Concilium Bulletin April 2011
Concilium Bulletin April 2011
Africa
UGANDA
Uganda Senatus: Contacts are made wherever people are encountered resulting in many receiving the Sacraments, conversions, including some Muslims, marriage regularisations, lapsed returned and a large number of councils and praesidia started. Attendance is generally good at events including those promoting the causes. A Spiritual Directors’ Conference held from 17th - 20th August with 75 priests present was opened by one Bishop and concluded by another. The theme was “The Legionary Apostolate”. Five members including the Senatus President participated in a Congress in Burundi at the request of the Legion there. Reports from the prisons included news of a legionary in one prison who when transferred to another started the Legion there.
KENYA
Kenya Senatus: Nairobi junior Curia with 10 praesidia, set up 2 praesidia.
Kisumu Regia reported the setting up of 5 new Curiae, 8 junior praesidia and one senior praesidium by its attached Comitia. Following visitation of families 4,030 babies were baptised, 1,733 adults returned to the sacraments, 367 Protestants were baptised, 390 former legionaries returned to membership, 185 alcoholics took the pledge, 10 of 30 street girls gave up the life and 12 witchdoctors burned their equipment.
MALAWI
Blantyre Senatus: The Legion continues to grow and has 13 directly attached praesidia, 21 Curiae, 19 Comitia and 4 Regiae. There are about 84,000 active members in the country. Archbishop Ziyaye celebrated a Mass for Legionaries in August at which he urged members, by their witness, to encourage others to join. Works include visiting the sick and elderly and encouraging the lapsed to return to practice and parents to have their children baptised.
NIGERIA
Ibadan Senatus: One Curia helped organise a Mass wedding for 18 couples. As the main junior work seems to be cleaning churches, the correspondent has encouraged work with seniors and among their own age group. Another Curia reported 11 marriages blessed and one lapsed returned.
Enugu Senatus: Abakaliki and Nsukka Regiae were both inaugurated.
Aba Regia recruited 1,440 members, establishing 5 new Curiae in the last year. They report many received into the Church and prepared for the sacraments also their contact with street girls and Sunday traders is fruitful.
A Comitium attached to Onitsha Regia held a Congress, reported many prepared for the Sacraments, couples encouraged to have their marriages blessed and reports indicate great participation, achievements and follow up on Exploratio projects.
Abuja Regia: A new Curia has been formed which will leave the Regia with a more manageable 16 Praesidia. A Comitium reported 108 conversions including 27 Muslims, 141 lapsed returned, 18 marriages rectified and 15 praesidia started.
Jos Regia: -One Comitium recruited 412, prepared 162 for Baptism, 2,972 for 1st Holy Communion, 1,753 for Confirmation. The recent trouble in the Jos area has caused many difficulties for legionaries and the January Regia meeting could not be held.
The Legion in Ikot Ekpene Regia is experiencing tremendous growth, reports show many candidates prepared for the Sacraments, marriages blessed, conversion and returns to the Sacraments.
Lagos Regia: One Comitium formed 8 praesidia and a junior Curia and 5 praesidia started at a police barracks are attached to the Regia. One Comitium had 263 marriages rectified.
TANZANIA
Dar-Es-Salaam Comitium: One Curia, which visits homes and hospitals had 37 marriages regularised, 3 lapsed returned and many received the Sacraments. Two praesidia were set up and 3 weak ones strengthened. The 32 members in Segerea Senior Seminary work within the Seminary. A retreat and Pilgrimage in January were well attended. The Comitium Chairperson was elected Treasurer of the Tanzanian Laity Council.
Hai Moshi Comitium: Reports include teaching children prayers, home/hospital visitation with many returns to the Sacraments and marriages blessed. Following visits to 2 illicit brew dealers, they gave up the business! The Comitium is active extending, visiting schools, the Seminary and attached praesidia and Curiae.
Njombe Comitium: Activities include visiting the sick, teaching Catechism, promoting prayer for peace resulting in returns to the Church and marriage regularisations.
Kahama Comitium: They have 957 active Legionaries and among their works are visiting the sick, teaching catechism, promoting devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, promoting Frank Duff’s cause and 145 received the Sacrament of the sick before death. Juniors teach children the Rosary and 3 junior praesidia were revived.
