Confused

[SandyK]

Hello Everyone,

I have been pretty upset. A very good and holy priest asked me to join the Legion Of Mary. Well, I did and went to 3 meetings and stopped going due to a bad knee (had to climb up 2 flights of stairs for the mtg. room). Also, I felt I didn’t belong there. I was not cut out for the work. This is a lame reason or excuse, but it was time-consuming and I sometimes saw and also engaged in some of the gossip. The numbers in the active legion are low and I know the priest needs help in this area.

He has asked me again to rejoin because he thinks it would be of benefit to me. I don’t really want to do it. I would rather keep lectoring, go to Benediction and sometimes weekday Mass.

I felt bad about gossiping with another person in the Legion Of Mary and have told the priest about my gossiping and some unkind remarks I made. I went to confession and was forgiven.

How do I tell this good priest I am not interested in joining the Legion Of Mary? Does that make me a bad person because I don’t want to join? I’m an auxillary member.

Thank you in advance.
SandyK

 

[jmjconder]

He has asked me again to rejoin because he thinks it would be of benefit to me. I don’t really want to do it. I would rather keep lectoring, go to Benediction and sometimes weekday Mass.

Sandy K,

You need not feel guilty about not sensing a call to join this particular lay apostolate. Our Catholic Church has many lay apostolates available to her members and and each has their own rule of life and each members has a call (or no call at all) to a particular one. One need not belong to such a organization to grow in holiness or to attain eternal life. I know many very holy people who do not belong to any such lay apostolates and continue to be exteremly saintly people who I listen to for spiritual advise.

The only guilt that you are justified in experiencing are the words that you expressed that seemed to be a bit out of line - and I am sure you already realized that and have experienced sorrow.

Only you will know if a lay apostolate will benefit you and you will know that by the friuts you experience in your spiritual life. Prehaps this priests is a close family friend or your spiritual director - but if he is merely giving you some quick adive only you would know if his invitation is right for you.

God Bless you.

 

[SandyK]

Thanks so much.

Yes, I sure do feel guilty, and rightly so, what I said to another person in the Legion Of Mary. She did most of the talking and I mostly listened, but I agreed with her. We talked about the priests and church in an unkindly way I told the priest this. He counseled me and was very helpful and nice to me. I’m repenting for this.

I’m glad to hear that I don’t have to feel guilty about not wanting to join this particular lay apostolate. I believe I too can grow in holiness or to attain eternal life without being in any particular group. It may take me some time to grow in holiness.

I wanted to do this for the priest, who is also the Spiritual Director of the Legion Of Mary. It was the Spiritual Director who asked me. He saw me at the hospital while he was visiting parishioners and asked what I was doing at the hospital. I told him truthfully that I was having my annual mammogram and considering volunteering at the hospital. He said it would be better if I joined the Legion Of Mary because I would receive the spiritual benefits as well. He seems so dedicated and holy, I felt obligated. He is well liked by the parishoners and humble. I feel I let him down but I’m quite sure it is not my calling.

Thank you again.
SandyK