THE LEGION CONGRESS
The Legion Congress forms a valuable part of the legionan system of formation. While not intended to be an annual event, "an area should not hold a Congress more often than every second year" (Handbook), the holding of a Congress every two or three years, while not mandatory, would seem very desirable
The Congress is essentially a Curia function, at which all the members, not just the officers, of the praesidia in the Curia, run come together to discuss the main principles of the Legion. It is important that every member should have an opportunity of contributing to the discussions. This would not be possible in a very large assembly or where the function consists of a series of long talks by selected speakers.
In organising a Congress, it would be well to study carefully the relevant section in the handbook. Some points from that are listed here:
  1. A whole day should be devoted to the Congress
  2. If possible, the proceedings should begin with Mass, followed by a short address by the Spiritual Director, or other priest, and should terminate with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
  3. The day is divided into sessions. Each session should begin and close with prayer. Each subjcct should be very briefly opened up by someone who will have previously prepared his contribution.
  4. Congresses are to he run on the parliamentary method, that is, on lines of universal participation, regulated from the chair. Careful timekeeping is important.
  5. The assistance of some representatives of a higher governing body would be desireable.
  6. The Congress should apply itself to the fundamentals. The subjects to be dealt with should concern the main principles of the Legion:
    (a) The devotional system of the Legion;
    (b) The legionary qualities, and how they are to be developed;
    (c) The methodical system of the Legion - including the conducting of the meetings and the members' reports;
    (d) The Legion works, including the improvement of methods and the planning of new works.
  7. An item of the Congress should be a special talk on some aspect of legionary devotion, idealism or duty. This is usually given as a Concluding Talk, at the close of the last session.
  8. All the lessons learned at the Congress should be put into force by the Curia.
  9. There should be changes in the programme from one Congress to the next. ...."it is necessary that over a period of years much new ground be ploughed up" (Handbook)
It is important that the Congress be planned well in advance. To find a suitable date and venuc and to draw up the programme, it seems desirable that preparations should be made at least six to eight months beforehand. It is also desirable that the next-highest governing body be consulted on the programme and that their suggestions be taken into account. As the attendance of some representatives of the higher council is desirable, adequate notice will be required. If the Congress is to be a success, it is obvious that all the members of the praesidia should have copies of the programme well in advance, at least six weeks beforehand, if possible, so that they will have time to prepare themselves to contribute fully to the Congress. Study of the subjects at praesidium mcctings prior to the Congress would he very beneficial. Above all, all the Ie,ionarics should be encouraged to pray for the success of the Congress, which can be so important for themselves and for their apostolate.