THE GAMBIA
Banjul Curia continues efforts to establish more praesidia. Less than 10% are Christian and illiteracy is a challenge. The Curia is promoting the Frank Duff prayer to the Christian Community and one praesidium reported 3 favours.
LIBERIA
An Irish priest going to work in Monrovia in January brought correspondence with him. He subsequently rang to say the Curia is functioning and he has a praesidium of 20 members. Communication is a problem. In April a number of minutes were received, the latest August 2010. Elections were held in June 2009.
Europe
PORTUGAL
Lisbon Senatus: Columban drives in Lisbon resulted in three new praesidia. A Praesidium with 17 active members has an apostolate to the homeless and to prostitutes. Cascais Comitium with 16 directly attached praesidia places its emphasis on evangelisation on home visitation and catechesis of adults and children. The praesidium at Evora with 10 active and 75 auxiliary members has 3 Praetorians. They visit the sick at home and in hospital and bring them Holy Communion. Porto Curia with 27 attached praesidia plans to divide and is carrying out extension in 3 parishes. Legionaries in The Azores are preparing young people for world youth day in Madrid. The Legion Pilgrimage to Fatima had an attendance of 25,000.
SPAIN
Madrid Senatus: The Pesca Joven or “Fishing for Youth” work, where older legionaries contact young people, reported that 541 young people were contacted of whom 104 practise their religion. Most young people accept the Miraculous Medal, a small copy of the Gospels and an invitation to attend the World Youth Day to be celebrated by the Holy Father in Madrid in August. Another novel work is the contacting of workers in market gardens and later visiting them in their homes. Padre Carlos, Senatus Spiritual Director, gave an inspiring allocutio on the charisma of Frank Duff. He also encourages legionaries to keep in close contact with their bishops to keep them informed of the Legion apostolate in their dioceses. Salamanca Comitium is contacting the youth in preparation for the Pope’s visit. Legionaries in Avila make a special effort to help newly arrived immigrants, mostly from South America. Zamora Comitium has just started retreats for non-Catholics.
Barcelona Senatus: As well as visiting the sick in their homes, legionaries accompany them to the doctor or hospital if they so wish. The same praesidium has 38 very faithful auxiliaries. The Senatus is progressing the setting up of praesidia in two different parishes.
Bilbao Senatus: A praesidium reported that they carry out an apostolate to the immigrants. Some of them have no work and very little money. They are very grateful for the concern and help of the legionaries.
ITALY
Milan Regia had a big attendance at the Edel Quinn Anniversary Mass held in the Genoa Cemetery Chapel, which Edel visited on her journey to Africa in 1936. Padova Comitium: Lana Curia had great success with a book barrow on the streets during the summer.
CYPRUS
Two Maltese legionaries visited the Legion in Cyprus in November and were given a very warm welcome. This was the first ever visit to them on behalf of Concilium. They had meetings with the officers and members of the four praesidia and gave them advise and encouragement. The legionaries promote the Rosary and visit homes with the statue of Our Lady. They pray with and offer comfort and consolation to the residents of rest homes for the elderly. A jail in Nicosia is visited. Lapsed Catholics met on crowd contact are encouraged to return to the sacraments. It is hoped to start a new Praesidium in the Kerynia District.
MALTA
Malta Regia: During 2010 Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects were undertaken to Rome, Padova, Tunisia, and Birmingham. Works reported include contact with tourists, consecration of homes to the Sacred Heart, visits to Primary Schools with the statue of Our Lady, teaching catechism, home visitation, and after-care of auxiliaries. During the summer months between 10 and 17 children attended a weekly discussion on the True Devotion followed by games and attendance at Mass in a nearby Church. One praesidium holds a weekly meeting for 12-year olds who were recently confirmed. The junior Curiae activities included a twilight retreat with an attendance of 33 juniors and 24 at a Bar BQ. Three Columban drives in two parishes yielded the names of 12 prospective members.
