Would you join this Lay Apostolate?

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Consider this apostolate and tell me whether you would join if someone in your parish asked you to. Here are the obligations involved: (Do not give it away if you recognize a particular apostolate! 🙂 ) 1. A weekly meeting of about an hour, which includes a Rosary and other prayers, a short spiritual reading/discussion, and members reports. 2. A weekly work of evangelization of about 2 hours. 3. A daily short recited prayer (about 3 minutes).

The weekly works can be of many different kinds but must fall within the categories of the seven spiritual works of mercy. Often the work requirement can be fulfilled by spiritual work you are already doing. The two-fold objectives of the group are personal sanctification and spread of the gospel. The group has a strong Marian spirituality, but does not require a daily Rosary.

Would you join? Why or why not? Please don’t give it away if you recognize this apostolate and have a definite opinion about it. I am doing a little recruiting research. Thanks!
 
It would depend if I were called to join that Apostolate.

I can do all those things without being a member
 
anon64350612 said:
The group has a strong Marian spirituality, but does not require a daily Rosary.
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My husband is a member of an apostolate with a strong Marian devotion and they require at least one rosary prayed daily. So this lack of requirement I find puzzling. I like the rest of it, though.
 
anon64350612 said:
Consider this apostolate and tell me whether you would join if someone in your parish asked you to
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I would join. But here’s the caveat about myself. This goes for any devotion or any formation in prayer I can think of. Including Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I signed up for it. But never got to it. Because, I work. And am busy. I think the best way would be (of course God’s ways are above mine.) But nonetheless, I keep praying and hoping for a devotion to change my life. Especially in a Holy way. Even a devotion at home.
 
I think I recognize it and I opted not to join because the meetings were a little…quiet and I often had a lot of angst to burn before I could recollect myself. I had other options (a lot) so I went with something else. If I the same group was where I live now I’d give it another chance because the parish closest to me doesn’t offer much.
 
Yes, because I would be finding my way to God and His heavenly kingdom.
 
I think I recognize it. They just started one at my parish that was asking about the same thing. I want to get some info but wasn’t able to commit to the hours. I wish they had a way to do activities that you could bring small children too.
 
So I have a few questions about your answer. Many people mean they have a “desire to do something” or think that the something is the “right thing to do” or that they would benefit when they say they are “called to” do a thing. 1. Is that what you mean by the phrase “called to”? 2. Could you describe a thought process or feeling that would somehow inspire you join an apostolate such as described? (I am trying to understand what are the things/feelings that make people want/not want to join this type of group.)
3. Do you believe that people can benefit from spending structured time each week to discuss spiritual topics, with every member participating in discussion? (as opposed to spending that time alone studying the same topics)
4. Do you think that people are more committed or consistent when they are accountable to a group? (let’s say that you volunteer in pairs, and your partner needs your attendance each week to do his or her volunteer work)

I have more questions if you are willing to answer, but I don’t want to be a pest! Thanks
 
Not right now. Health is too fragile to commit to weekly meetings.
 
Thanks for the feedback. The amount of hours is a big deal, true. The type of work done dictates whether children can come along. But mostly, there are not activities where children can come along. There are provisions for the creation of children’s groups (led by adults) though. Message me if you have questions.

As for the hours commitment each week, I am surprised by the number of very busy volunteers each week at our parish who do many things, but will not join this apostolate that offers so much in the way of learning, prayer with others, and accountability (which helps us get to the next level I think). I am not sure what the objection is from someone who already spends so much time volunteering and has the opportunity to take some of that same time for spiritual development with a committed group. Our pastor has made it known he wants his already busy volunteers to join, but they refuse. He is not asking them to do more work, but to attend the meetings for their own benefit. Do you have any suggestions for making the group look more attractive? (I have already given up on our active parishioners who are uninterested. God bless them they do good work.)
 
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You can start one at your parish with the support of the pastor and four people to be officers (president, vice president, etc.). If the handbook is followed closely, it is a very good system of personal and spiritual development. It is also amazing how praying the Rosary together sets a good tone for the meeting and helps the members really care about each other. Hail Mary!
 
