Concilium Bulletin January 2026
REPORTS
DUBLIN NORTHSIDE
Queen of Peace Curia
The main works of the Curia continue to be twice-weekly street contact, weekly volunteering in the Morning Star kitchen, and regular visits to Cuan Mhuire. A woman who was threatening suicide met legionaries, agreed to go to confession, and was accompanied to St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral where she made her confession. A man from Goa, first met in October, has been attending praesidium meetings and plans to take part in street contact for the first time in the new year. A non-Catholic contact was baptised and confirmed on November 16th and intends to join the Legion of Mary in the new year. A Curia member gave a Miraculous Medal to a woman with a serious medical issue, and subsequent tests showed the problem had completely cleared, with the doctor describing it as a miracle, after which the woman requested more Miraculous Medals for her friends and family. A Pentecostal contact has continued weekly catechesis in St. Saviour’s, and is due to receive the Rite of Welcome in January. Two other members are due to take their Legion Promise. The Curia annual reunion event in December had fifty (50) people in attendance including four (4) priests. There were nine (9) legionaries out on street contact on each of the first two Saturdays of the new year with strong contacts made, including a Catholic who became Pentecostal but is being helped back to the Catholic Church and is meeting a priest next week. Two Curia officers represented the Legion of Mary at celebrations for Sr. Consilio, who founded Cuan Mhuire.
Consolata Curia
Monthly Curia street contact has continued throughout the year and is planned for Malahide in January. The parish priest of Lusk has agreed to a recruiting weekend in the parish in the new year, with a view to establishing a praesidium. The November Frank Duff prayer meeting in St. Cronan’s had an attendance of five (5) legionaries while the December meeting was attended by seven (7) legionaries and one parishioner. Legionaries on home visitation encounter many people of all ages who are not attending Mass or the sacraments. They encourage these contacts to return to the Church with a special emphasis on Confession and the Eucharist. Legionaries spoke to a recovering addict - who admitted he was struggling - about the Mass and the strength he would receive from the Eucharist. The man allowed a Miraculous Medal to be placed around his neck. Another man said he was away from the Church for forty (40) years and had been a Jehovah Witness. He accepted a Miraculous Medal and rosary beads. Another praesidium visits nursing homes where they pray the Rosary and Legion of Mary prayers and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Members also carry out home visitation with the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and assist the parish with organising for the monthly Two Hearts devotions and Eucharistic Adoration. The title of the Patricians for November was ‘Why did Jesus come?’. Six (6) legionaries, two (2) parishioners and Fr. Joseph Hao attended.
Veneranda Curia
An enjoyable Curia reunion was held in December. Members visit the grave of now servant of God Frank Duff’s grave and pray the rosary and Legion of Mary prayers on the last Sunday of the month. Mother of Divine Grace praesidium, which was set up in Ballygall in June 2024, after the Legion carried out a recruiting drive, presented their annual report. The praesidium has six (6) active members, three (3) probationary members and two (2) auxiliaries. The four (4) officer positions are filled. The main work is home visitation where people are encouraged to return to Mass and the sacraments and to pray the rosary. Members lead a public outdoor rosary during the month of May and are assisting Curia with the new praesidium recently established in Ballymun parish. The Curia spiritual director Fr. O’Cuív delivered a very inspirational report on his Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project experience to Swansea last summer. He hopes to go again, God willing and encouraged the members to go too, especially those who have never gone.
Bethlehem Curia
The quarterly Venerable Edel Quinn meeting was held in December, where all nine (9) attendees received a blessing with Edel Quinn’s cross. Monthly Curia street contact, recommended by Concilium in January was carried out in all of the twelve (12) months of 2025. There was a regular attendance – six to nine (6-9) members - and many good contacts were made during the year. Home visitation is continuing, as is weekly recruiting with book barrow outside Legion house in Mountjoy Square.
Exaltata Curia
Legionaries joined in the singing and fun as well as some dancing at the Curia reunion in December. The recent recruitment drive in Cabra went well. Legionaries addressed the congregation at weekend Masses and were available after Mass also. Twelve (12) contacts were noted which resulted in three (3) new auxiliary members. The main work of a praesidium with nine (9) active members is volunteering in the Regina Coeli hostel. Duties include general administrative as well as preparing and serving dinner to the residents and subsequent clean-up. They also pray the rosary with the residents and chat with them about the different challenges in their lives, of which there are many. These (3) residents need a lot of support and care to help them navigate the difficult seasons of their life. The legionaries are committed to be there for them spiritually or if they need to talk to someone. Some members of the praesidium also help at additional times in the hostel at the weekends and overnight as the hostel has been experiencing a decline in the number of indoor sisters in the last while.
