Concilium Bulletin September 2010

Reports
ASIA
Myanmar
News from Mandalay tells of 2 Curiae attached and the Comitium looks after the Legion in most of the 5 Suffragan Dioceses.

Sri Lanka
A new Curia was set up by the Senatus in the presence of the Archbishop. In an area devastated by the tsunami, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus are met and one family was received into the Church. The Rosary was promoted in 15 parishes during a week in May.

Pakistan
No recent news has been received from Pakistan, other than from the Rawalpindi area (via the USA) in which the legionaries ask for prayers.

Kazakhstan
The Archbishop attended the Karaganda Curia meeting. Legionaries continue to visit the elderly, sick and disabled who cannot attend Mass and recite the Rosary with them. A three-day retreat for the junior praesidium was arranged.

India
Mumbai Regia recently established 3 new Curiae; evangelisation in hospitals is proving to be fruitful. Praetorian membership is widely promoted; a monthly Edel Quinn hour is organised; visitation to non-Christians continues and forgotten people are visited in hostels.
Pondicherry Senatus submitted its audit for 2009 and is exemplary in how it was carried out.

Visakhapatnam Comitium: Quarterly reports are taken from praesidia and councils. Visitation to non-Christians, orphans and hospitals as well as instruction work is carried out. The Telugu Handbook has been re-printed.

Thoothukudi Comitium: There are 12 praesidia and 15 Curiae directly affiliated to this Comitium. AIDs patients, lepers, non-Christians and Catholics are visited.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Comitium sent a composite report having 8 praesidia and 5 Curiae attached. They promote family prayer, visit homes and hospitals and assist at burial services. They also promote Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The 5 Curiae have between 6 and 15 praesidia attached.

Palayamakottai Comitium: 15 officers from 20 directly affiliated praesidia and 11 officers from 5 Curiae attended. The Youth Curia taught catechism to 40 students weekly, organised a bible study event for 10 days at which 85 boys and girls attended. A workshop on the Handbook was arranged.

Kottar Comitium with 28 Curiae attached has been asked to consider setting up more Comitia in the Diocese. They are looking to print the Tamil Handbook for their own requirements and have been asked to look into having Vexilla produced by local craftsmen.

Vietnam
In a remote mission territory made up of rivers and canals the legionaries have 9 senior praesidia with 116 members and 30 juniors. The Vinh Comitium has 21 senior Curiae and a junior Curia with 5,356 senior and 995 junior members.

Thailand
The Senatus President was impressed at the dedication of legionaries in a farming community who hold their meetings 5 a.m. Many people are encouraged back to practice of the faith. Prayer and Bible Study groups have been set up. Underprivileged children are taught regular school work at the weekends.

Mongolia
They report 16 Korean and Mongolian believers received the Sacrament of Confirmation in May.

Middle East

Lebanon
Studying the Handbook is emphasised for the Lebanese legionaries who are seeking Arabic and French Handbooks. 85% of legionaries attended a successful Congress.

Israel
Jerusalem Comitium with 7 praesidia and 4 Curiae started a new men’s praesidium in Rafidia where a women’s praesidium already exists. Efforts are being concentrated on starting the Legion in Catholic schools. The Handbook as a source of solving problems has been stressed.

EUROPE

Amsterdam
The printing of the Dutch Handbook is in its final stages and should be ready soon. This will greatly help the Legion in Holland, Belgium and the Surinames.

Brussels
A Triduum in Namur has an attendance of 1,000. An English-speaking African praesidium of 15 members organises a group of juniors called “Cadets de Marie”, 20 children aged 3-12 years, are taught the mysteries of the Rosary, bible stories, etc.

Denmark
A praesidium in Copenhagen has 12 members with an apostolate to prisoners; legionaries took part in a successful pilgrimage to Asebakken in honour of Our Lady, which was led by Bishop Czeslaw Kozon and 25 priests.

