I am all yours

Marea Lyn Amiranez (second from left) with fellow Filipina Columban lay missionaries on mission in Taiwan. Photo:St Columbans Mission Society

When Augustinian Sr Joyce Arevalo, our pastoral coordinator at the Cathedral parish in the diocese of Hsinchu, Taiwan, asked me to be the spiritual director of the Filipino Legion of Mary, the only answer I gave was, “I’ll try.”

I did not know how to fulfil the role of a spiritual director of the Legion of Mary and how I would accompany the migrant and immigrant members of the Legion. I had no previous experience with this kind of ministry.

The Legion of Mary handbook states that the spiritual director is a priest, deacon, religious sister or brother. I am a lay missionary. Because of this, I felt undeserving to be the spiritual director. On the occasion when all the members of the Legion of Mary renew their promises to Mary, I had the opportunity to ask an Augustinian Sister, a former spiritual director of the Legion of Mary, why they had chosen a lay missionary instead of a priest or a religious. She simply replied, “Why not?” I pondered on her response and drew similarities with the call of Mary.

Out of millions of women, God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. From that time on, my journey as the spiritual director of the Legion of Mary began.

The situation for the members of the Legion of Mary was rocky at that time. Most of the old members did not like to attend the weekly meetings. Some new members were also confused because they did not know the direction of their Praesidium (unit of the Legion of Mary). I, too, did not know how to accompany the members. I felt worried because I did not know where to start. I prayed to God for the grace to handle this situation.

Every time we had our weekly meeting, I read a spiritual reading from the Legion of Mary handbook and gave an Allocutio (a short reflection). I kept praying to the Holy Spirit and Mary to assist me in giving the Allocutio. I listened to the sharing of the members about their Legion of Mary duties and daily experiences - most especially their ups and downs. Reading the handbook enhanced my knowledge of Mary, particularly her qualities and values, and brought me closer to the Holy Spirit. I became aware of the function and apostolate of the Legion of Mary and appreciated the association’s work within the Church.

So many things have happened during my journey with the members of the Legion of Mary. Despite the challenges that came with the good times, I continue to accompany them. All the members are working either in factories or as caregivers. They are committed to participating in their weekly Legion of Mary meetings after work, serving during Sunday Mass, visiting the sick, and attending labour education seminars to share their knowledge with other migrant workers. I witness their passion for serving God despite time constraints and pandemic restrictions. Most of them work at night. On Sunday mornings, straight after work, they go to the church for Mass, where they also serve the community as ushers. After Mass, they return to the homes of the people they care for or to their factory dormitories for some rest. The members are happy to attend Mass and their weekly meetings and do their apostolate during the Mass.

I have been their spiritual director for almost five years now. During this time, I did not imagine that the Praesidium, which started on such unsteady ground, would become peaceful and active in its apostolate. As I reflect on how the Holy Spirit works through the intercession of Mary, I realise how good God is to the members of the Praesidium and me. The doubts I once had are replaced by the faith I now have. I learned from Mary how to be open to God’s call and to let the Holy Spirit guide me.

Journeying with the members of the Legion of Mary brings me the assurance that nothing is impossible for God. I see how the members grow in their faith and become faithful to their promises to Mary: “I am all yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours.” This promise that the members recite during their annual consecration is the promise they live daily as children of Mary. This is also my promise, not only as a part of the Legion of Mary but also as a servant of God. I am all yours..