Concilium Bulletin July 2010
Concilium Bulletin July 2010
REPORTS
South America
COLUMBIA
Bogotá Senatus: Forty-three returns to the sacraments were mentioned. Shortage of money for extension is raised in some areas. Works include looking after domestic workers; street girls, now in a hostel, are visited; Vocation Committees exist in many parishes, a junior praesidium of 8 members was set. A family was rescued from the Jehovah’s and 2 suicides prevented. Two Columban drives resulted in 44 new members and 3 praesidia in formation. Hilda Firtels book on Alfie Lambe is being re-printed.
Medellin Senatus: In preparation for a PPC project, legionaries studied the Catechism of the Catholic Church for one month. The PPC was held in Holy Week with good results. A sample of the works reported include caring for the sick so family members can rest, therapeutic care of drug addicts and teaching children to make May Altars. A woman who had joined the sects is now a legionary.
ECUADOR
Senatus of Quito: Four jails are visited in Cuenca Regia. A retreat was held for young people, disabled children are helped with homework, children ‘at risk’ are visited, 3 Exploratios were held and 80 legionaries attended a 3-day retreat. Extension was carried out in 4 new parishes at the parish priests request.
URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo: A praesidium reported holding a Parish Reconciliation service. In Salto the meeting did not take place due to excessive heat. On commenting that cleaning the church is not really Legion work, the priest said that he depends on the Legion to do it. Some legionaries have been studying lay ministry for the Diocese.
VENEZUELA
Senatus of Caracas: A campaign of one million rosaries was carried out in the schools and 1800 people were contacted on the internet. In Chacao a prostitute converted after 6 months of visitation by legionaries. Talks were given to students and 9 returned to the practice of the faith. Twelve young people set up a group of dance, music and theatre.
CHILE
Senatus of Santiago: Reports of excellent works like the apostolate amongst the Mapuche Indians who are a forgotten race. Visits are made to the homes of young drug addicts to help both the parents as well as the addict. The parish priest implored extension workers experiencing difficulties, not to abandon their weekend Columban drive. The Continental General Mission as requested by the Cardinal is giving great scope to those legionaries who are experienced in home-to-home visitation.
BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz: The vice president of the Senatus is a young brother who is a key link with the many emerging youth praesidia. The Spiritual Director of the Senatus is one of the Auxiliary Bishops who travels up and down the country. Most praesidia do Exploratio at least once a year.
PERU
Senatus of Lima: During this period 3 Comitia, 5 Curiae and 2 praesidia reported. All reports indicate that extension is a priority. Each reporting council has set up at least two praesidia and in Callao (on the outskirts of Lima) 8 junior praesidia were set up. Talks on the True Devotion to Mary have been organised. A number of young persons were rescued from a satanic group and they are now taking instruction to be received into the Church. On street contact work the Miraculous Medal is offered with an explanation.
CUBA
Havana Comitium: On behalf of the Concilium the visiting legionaries from the Senatus of Merida will travel to Havana in September.
PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asunción: The Senatus organised a day to study the South American Bishops document of Aparecida. Exploratio Dominicalis projects are carried out on a regular basis and included one involving juniors. Youngsters were involved in a ‘live crib’ at Christmas while a Youth Conference was held. One praesidium organised a Devotion to St Rose of Lima, Patron Saint of Police before Mass, for a local police Precinct.
ASIA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Madang Regia: Reports received includes work helping mothers with natural family planning, conversion work which is always on the agenda and several non-Catholic families who were received into the Church. Members are focusing on the work of enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes.
Rabaul Regia: Regularising of relationships features prominently in reports, also the preparation of children for baptism.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus is active in extension and recruiting works. Reports tell of running sacramental programmes in schools and parishes. In the Maori College 17 students aged 14 to 16 years were received into the Church. A woman of 103 years recently received her First Holy Communion. The Korean Comitium has 36 senior praesidia and 2 junior praesidia. Care of the newly baptised, transport to Mass and visits to the lapsed were reported. The junior Curia has 7 praesidia and 90 members. As well as Church based activities, legionaries visit nursing homes and assist patients to Mass, teach catechism and circulate the Rosary statue. In American Samoa, after the earthquake, a praesidium began a month long nightly pilgrimage of transferring Our Lady’s statue from home to home.
