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As
a military expression in Latin, Tessera signified the square tablet
upon which the watchword was written and circulated through the Roman
Legion.
The Legion of Mary applies the word Tessera to the leaflet containing
its prayers and picture.
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These
prayers are recited at each weekly
meeting.
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The Catena ("Chain" in Latin) is the link between the Legion and the daily life of all its members, active and auxiliary, and the bond that unites them to one another and to their Blessed Mother. The Catena prayers are recited daily by all active and auxiliary members. |
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Opening
Prayer
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(Make
the Sign of the Cross) In the name of the Father, etc. Come,
0 Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your
faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Let us pray. God our Father, pour out the gifts of Your Holy Spirit on the world. You sent the Spirit on Your Church to begin the teaching of the gospel. Now let the Spirit continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. v.
You, 0 Lord, will open my lips. |
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Recite five decades of the Rosary.
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Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, 0 most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us, and after this our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, 0 loving, 0 sweet Virgin Mary. v. Pray
for us, 0 holy Mother of God. Let us pray. O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech You, that meditating upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. v. Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus (Make
the Sign of the Cross) |
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Antiphon:
Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright
as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?
(Make
the Sign of the Cross) R. The
Almighty works marvels for me.* Holy His name! R. He
puts forth His arm in strength* and scatters the proud-hearted. R. He fills the starving with good things,* sends the rich away empty. v. He
protects Israel His servant,* remembering His mercy, Antiphon: Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array? v. O
Mary, conceived without sin. Let us pray. O, Lord Jesus Christ, our mediator with the Father, Who has been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Your mother, to be our mother also, and our mediatrix with You, mercifully grant that whoever comes to You seeking Your favours may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen. |
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Concluding Prayer |
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(Make
the Sign of the Cross) In the name of the Father, etc. We fly to your patronage, 0 holy Mother of God; despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, 0 glorious and blessed Virgin. v. Mary
Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces (or other Invocation appropriate
to Praesidium) Confer, 0 Lord, on us, who serve beneath the standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in You and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of You, and ever to see You and serve You in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion's Pillar of Fire - to lead us forth united - to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love - to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death - to inflame those who are lukewarm - to bring back life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over - our Legion may reassemble, without the loss of any one, in the kingdom of Your love and glory. Amen. May the souls of our departed legionaries and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. (Make
the Sign of the Cross) |