FUNDS
 

1. Every legionary body shall make a contribution towards the maintenance of its next-highest council. Subject to that and the following provisions, every legionary body has full control over its own funds and exclusive liability for its own debts.
2. The various bodies should not limit their contributions to percentages or bare minima. It is recommended that whatever surplus funds remain after the needs of the praesidium have been met, should be sent to the Curia for the general purposes of the Legion. In this, as in all other matters, the relations of the praesidium to the Curia should be those of a child to its mother, the latter filled with solicitude for the interests of the former, which in turn tries to afford every assistance in lightening the maternal cares.

Very often praesidia do not sufficiently appreciate the fact that the general administration of the Legion is dependent on their contributions. They are found meeting only the bare needs of Curiae, and sometimes they fail even to do that much. As a consequence; those Curiae cannot aid the higher councils to bear the heavy burden attaching to the work of extension, the starting and visitation of branches, and other running expenses. This means that a vital legionary function is being crippled, which is a woeful thing to follow from mere thoughtlessness.

3. All proposals for novel expenditure are to be referred by praesidia to the Curia so that the latter may judge if anything is involved which might have faulty reactions.
4. The Curia may give money grants to a praesidium, but must not assume financial responsibility in respect of any work being carried on by that praesidium. That responsibility rests on the praesidium itself. The necessity for this regulation is obvious. Without it, any group running a Club, Hostel, or other work could, by being constituted a praesidium, turn the other praesidia into collecting agencies on its behalf.

It follows from this that no praesidium may call, otherwise than as a favour, upon any other praesidium or upon the Curia for assistance in the collection of funds.

5. Any transfer of funds, other than by a praesidium to its special work or vice versa, shall be a matter for Curia sanction.
6. In the event of a praesidium or a legionary council falling through, or ceasing to function as a Legion body, the ownership of its funds and property is thereupon vested in the next-highest governing body.
7. The Spiritual Director shall have no personal financial responsibility for debts which he has not himself advised.
8. The Treasurer's books shall be audited annually. It is suggested that two members of the praesidium or the council (as the case may be), other than the Treasurer, be appointed to that duty.
9. It would be impossible to associate the idea of wastefulness with Our Lady's housekeeping. Therefore it goes without saying that every legionary body must handle its property and its funds watchfully and economically.

"All mankind is one whole, a body in which each member receives and ought also to give. Life should live and circulate. It comes to all; he who would stop it, loses it. He who consents to lose it, finds it. Each soul, if it would live, should pour itself forth into another soul. Every gift of God is a force which must be passed on in order to be preserved and multiplied,'' (Gratry: The Month of Mary)