Countries under the Caretaker-ship of Malta
TURKEY
The Archbishop in Istanbul asked Fr. Anton Bulai, Spiritual Director of Istanbul Curia, to speak at the monthly meeting of priests on his visit to the Concilium and of the value of having a Praesidium in the parish.
GREECE
The Malta correspondent, Monsignor Borg and another legionary met the Archbishop of Athens who supports the Legion. The Cathedral Parish praesidium was visited. Its Spiritual Director is the Vicar General. They also met 2 legionaries from Thessalonica who reported on the 2 praesidia there. Permission was sought to set up a praesidium among the Albanian community in Athens.
ALBANIA
Shkoder Comitium was asked to send reports in English.
United States of America and Canada
UNITED STATES
St. Louis Senatus: New members have been recruited and new praesidia set up. Three praesidia are in prisons and one held a weekend retreat. Returns to the Sacraments, Baptisms and reception into the Church reported.
Houston Senatus: Home and prison visitation featured in reports. A new praesidium was set up. The Spanish Comitium reported work among street people and had 264 enthronements to the Sacred Heart in 3 months. The Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean Curiae work among their own people, many of their praesidia average 14 members. They are a great support to their communities, organising many church-related events. Retreats, prayer groups, and in the case of the Chinese, on Fridays during Lent, the Way of the Cross are organised. An “E” day was held resulting in 548 doors being knocked upon, 199 contacts were made including 53 Catholics and 108 non-Catholics.
Chicago Senatus: Contact work was done at petrol stations, railways and prison visitation. A Korean Comitium reported 12 conversion, 3 Baptisms and 2 Marriage validations. New praesidia have been started and 4 members were each assigned to extend in a parish. The theme for the May Gathering this year is “The Charism of Frank Duff”. A Comitium held a Congress; a praesidium which supervises two junior groups visit a correctional centre in downtown Chicago; another group do home to home visitation and visits handicapped people in their area.
Philadelphia Senatus: A praesidium, which gave its first annual report has 14 members and is made up of mostly young adults. They organised the 33-day preparation for undertaking True Devotion to Mary at which 20 parishioners participated. Norristown Comitium organised a 3-day retreat for homeless men that attend their Brother House facility, which they run twice a week. Work is done in prisons and hospitals. A Marian day had 200 legionaries attending. Children are prepared to receive the Sacraments. One person returned to the Sacraments six months before dying. Contact at book-barrows resulted in returns to the Sacraments. A seminary praesidium has 17 members, 4 Praetorians, 22 Auxiliaries and 8 Adjutorians and works in parishes, schools and institutions. The juniors in one Curia help with weekly Spanish speaking students in English Catholic Christian Doctrine classes and gained 3 new members.
New York Senatus: A new Spiritual Director has been appointed. Many returns to the Sacraments are reported. Reports tell of a number of babies saved from abortion and of Marriages validated, enthronement to the Sacred Heart, home and hospital visitation. A Rosary group was formed in an office.
San Francisco Senatus: Works undertaken include RCIA and Patricians. An atheist was taught the Rosary in Chinese. A Mass with the Sacrament of Marriage was organised for 10 couples. Idaho Comitium was interviewed on Catholic Radio. Mission Excelsior Curia drew up a team of legionaries whose work assignment was to form new praesidia. They now have 6 praesidia in formation.
Miami Regia: There is interest in the Legion in Birmingham and Alabama.
CANADA
Montreal Senatus has 1 Comitium, 10 Curiae and 12 attached praesidia. Reports were received on Baptisms and visiting the sick.
Toronto Regia: Montreal Senatus was visited on behalf of Concilium. True Devotion is promoted. One praesidium is aiming for one million Rosaries by 2010. A Hindu woman and prisoner converted to Catholicism. Reaching the less well off via winter tables and street patrols resulted in 35 conversions. The Rosary is taught in schools. North Toronto Curia includes Portuguese, Vietnamese and Cantonese praesidia. Winnipeg has a new praesidium.
Vancouver Comitium: A convert is now an active member. In one praesidium the members recruited 1,500 auxiliaries. Prisons are visited, Marriages regularised and Baptisms organised. Another praesidium organised Divine Mercy Sunday and there was an attendance of 30 people. A Hungarian praesidium does contact on buses.
