us the grace to actualize it.

References:

1.       The Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary. New and revised edition 2005. Published by Concilium Legionis Mariae, Dublin. (cited in the passage as Handbook Legionis or HL)

2.       Catechism Of The Catholic Church (cited in the passage as CCC)

3.       Summa Theologica by Saint Thomas Aquinas (cited in the passage as Aquinas Summa)