The trials and tribulations which we confront are certainly growing. A spirit of lawlessness is spreading in our land, and the spirit of lawlessness is the Evil One, himself. While we are unsurprised to see this among those who reject the Gospel, we should be highly concerned and vigilant against its infiltration into our ranks as Christian men. We must be vigilant against this threat, in our own hearts, and among our brothers.
The pressing issue we must confront in this moment is not the re-election of a particular political figure, a prince who will take his breath and return to clay (Ps 146: 3-5). Rather, the urgent issue at hand is how we restore virtue in our society and bring others to the truth of the Gospel. Our mission, which is Christ’s mission, is to make disciples of all the nations—which is to say, bring the Gospel to all people. Temptations and traps surround us on all sides, set by forces bent on sabotage of Christ’s mission.
In this moment, the very character of the Legion of Valor, and of each of us, is tested, clarified, and made more pure than fire-tried gold (1 Pet 1:7). Thus we offer the following statement of identity for the Legion of Valor, against the backdrop of the chaos and disorder in our world. The newly honed clarity of this identify of the Legion of Valor presents a decision for each of us: am I in?
The Legion of Valor: Brotherhood. Virtue. Mission.
Brotherhood: we stand for Christian charity, for love of neighbor as ourselves, for love of enemy. We do not stoop to the level of the world and seek the destruction of those with whom we disagree. We die to self for the sake of both friend and enemy. We “who have knowledge” avoid scandalizing our brethren of weaker conscience, forgoing our “rights” in humble service of the other, when necessary to, advance the Gospel. (1 Cor 8) We embrace our Legion brothers in a unique bond of brotherhood, supporting each other in prayer, guarding against scandal, holding each other accountable through charitable fraternal correction. We recognize our primary battle is spiritual and that isolation is one of our greatest threats. So we engage the spiritual battle as a brotherhood, praying together, in the heart of the Church, with Morning Prayer, each weekday, on behalf of our families, our brothers, our Church and the salvation of souls.
Virtue: we stand for faith, hope, and charity and for prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. We live in constant certainty that Christ has redeemed the world and that His victory is secure. We are incorporated to Christ’s mystical body and mission by virtue of our baptism and are called to become like Christ, which means to grow in perfection of virtue. We believe that Christ has given us His Holy Spirit to animate and guide our purification and sanctification. We look to Christ, Himself as the model of virtue in His own life and teaching, particularly the Beatitudes; in the lives of the saints, who were one of heart and mind with Him; in the decalogue; in the moral teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, including the guidance and exhortation of our bishop. We accept, in humility, that ingesting news, entertainment, and social media “conforms us to this world.” We commit to being “transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Rm 12:2) through prayer, fasting, and study of the faith.
Mission: in striving for perfection in virtue, we also strive to be ever more perfectly united with Christ and His mission. We know that suffering and persecution are a necessary part of this mission, and we embrace them when they come, considering it all joy. (Jm 1:2) We also know that Christ’s mission is eternal salvation of souls, not a Christian utopia here on earth. We recognize that our mission in Christ is, first and foremost, complete dominion over our own hearts and minds and, secondly, the promotion of the Gospel and virtue in our homes and in the relationships in which God has placed us. We guard against hypocrisy and scandal that undermine this mission and defame our Savior and His Church. We recognize that our battle is not with any human enemy but with evil spirits who rule this present darkness. (Ep 6:12) In love of God and neighbor, our mission is to make disciples of Christ, bringing others to the good news of the Gospel.
The Legion of Valor has been unfolding under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for nearly two years. It is not of our human design, but is a fruit of the Holy Spirit flowing from the Forth Diocesan Synod. Given its unfolding and unveiling over time, none of us fully knew what we were signing up in the Legion of Valor. Therefore, this statement of identity and purpose is a moment of consequence and choice for each of us. It is a choice that should not be taken lightly.
Do you embrace this identity as your own and claim your membership in the Legion of Valor? Or do you choose a different path?
We are all free to choose, but we are not free to claim membership and reject these principles, to ride along without commitment, or to join the ranks but contradict or undermine the mission.
Let your “yes mean yes and your no mean no.” (Mt 5:37)
Are you with us?
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle,
The Legion of Valor Leadership Team