Ontario Senatus: Auxiliary members are very faithful at attending Legion functions. The sick are visited.
WEST INDIES
Santiago de los Caballeros Senatus: The Comitium Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia with 3 Curiae, 18 senior and 2 junior praesidia has 447 members. Unmarried couples were prepared for Marriage; visitation is undertaken in homes and prisons also to the sick in hospital and at home. Eleven unmarried couples were prepared for marriage and married. A woman, lapsed from the Church and separated from the father of her children, was reconciled, received all the sacraments, and joined the Legion. A very sick man was received back into the church before death. Two other Comitia are involved in similar works. A number of lapsed were instructed, returned to the sacraments, and are now legionaries. Children are prepared for First Holy Communion and adults for Confirmation. Plans are being formed to visit areas where there is no Legion. Masses for the Causes of Venerable Edel Quinn and the Servant of God, Frank Duff were held.
TRINIDAD
Trinidad Regia: One Curia reported 28 Praetorian members.
HAITI
Senatus Notre Dame de l’Assomption: The Senatus has now returned to its headquarters following the earthquake. Works include visitation of homes, hospitals, prisons and markets. Patrician meetings are held and they accompany the priest to visit the sick. Many have returned to the Church.
PUERTO RICO
Senatus of Puerto Rico: This council has 7 Comitia, 6 Curiae and 7 attached praesidia. Juniors work with seniors on home visitation, Rosaries are taken to the parents of children who are receiving catequesis; they also assist with legal and government affairs and help older people with their bills.
Election of Concilium Assistant Secretary
Nominations were sought for the office of Assistant Secretary of the Concilium, as Catherine Murphy had completed her second term. Alice Creaton was proposed and seconded and as there were no other nominations, she was duly elected Assistant Secretary of the Concilium. Tommy McCabe, President of Concilium, thanked Catherine Murphy for her 6 years of service as a Concilium officer and wished Alice Creaton every grace and blessing on her election.
Parish Visitation Project
The Concilium heard a report on a home visitation project in St. Canice’s Parish, Finglas, Dublin, during the period 9 - 16 April 2011. Following an appeal from the parish priest, 145 legionaries from all over the Archdiocese of Dublin, devoted some days or some hours to visiting every home in several areas of this large parish. The main object was to draw people more closely into the life of the parish and they were invited to register with the parish. The legionaries distributed information on Mass times and times of Confession and Baptism. They also distributed cards with information on Church ceremonies during Holy Week and Easter. Information on organisations and groups and on various activities in the parish in which people might like to get involved, was provided also. Over 4,000 homes were visited and the legionaries were very impressed by the friendly reception they received. The project had the full support of the Parish Pastoral Council and parishioners gave unselfishly of their time to provide catering and transport for the legionaries. Most Reverend Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, concelebrated the Mass for Passion Sunday in St. Canice’s Church on Saturday evening 16 April, and thanked the legionaries and the parishioners for their work during the project, which finished that day. The project was backed by much prayer and we thank Jesus and Mary for their care throughout this memorable evangelisation project.
Visit by Officers of Dromore Comitium, Ireland
The Officers of the Dromore Comitium, Ireland, Mary Cookson, President; Breege O’Rourke, Vice President; Mary Medlicott, Secretary; Hubert McCavitt, Treasurer and from the North Dromore Curia Mary Watkins, President; Eileen McGinnitty, Secretary; Ann Fitzpatrick, Treasurer; Kay Hill, Assistant Treasurer visited the Concilium on Saturday 2nd April 2011. During the meeting with Concilium Officers the strengths of the Legion in the Diocese was reviewed and suggestions on the development of the Legion in their area were discussed. Tommy McCabe, President of Concilium thanked the officers for all the work they are doing for Our Lady and invited them to come to the Concilium meeting as often as possible and all provincial council officers.
I see his blood upon the rose,
And in the stars the glory of his eyes.
His body gleams amid eternal snows.
His tears fall from the skies.
I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice - and carven by his powers.
Rocks are his written words.
All pathways by his feet are worn.
His strong heart stirs the ever beating sea.
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
Joseph Mary Plunkett
(Inside back cover of the Handbook)
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, I