While the above quotation refers to attendance at meetings of the Curia, it also refers obviously to attendance at meetings of higher councils by officers of directly-attached praesidia. These officers form the main core attendance at meetings of higher councils and their regular and punctual attendance is vital, therefore, to the life of the councils.
In regard to a higher council, which normally combines with its own proper functions the functions of a lower council. Particularly that of a Curia, the handbook says: "The combination of the functions of such higher body with those of the lower will ensure a large and constant attendance of members. These will not only perform the duties proper to the lower council, but also will be interested and educated in the work of the higher body.
It then becomes possible to enlist them in the all-important supervision, extension, and clerical work of tire higher body:' (28:1:19(b))
It is evident from the above that the officers of praesidia directly-affiliated to a higher council have an important role to play in the functioning of that council. They are being given the opportunity of assisting in the government of the Legion over area wider than their own local area. It would be a pity if they failed to take this opportunity. Irregular attendance or lack of active participation in the meetings of the higher council will be detrimental to the functioning of the council. It would be a mistake for officers of directly-affiliated praesidia to think that they should be concerned only for their own local area and that the wider area governed by the council is of concern only to the officers of the council and the officers of affiliated councils and correspondents.
Attendance at higher council meetings of officers of affiliated councils is also, of course, of great importance. In the case of a Curia attached to a Comitium, the handbook says: " ... it would be permissible to deal with the business of that Curia and to require the attendance of its representatives only at every second or third meeting, of the Comitium." (28:2:2) In the case of a Senatus or Regia, however, in view of the greater responsibilities, which such a council bears, it is expected that officers of affiliated councils will attend each month unless due to distance, etc. this is not possible. The handbook says: "The representatives of every affiliated council have the duty to attend and no doubt conscientiously do so to the best of their ability:" (28:1:19(b))
It is important that officers of praesidia and councils as well as all members of praesidia should realize the spiritual value of attendance at meetings. In chapter 21, The Mystical Home of Nazareth, the handbook says: "A particular application of the Doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ may be made to the Legion meetings ...."Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (Mt 18:20)
These words of our Lord assure us that his influential presence in the members of his Mystical Body is intensified according to the number in which they unite to serve him He specifies number as a condition for the complete displaying of his power." While this chapter refers mainly to the praesidium meeting, it surely applies also to council meetings.
(Taken from Some Handbook Reflections)