Porta Coeli Curia
Porta Coeli Curia has four (4) praesidia. In December 2025, an adult was received into the Catholic Church after undergoing the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) course, and another adult plus her three (3) children are doing the same course, thanks to visitation carried out by local legionaries. Works include home and nursing home visitation, promoting Enthronement of The Sacred Heart, distributing Miraculous Medals, and visiting parishioners who are ill and helping them with prescriptions. Holy Communion is brought to the housebound. Auxiliaries are visited and one hundred (100) copies of Maria Legionis are distributed every quarter.
Presentata Curia
Advent retreat in November and annual reunion in December were both well attended, as was the Rosary at the Crib in O’Connell Street. The junior praesidium has five (5) members who wrote to a nursing home asking permission to visit, which they were given. On their first visit in December, they prayed the rosary with the residents. A Curia recruitment drive is planned for January. The main work of a praesidium-with thirteen (13) active members, two (2) probationers and twelve (12) auxiliaries-is in the Morning Star hostel and the adjoining mens’ shed, where they organise bible study, Irish lessons, quizzes, musical entertainment, darts, summer outings and summer barbecue and the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. They also organise for daily Eucharistic Adoration and forty (40) hours Eucharistic Adoration in November. Another praesidium also volunteers in the Morning Star hostel and mens’ shed. They witness to residents who have similar addictions as they have and explain how their faith and trust in Jesus and Mary helped them to overcome these addictions. They also engage with residents in Cuan Mhuire and other treatment centres and distribute Miraculous Medals and Rosary beads. A Curia fundraising céilí will be held in Nazareth Hall on Saturday January 31st.
IRELAND PROVINCIAL
COMITIA
Down and Connor Comitium
Our Lady’s Rosary Festival was blessed to have Bishop Alan McGuckian present at the final Rosary procession, the fruits of which continue. A women’s praesidium, Our Lady of Good Counsel praesidium, has started up, encouraging female membership. Our Lady Mirror of Justice praesidium organised a hugely appreciated talk on the Shroud of Turin. Our Lady Queen of Peace praesidium began new street contact in the Waterworks area focusing on details of the Catholic Faith. With help from the parish priest of St. Luke’s, three (3) neighbouring praesidia came together to form a one strong praesidium of eleven (11) members to enhance collaboration in the family of parishes, reflecting the diocesan direction of grouping churches within given areas of the city. The numbers at Morning Star praesidium have recovered thanks to the work of two Comitium officers in its development and focus on homeless men in the hostel. Comitium planning has put conversion at the heart of everything they do. They promoted Confession last year so outreach to people of all backgrounds to embrace the Catholic Faith is central to this year’s work. The third of the ‘3 Cs’ -consolation - will not be overlooked however.
Navan Comitium
Members carry out Legion works including home and nursing home visitation, book barrow, street contact and visiting auxiliaries, people who have recently been bereaved and people who are sick. Some members attended the Frank Duff Summer School. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception praesidium has between five and seven (5 – 7) members plus ten (10) auxiliaries. Three (3) members went on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC). ‘Our Lady of the Nativity’ junior praesidium, with twelve (12) active members and an attendance of eighty- five percent (85%), gave its annual report. Assisted by adult members, works include distribution of Miraculous Medals, Rosary leaflets, Faith cards, Alive papers and Holy Water. Public Rosaries were prayed at Kilcock Square, the Hill of Tara and Navan Shopping Centre. Carols were sung over the Christmas season in churches and outdoors. A Legion of Mary movie night was organised. Members tended local graveyards during November.
Raphoe Comitium
Attendance was good at the October Comitium meeting. The president and secretary visited the Atlantic Technological University in Letterkenny on Volunteers’ Day, distributing three hundred (300) Miraculous Medals to staff and students. They were well received by all they met. One student informed them that there is no Catholic organisation in the college. The chaplain said she could help to set up a ‘group’ and the legionaries are following this up in hopes of starting a new praesidium. Southwest Curia held their annual retreat, an informative and joyful Spirit-filled event.
Derry Comitium
The Comitium has three (3) Curiae with six (6), eight (8) and five (5) praesidia. Fifty- two (52) attended the annual retreat. A recruiting drive in Bellaghy resulted in a new praesidium of five (5) members. Two (2) officers are attending meetings for now, to offer help in getting it well established. A praesidium in Waterside has six (6) members and twenty (20) auxiliaries. Six (6) classes preparing for First Holy Communion were visited. Home, bereavement and Pilgrim Statue visitation continue. Mater Dei Curia in Donegal/Tyrone has eight (8) praesidia with forty- five (45) members. They recently completed certified diocesan safeguarding training. Home, nursing home and bereavement visits form part of works done while the Rosary is promoted in parishes and on the street. Miraculous Medals are distributed in primary and secondary schools. Two members went on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) projects.