The apostolate I am asking about is the Legion of Mary. Active members are required to attend a weekly meeting, do two hours of work each week (spiritual works of mercy), and pray the Catena (a version of the Magnificat) daily. A daily Rosary is not a requirement, but most active members pray a daily Rosary anyway.

Auxiliary members do not attend meetings or do active work, but they do pray a Rosary and all the Legion prayers each day.
 
I would join if the meeting times worked with my schedule.
 
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anon64350612 said:
  1. Is that what you mean by the phrase “called to”?
  2. Could you describe a thought process or feeling that would somehow inspire you join an apostolate such as described? (I am trying to understand what are the things/feelings that make people want/not want to join this type of group.]
  3. Do you believe that people can benefit from spending structured time each week to discuss spiritual topics, with every member participating in discussion? (as opposed to spending that time alone studying the same topics)
  4. Do you think that people are more committed or consistent when they are accountable to a group? (let’s say that you volunteer in pairs, and your partner needs your attendance each week to do his or her volunteer work)
    I have more questions if you are willing to answer, but I don’t want to be a pest! Thanks
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  1. Pray over it, discern it. Given it is a Apostolate, could you join part of the weekly meeting for the prayer and scripture to see what this group is like.
    To discern is to pray about something and see if it’s right for you.
    Also enquire as to what works are on their list and how those works might fit you.
There is variety of groups / Lay orders attached to my Diocese. Each has Charisms and objectives. discern in which group God might call someone. A lot depends on our skills and talents and interests.
Ie musicians in the choir, those good with finance are drawn to that area. Those with a deep Marian spirituality join the Legion of Mary or weekly Rosaries. There are two Lay orders and one Community active. One very contemplative community and one charismatic group , both very different Charisms that fit different people. st vinnies.
  1. I think first to have an interest or attraction to something of that group and then listen to your heart. No thoughts or feelings. Just listen. Something we do that is from the Holy Spirit will be a positive and gift us calm and peace. Although obviously with any group of people , to form a good community takes prayer and time and direction.
  2. Most definitely. Although discussions like this need to stay with the precepts of the Church and no one member should dominate . So the group needs a skilled facilitator. And a person with training in catechism. Who will take these roles. It’s a formation of sorts of members and requires mentors.
  3. I think firstly we are accountable to God. We are undertaking His work, picking up a Ministry in His service. We should be forming a tight unit, a little family who can rely on each other. Trust and dependability in each other. If a person is shirking his or her responsibility this would suggest this Ministry is not for them. Or they are struggling with the work. Is it into the homeless sleep spots at night, attending funerals, at a soup kitchen, standing on a street corner speaking to passers by.
I can answer more as I have time. I am an Aspirant in a Community myself and discerning if it’s right for me. My superior said put it on like a new outfit. See if it fits. That’s the best advice.
 
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anon64350612 said:
You can start one at your parish with the support of the pastor
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I visited a group that was wonderful although I was overwhelmed. There were about a dozen ladies there. At the next meeting I was given the news that their pastor was removed and they did not know if the group would continue since those who had wanted the pastor removed also had voiced they did not want this apostolate there. I have not tried to join any apostolate since.

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I have had many groups try to recruit me: clubs, third orders, associate groups, apostolates. Every one has said the same thing and used the same tactic. “hey your really devout and really involved and seem serious about your spiritual life, come join our group, we have a handbook/method for holiness.” yawn.

i already have several venues for learning and working on my spiritual life. I am already doing service. I am already praying a lot. I have devout friends. What all these groups offer me are meetings and maybe the prospect of future recruitment drives and fundraising. woot. Some groups throw in gossip and whining about families as well.

Maybe at some point I will need such a group but I don’t now. That is not to say I couldn’t benefit from the group but not enough to commit to a weekly meeting.

I would say work on recruiting the people who are just getting their feet wet, returning to the church, becoming empty nesters, retiring, or just going to church activities but not doing. They are a lot harder to zone in on and will require more help but wow the rewards!
 
I am really turned off by the artwork of the Legion. It makes me think of 1930s fascism. I am sorry but it does
 
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