England
Birmingham Senatus: A conference for priests had an attendance of 7 priests and 3 deacons. Two legionaries spent a week on extension in Tipton and Dudley. Juniors wrote “thank you” cards to all the priests in the Archdiocese following the Year of the Priest. An apostolate to the gay community and travelers, a project in the red light district, the return of two lapsed Catholics to the Sacraments, teaching Catechism to children and two people received into the Church at Easter - all featured in the report.
Leicester Curia awaits ecclesiastical approval for affiliation to Birmingham.

Liverpool Senatus: A successful Congress was held in June, and the PPC Conference had an attendance of 140 including 9 priests.
Junior and intermediate members in Manchester Comitium helped to restart a new RCIA programme with the support of Spiritual Director Fr. Pat Tansey. Our Lady Star of the Sea praesidium in Warrington is progressing well having got their CRB clearance, and in the Isle of Man legionaries assist at Baptism and Confirmation courses.

Middleborough Comitium mention visits to Stockton prison for Eucharistic Service.

Brentwood Comitium: A new junior praesidium with 7 members has been established and a new praesidium in Chelmsford now has two officers. Hopes are high for a new praesidium in Epping following a PPC project.
Southwark Comitium: A praesidium in Gillingham hosted an afternoon tea for ladies from three local churches and the local Mosque - 50 attended. The senior praesidium in Camberwell, with 23 members, visits new converts, runs a junior and intermediate praesidium, teaches catechism and organises a monthly Rosary procession in the parish grounds. In Sydenham several people have returned to Mass and the Sacraments following home visitation. A praesidium in the Southwark Cathedral parish, with 8 members, visits an alcohol and drugs detox clinic and prays the Rosary with many lapsed Catholics who had lived a life of homelessness.

Westminster Curia: On the Feast of the Assumption a new praesidium was inaugurated in Clapton. Among the works mentioned are crowd contact in Soho Square, visits to brothels, Patricians, home visitation with a Pilgrim Virgin and a public Rosary at Speakers Corner.

Brent and Harrow Curia: Mother of Christ praesidium, Wembley held a Nativity Play in a nursing home and Muslim staff members participated.

West Middlesex Curia: Three praesidia reported and works include home and hospital visitation. One lady, a lapsed Catholic, returned to the Sacraments.

Hammersmith Curia: Of the two praesidia reporting, one has 14 active and 42 auxiliaries, this praesidium show the Legion DVD to parishioners on a regular basis. The other has 4 members with 12 auxiliaries and visits 5 old peoples’ homes and local hospitals.

Enfield and Harringey Curia: There were good reports received from Tottenham and Stroud Green.

France
Paris Regia is organising the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Legion in France, to be held in Nevers on 19th/21st November next. In June two new parish based praesidia were formally affiliated to the Regia.

Valence Regia: The former Spiritual Director, Bishop Planet of Cascassone, sent them a copy of his parish bulletin announcing a PPC project in Castlenaudray. The Vietnamese Curia in Lyon has 4 praesidia with an apostolate to the Vietnamese people in their homes, in hospital, etc. The Regia had a stand at a Missionary Day in July organised by the Bishop of Valance.

Dax Regia: This Regia comprises of 18 Dioceses with the Legion in only 4. One Curia is attached at Bordeaux and 8 praesidia are directly attached to the Regia which has responsibility of the Permanence in Lourdes.

Germany
Frankfurt Senatus has launched a new Legion Website for all of Germany. A commemorative ceremony was held marking the 100th birthday of Hilda Firtel, founder of the Legion in Germany. The Frankfurt Korean Curia has 12 praesidia attached and a new one started recently.
Cologne Regia has 2 Comitia, 5 Curiae and 9 praesidia attached. Three members assisted Munich in setting up a new praesidium in Haroldbach.

Comitium Freiburg report a new praesidium in Mosbach.

Munich Senatus is now a Regia attached to Frankfurt and Curia Deilingen reports extention efforts among the Brazilian community. Curia Amberg Welden has 11 praesidia, a Patrician meeting and a Nazareth group. A new praesidium started in Bad Goeggin. Bishop Dr. Gerhard Mueller celebrated Holy Mass at the Acies. Curia Teisendorf had 90 at a Curia retreat and Curia Ingolstadt distributed Miraculous Medals at a folk music festival.

Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Curia has 6 praesidia and together with the usual works of home and hospital visitation, they visit the prison and organise pilgrimages. Legionaries held an ecumenical outdoor Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, a procession for Corpus Christi and a Holy Hour every first Friday.

Norway
There are two praesidia in Norway, they held their first Acies together in March. The praesidium in Tonsberg had 6 members and 12 auxiliaries, and there are 8 members in Drammen with 12 auxiliaries. House to house Rosaries, teaching catechism, encouraging people to attend Mass regularly are among the works done.

Scotland
In Falkirk “Light a Candle Say a Prayer Day” on Wednesday of Holy Week when legionaries invited passers-by into the Church, was very successful. Our Lady Seat of Wisdom praesidium in the University of Glasgow has 10 members. Their recruiting efforts included a Cheese and Wine event for new students where the Legion DVD was shown, and did contact work at the bus station to mark Alfie Lamb’s anniversary, attend the Wayside Club, have a Patrician group, do home visitation with a Pilgrim Virgin statue, and a Chinese student, introduced to the Spiritual Director Fr. John Keenan, later became a Catholic.

Sweden
The praesidium in Malmo has 11 members from South America, Asia and Africa, they visit the sick and housebound, prepare children for the Sacrament and is planning a praesidium in Linkoping.

Switzerland

Curia Zurich has over 250 at their Acies at which Bishop Vitues Hounder celebrated Mass. Curia Luzern report an apostolate to the Mormons.

Wales

Swansea Curia has 4 praesidia attached and is in the care of Birmingham Senatus. Extension efforts are undertaken and their works include crowd contact, book-barrow and street rescue.
Cardiff Comitium attached to Liverpool Senatus reported good newspaper coverage following the Stations of the Cross through the City Centre at Easter.

MEXICO

Mexico City Senatus
In the course of home-to-home visitation, many families agreed to have their homes consecrated to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A number of catechist legionaries prepare children for the Sacraments. Legionaries gave a picture of Our Lady to a prisoner wrongfully imprisoned and prayed with him. To his surprise and in answer to prayer he was released.

Merida Senatus
Over the last few months 6 praesidia, 4 Curiae and 4 Comitia reported. The 2009 Senatus audit has been received. A Comitium with 52 Curiae has set us two more Comitia. The main works are street contact and home visitation. Many young people met are not baptized. Five families returned from the sects to the practice of the faith, three children were baptized and 2 joined the Legion. A new Curia was set up on the outskirts of Merida city.

Guadalajara Regia
Junior praesidia are recruiting new members and setting up praesidia. The Miraculous Medal and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe is promoted on home visitation.

Leon Regia
A junior Curia set up a new praesidium. Young adults were prepared and received First Holy Communion. Legionaries lead the Rosary and prayers at wakes.

Acapulco Regia
Since their last report 9 praesidia, 3 Curiae including a junior Curia gave an account of their work, which includes for one praesidium that the dying receive a visit from the priest while another explains the value of the Sacrament of Confession. The prison praesidium successfully encouraged prisoners to return to the Catholic Faith from different sects.

Hermosillo Regia
The Officers met the Archbishop who agreed to appoint a new Spiritual Director; two new praesidia were set up. The new praesidium in the Women’s prison has 22 members and the atmosphere in the prison has improved considerably since the legionaries started contact work.

Durango Regia
The attached Comitium of Soto Maynes visits mental patients and AIDS sufferers. The secretary to the prison praesidium visited the May meeting and spoke of the value of Legion membership while he was in prison. The prison praesidium gave its first report. The prison Acies had an attendance of about 50-60. The Bishop also visited them.

Monterrey Regia
Back to basics with 5 minutes daily study of the Handbook is undertaken. Novel works in Saltillo Comitium include films on famous priests - the Cure of Ars, Padre Pio, etc., young adults recruited for a new praesidium, a mission type project to rural areas.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Honduras Senatus
Several praesidia, senior and junior, were set up in all councils including a Comitium in the Regia of Aanta Ana. Home visitation resulted in large numbers returning to the practice of the faith from the different sects. Following visitation of a brothel four girls left the life.