AUSTRALIA
Melbourne Senatus: Extension is widely promoted. The junior movement is fairly strong in some councils and members help with the Children’s liturgy and visit First Holy Communion classes. In West Melbourne a pilgrim statue is taken to the homes of Italian families. A Holy Hour on Saturday, coinciding with Confession time, has seen a marked increase in Confession reported the Parish Priest. Attached to the Senatus are 10 Comitia and 3 Curiae in the Pacific Islands. In Fiji a new praesidium was set up in the western part of the main island.
Sydney Senatus: Works reported on by 6 Curiae with 35 praesidia and 300 members include teaching catechism in state schools, running piety stalls, reciting the Rosary at funerals, providing transport to Mass and encouraging the lapsed met on door-to-door visitation to return to the practice of their faith. Visiting seamen is undertaken and one Curia distributed 1,000 prayer cards for the year of the Priest. The Vietnamese Curia has 12 praesidia and 135 members. Three new praesidia were started by Seminarians. The Causes are promoted in the Senatus area.
PHILLIPINES
Mindanao Senatus. Two cases advised of possible miracle cures through the intercession of Frank Duff. A Mormon convert and a convert from the Baptist Church have joined the Legion. A praesidium in the Mayor’s office focuses their work on fellow-employees with excellent results.
Bicolandia Senatus: Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes is an ongoing work in all councils. A teenager was helped back to the sacrament of penance. Legionaries assisted in the preparation for Mass and Holy Communion to 1,646 elementary and secondary students. One 8-year old was baptised with the permission of her father, who is a Protestant. Naga City legionaries visited stores at the market and invited the owners to attend religious activities. Legionaries from Masbata traveled to the Senatus meeting, crossing the sea, which showed great effort and courage.
Cebu Senatus: Three Regiae, 6 Comitia, 21 Curiae and 6 praesidia reported a membership of 12,113 senior, 9,037 junior and 2,400 probationary members. The Causes are supported vigorously, visitation of councils is carried out, extension and Exploratio Dominicalis is constant. Five praesidia were set up in a Municipal Jail. A Patrician meeting was held with detainees at a Police station and a lively discussion followed. Members of 12 junior praesidia encourage their own families to attend Mass, a campaign of home visitation was establish to promote devotion to the Rosary, engage in household work and encourage ex-juniors to return to their meetings.
Senatus of Northern Phillippines: Four Curiae were elevated to Comitium status and Lipa Comitium was raised to Regia status. A Seminar on the Legion apostolate was held in February. Lucena Comitium reported the conversion of a couple who received five of the sacraments. San Pablo Comitium reported on 25 conversions. Novaliches Comitium plans to promote the Legion in their 8 parishes, which has no Legion presence. Their apostolate on a Vocation Campaign brought to fruition 2 legionary priests, one deacon, 3 seminarians, 2 nuns and 3 aspirants. Mgr. Ditan encouraged legionaries to strengthen catechetic knowledge during home visitation. A Spiritual Director said in his homily that the legionaries have inspired him with their zeal, their work for souls and their commitment to the apostolate.
Western Visayas Regia: There are 16 directly attached praesidia and 21 councils. Three Comitia and 6 Curiae reported on works, which included visitation of homes, of the sick and elderly, teaching catechism in public schools and running junior praesidia. The lapsed are encouraged to return to the practice of their faith and several sick people and some near to death were reconciled. Marriages were validated and those co-habiting are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. Several Exploratio Dominicalis projects were undertaken.
AFRICA
GHANA/LIBERIA
Ghana Senatus: The Legion in Ghana is celebrating its 70th Anniversary. Following visitation of the Liberian refugee camps at Budumburan, a praesidium was set up and the Liberian legionaries attended the Acies. New praesidia have been established in prisons and the work is ongoing and an Acies was held in prison. There are 40 prospective new members in another prison. The Senatus organised a marriage seminar encouraging couples to get married in Church. Extension is ongoing and various councils have set up several new praesidia.
