EXPLORATIO DOMINICALIS

EXPLORATIO DOMINICALIS

“Exploratio Dominicalis is the term by which is known what might be called a mini Peregrinatio Pro Christo and which might be translated as the Sunday search for souls.

Every praesidium in the world is urged, if possible as a body, to devote at least one Sunday in the year to an expedition to some place – possibly a problem area – at a little distance away, but at the same time not so far as to absorb undue time in travelling. The Exploratio need not be limited to one day; two or three days might be found possible. Exploratio Dominicalis enables the majority (in many cases all) of the members of a praesidium to undertake such a venture. It is recognised that even with the best of will, the Peregrinatio Pro Christo itself is not a possibility for the majority of legionaries.

Experience shows that it is necessary to stress, what the Concilium has repeatedly emphasised: that Exploratio Dominicalis is essentially a praesidium project. Councils and praesidia are asked to keep this point in mind when Exploratio Dominicalis is being organised.” (Handbook 40:9)

It is strongly recommended that Exploration Dominicalis should be one of the items to be considered when a praesidium is planning is planning for the year ahead. If all the members are to take part, something which is very much to be desired, the choice of date, well in advance, will be of great importance. If a date is not agreed on at an early stage, it is likely that the Exploratio may be deferred, perhaps several times, and possibly omitted altogether.

The praesidium will obviously require permission from the Parish Priest and the Legion council, which is responsible for the parish in which it is proposed to carry out the Exploratio. It seems desirable, therefore, that the praesidium should work through its own Curia (or other council to which it is directly affiliated) when planning the Exploratio. If the Exploratio is being carried out in another council area, then the praesidium’s own council should liaise with the other council. It is important that such council’s area of jurisdiction should be respected. It should not be necessary to add that if the Exploratio is planned for a parish in which the praesidium already exists, then of course the permission of that praesidium, also, should be obtained.

While new members may be recruited or even the nucleus for a new praesidium obtained in the course of an Exploratio, extension is not its main purpose. The Handbook describes it as “the Sunday search for souls.” It is evident therefore, that the Exploratio should reach out to people with the aim of “bringing the full riches of the Church to every person.” (Handbook 39:9) As the carrying out of an Exploratio calls for self-sacrifice and a valuable contribution of time and effort on the part of the legionaries it is desirable that it should be directed as far as possible to areas of greatest need. The Exploratio can be a valuable asset to Legion councils in having an intensive apostolate carried out in areas which, otherwise, might be partially or totally untouched.

As a praesidium may succeed in having only one Exploratio during the year, it is desirable that a full day, at least should be devoted to it and that a substantial portion of that day, after attendance at Mass and the recitation of the Legion prayers and Rosary, should be spent on the actual work of visitation or contact.
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