Guatamala Camotan Regia
Legionaries and Regia Officers appreciated the visit by 2 legionaries from the Senatus of Merida on behalf of Concilium. The exchange of ideas and experiences were very helpful. Two senior and one junior Curiae have been set up recently. The junior movement in the Camotan area is very strong largely due to their very active Spiritual Director, Fr. Rogelio.

Nicaragua Regia of Managua
Legionaries accompany the priest to celebrate Mass in the homes of the sick and then make contact with the rest of the family. Auxiliaries are reminded of the value of their membership.

Panama Comitium
A Curia in the Diocese of Penonome set up 4 praesidia. Auxiliaries are encouraged to help with distribution of material relief. An Exploratio Dominicalis project was carried out in an area of very little religious practice. Legionaries emphasized the role of Our Lady in their visits. Regligious instruction is given in schools. 26 Baptisms, 48 First Holy Communions and 9 Marriages took place.

AFRICA

Benin
Cotonou Regia: The Regia governs 5 Comitia, 52 Curiae with a total of 559 praesidia and the Legion is in all six Dioceses, 5 of which have Comitia. Reports deal with excellent accounts of home and hospital visitation and an active apostolate to youth. Great efforts are made to recruit children into junior praesidia.

Burkina Faso
Ouagadougon legionaries were informed of a campaign by Protestant Evangelists to gather children weekly for food, to offer them sponsorship and material help. Fr. Kiswandono in his Allocutio spoke of Frank Duff and his struggle against proselytism. Junior legionaries enrolled three blind people for catechetical instruction and one blind girl in the Legion. The juniors also visited the Moro Naaba who is Paramount Chief of the Mossi Tribe. Gounghin Curia in the course of its extensive visitation work called on 494 Mulsim homes and visited 326 sick Muslims.

Congo Republic
Brazzaville Regia have set up 3 new Comitia and reduced its directly dependent Curiae from 19 to 13. They say the Frank Duff prayer at the end of their meetings.

Ivory Coast
Many Muslims converted and some joined the Legion.

Guinea
Conakry Comitium: The Comitium governs 11 Curiae and 14 praesidia. A Congress for the Legion in Guinee was held in February 2009.

Cameroon/Chad
The Acies was held by all Councils. The junior Curia Cotonou has 5 praesidia with a total of 131 members and 2 Frank Duff children’s clubs at which 62 children attend. Retreats, consecration of homes to the Sacred Heart and True Devotion are some of the works mentioned in reports. Curia Regina Pacis started 2 new junior praesidia.

New Regia in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Concilium approved that the Assumpta Comitium in Campo Grande be raised to Regia to govern the Legion in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), which is situated in the western part of the Sao Paulo Senatus area. The Archbishop of Campo Grande has given his approval and the installation of the Regia will take place on the 30th October 2010. There will be five Comitia affiliated to it.

The new Regia will govern the Legion in the Archdiocese of Campo Grande and its five Suffragan Dioceses: Corumba, Coxim, Dourados, Jardim and Tres Lagoas. The Archbishop wishes the Regia to be known by the Portuguese title Nossa Senhora da Assuncao. It will be affiliated to the Sao Paulo Senatus.

Election of Concilium Officer

At the August 2010 Concilium meeting, nominations were sought for the office of Assistant Secretary of Concilium with responsibility for Ireland and Europe, as Rose Caulfield had completed her 3-year term. She was proposed and seconded and as there were no other nominations, she was duly elected Assistant Secretary for a second 3-year term. Tommy McCabe thanked her for agreeing to take on this onerous office for a second term.

Election of Concilium Treasurer

Nominations were sought for the office of Treasurer to the Concilium Legionis Mariae. Mary Murphy was proposed and seconded and as there were no other nominations, she was duly elected Treasurer for a 3-year period. Tommy McCabe thanked her for her generosity in letting her name go forward and wished her every grace and blessing. He also thanked the outgoing Treasurer, Janet Lowthe, for her untiring services rendered to the Concilium, particularly in her capacity as Treasurer.

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