ANGOLA
Benguela Senatus: The retired Bishop of Benguela, D. Oscar Braga, attended the December 2009 meeting and gave the allocutio at the January meeting on showing appreciation for Priests and praying for them. He asked legionaries to pray for the late Rev. Fr. Henrique Verdijk, C.S.Sp., founder of the Legion in Angola. A new Spiritual Director has been appointed. There was a large attendance, including officers of Huambo and Lubango Regiae at the meeting. A national meeting for youth is planned for September. A junior Curia has been divided to form a new Curia with seven praesidia.
Luanda Regia: A retreat for officers of higher councils was held. A new Comitium was established.
MOZAMBIQUE
Maputo Regia: The Regia celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Legion in Mozambique on 5th October 2009. The chief celebrant at the Mass was D. Paulo Mandlate, retired Bishop of Tele. Several Spiritual Directors concelebrated. There was an attendance of 1,200 legionaries. To mark the Jubilee, the Regia wrote a letter to the Archbishop of Maputo giving a short history of the Legion in the country since its foundation.
LESOTHO
The Handbook in their language is ready for printing. Works in recent reports included a family that lives on selling alcohol was visited, and legionaries take care of Church livestock.
ZIMBABWE
Hwange Comitium: Some legionaries walk 50 miles to get to the Comitium meeting. Legionaries are between the ages of 18-40 years. The junior movement is very strong.
SOUTH AFRICA
Marianhill Comitium: Legionaries promote the Rosary in May and October among Catholics and non-Catholics and also distribute Miraculous Medals. Other works included doing acts of mercy to the poor and helped with books to needy children. They also help orphans.
Matatiele Comitium: The Patrician meeting has been revived and 40 attended the first meeting.
Johannesburg Senatus: There are 20 attached praesidia and 4 attached councils. Their works include home visitation to Catholic and non-Catholic homes, street contact apostolate and they also make contacts in taxi ranks. Extension is being carried out and two praesidia have been revived.
Cape Town Senatus: The Senatus is applying seriously the Concilium’s theme for 2010 on “Back to Basics” through the study of the Handbook. An Officers’ Conference is planned for 1st August on the theme “Back to Basics” and during their day of recollection the Legion Promise was discussed.
CAPE VERDE/GUINE BISSAU
Cape Verde Regia: Exploratio Dominicalis is undertaken by all praesidia. Guine Bissau is celebrating its 43rd year and is grateful for the assistance given to them by Cape Verde.
EGYPT
There was a large attendance of legionaries at the various Acies ceremonies and many Bishops attended. Some Sudanese legionaries also attended. Legionaries were invited to participate in a conference, which will discuss the Synod for the Middle East to be held in Rome in October 2010. The Senatus is planning a Conference for legionaries in 2011.
Visit by Council Officers of Poland
Officers from the Lublin, Warsaw and Praga councils, Poland attended the Concilium Meeting on Sunday 18th July 2010. Attending the meeting from the Lublin Regia were Fr. Jozef Sarzynski, Spiritual Director of the Regia, the President Linda Kozlowska, Secretary Maria Wojtanowicz and Treasurer Zofie Grabowska. The Warsaw Comitium officers were represented by Fr. Janusz Wegizecki, National Spiritual Director for Poland, Maria Elzbieta Kowalxzyk President, Jolanta Widenka Vice President, Anna Karlowicz Secretary and Grazyna Stachera Treasurer. The Officers representing Praga Comitium were Fr. Tomasz Nowaczek, Spiritual Director of the Comitium, Irena Cieslak President, Liliana Chmielewska Vice President, Ewa Mackiewicz Secretary and Jadwiga Malinowska Treasurer.
In her address to the Concilium Linda Kozlowska, President of the Lublin Regia said that there were about 4,500 active legionaries in 27 Dioceses and the Bishops of 5 other Dioceses had granted permission for the Legion to start. The apostolate as described in the Handbook is carried out; there was a PPC project in the Czech Republic and spiritual encouragement is given. In his talk Fr. Janusz said that we cannot get into the souls of people without Our Lady. The Warsaw Comitium has 51 praesidia with a total membership of 438 and Praga Comitium has 42 praesidia with a membership of 474. On the previous day, fruitful discussions were held with some of the Concilium officers on the development of the Legion in Poland. Emphasis was put on extending the Legion in those areas where there is no Legion presence.
Tommy McCabe, President of Concilium, thanked the officers for coming to Ireland and wish the members of their councils many graces and blessings in their work for the Legion of Mary. Thanks were also expressed to Enda Dunleavy and Joby Stephens their correspondents.
Peregrinatio Pro Christo
Volunteers have now been assigned to the Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects. Some of the British projects are:
1. A team of 14 legionaries will work in Waterloo, Liverpool from 17 to 24 July;
2. A team of 12 legionaries will work in Birmingham from 24 to 31 July;
3. A team of 10 legionaries will work in Wigan, Liverpool from 31 July to 7 August; and
4. A team of 12 legionaries will work in Croydon from 7 to 14 August.
The British projects are going well and a Parish Priest wrote to the Committee expressing his gratitude for the great work done by the team in his parish.
Projects are also scheduled from Amsterdam, Holland to Belfast, Northern Ireland; Birmingham, England to Holland and Berlin, Germany; Scotland to Finland and Liverpool, England to Sweden.
Please pray for the success of all the projects and that all our legionaries will travel safely.
Annual Audits
“The Treasurer’s books shall be audited annually. It is suggested that two members of the praesidium or Council (as the case may be), other than the Treasurer, be appointed to that duty.” (Legion Handbook)
The attention of Council Officers is drawn to this requirement of the Handbook. Councils have the duty of seeing that this requirement is met. Curiae should ensure that the annual audit is carried out by each of its praesidia. Higher Councils should ensure that it is carried out by each of its affiliated praesidia and councils.
It is suggested that reference to the audit should be made in the annual reports of praesidia to their councils, and also during visitation of praesidia by councils. It seems desirable that the audit should be carried out at the same time each year. In the case of a praesidium it might be considered suitable to have it done when the annual report is being prepared.
It is also suggested that reference to the audit be made in the minutes of praesidia and councils and in reports of councils to higher councils. Correspondents are requested to draw the attention of councils to this requirement and to monitor minutes and reports with this in mind.
It is important that the audit should cover all income and expenditure and any monies on deposit and that the auditors verify, through current bank statements and/or actual cash in hand, the balance shown. The audit should also cover all financial transactions related to the works of praesidia, for example, sales of newspapers, books and magazines, clubs, Patricians, etc. and also financial transactions related to property, sales of Maria Legionis, Handbooks and other Legion literature, etc.
It is desirable that the auditors’ report be presented at a meeting of the praesidium or council. It would be of assistance to all councils in carrying out their responsibilities toward the praesidia and councils affiliated to them if copies of the auditors’ reports could be presented or forwarded to them.
“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.” (Legion Handbook).
Some Handbook Reflections
Prayer for the Beatification of
The Servant of God, Frank Duff
God our Father, You inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into the mystery of your Church, the Body of Christ, and of the place of Mary the Mother of Jesus in this mystery.
In his immense desire to share this insight with others and in filial dependence on Mary he formed her Legion to be a sign of her maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children in the Church’s evangelising work.
We thank you Father for the graces conferred on him and for the benefits accruing to the Church from his courageous and shining faith.
With confidence we beg you that through his intercession you grant the petition we lay before you …
We ask too that if it be in accordance with your will, the holiness of his life may be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of your Name,
through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
This prayer can be obtained from the Legion of Mary website
www.legion-of-mary.ie
All Legion Councils, praesidia and individual legionaries are encouraged to actively promote the Cause of the Servant of God, Frank Duff, through the widespread dissemination of the Frank Duff prayer leaflets, through the organising of Frank Duff prayer groups and the holding of Masses to commemorate his life.
If you need Frank Duff prayer leaflets, please contact the Concilium.
Favours attributed to the intercession of
The Servant of God, Frank Duff
Should be reported to:
Legion of Mary,
De Montfort House,
Morning Star Avenue,
North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7, IRELAND