CURIAE
Drogheda Curia
Some auxiliaries joined the Curia retreat. A book barrow apostolate was held in the Laurence Centre in October. The praesidium at Laytown prays the Rosary in Bettystown nursing home. On home visitation legionaries met a mother who wants to become Catholic and have her three (3) sons baptised. One legionary will sponsor the family and the mother commenced RCIA. The praesidium at Clogherhead visited twenty- six (26) families with baptismal certificates and Miraculous Medals. Legionaries have spoken to classes preparing for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and confirmation and invited them to their local churches for Stations of the Cross during Lent. The annual ‘Rosary by the Sea’ took place to pray for those working or lost at sea. At the Curia meeting in November, members discussed the current state of praesidia. An all-out recruitment drive was proposed aided by the spiritual help of Eucharistic Adoration.
Leitrim/ Longford Curia
Our Lady of Guadalupe praesidium, Carrick-on Shannon has four (4) members. Their works include weekly public Rosary, with Divine Mercy and Holy Face prayers which attract passers-by, delivery of four hundred (400) copies of The Key newspaper, with help from members in Leitrim Village, Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon. They pray the Rosary in three (3) wards of the local hospital. They have organised the Acies for three (3) years in a row in St. Mary’s Church. The Curia has already prepared their events calendar for 2026 after a busy 2025 which included, in recent months, public Rosaries in five (5) locations, prayer in, and tending of, graveyards, prayer against suicide, Patrician meetings, monthly book stand, all night reparation vigils, wide distribution of prayer packs and Deus et Patria activity in Longford. Exploratio Dominicalis may replace one Maria et Patria (MEP) project this year. A few members feel the work needs to be more evenly spread while two (3) praesidia have big home commitments.
Armagh Curia
With six (6) praesidia, one intermediate praesidium and two (2) junior praesidia
attached.Armagh report a new praesidium in Aughnacloy. One member was on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project in Southend parish in 2025. Twelve (12) people took up the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme as a result. Works include home and housebound visitation, First Saturday devotions and nursing home Rosary. Juniors and intermediates pray the Rosary in three (3) care homes and sang carols at Christmas for residents. They lead Stations of the Cross during Lent. Miraculous Medals were given out at all Masses on November 27. Priests read the Consecration Prayer to Our Lady. They plan to repeat their auxiliary rally.
Dromore Curia
The praesidium in Newry has thirteen (13) legionaries and a Spiritual Director. Members visit the schools giving out gift sets of Miraculous Medals, Rosary beads and explanatory leaflets, and show a film about the Miraculous Medal film. They visit the Mercy nursing praesidium. The praesidium at Craigavon carries out all Legion of Mary works and holds a popular tea dance once a month. The praesidium at Hilltown carries out home visitation distributing Miraculous Medals and also engaging people in conversation while doing so. The praesidium at Rostrevor is the second of two praesidia to close recently in Dromore.
Clonmacnoise Curia
The praesidium at Mount Temple continues nursing home and house visitation. They promote and help organise for Eucharistic Adoration twice a week and pray particularly for vocations. The praesidium in Athlone organises for and participates in weekly Rosary in two nursing homes and a visit to a care centre in Athlone. They organised Rosaries for deceased legionaries in parish cemeteries during November. The junior praesidium put on a display of artwork on religious themes in Queen of Peace Church, Athlone. This praesidium is growing fast with new families getting involved, delighting senior members. They also organise First Saturday Devotions and distribute Miraculous Medals at the Mass on each First Saturday. Curia reunion is planned for February while an increase in recruiting tops the agenda for the coming year.
Kilmore Curia
The first Curia meeting since Covid was held on December 4th in St. Clare’s, Cavan town with twelve (12) members and Spiritual Director present. Nursing homes are visited for Rosary and other prayers with residents. The lonely, homebound or disabled are visited. Legionaries are welcomed as there may be no other visitors for days. Rosaries were recited and Miraculous Medals given to passers-by outside Cavan post office on December 8th. Work on prayer packs has commenced for all classes preparing for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and confirmation classes. These packs include Miraculous medals, Rosary beads and leaflets. The praesidium at Belturbet, with twelve (12) members, do similar works and organise a monthly youth Mass which over twenty (20) children attend. Their Spiritual Director has been a Legion devotee for over fifty (50) years. Curia plans to assist the praesidium at Ballyjamesduff in 2026.
Dundalk Curia
Curia continued to meet in Kilsaran and took an active part in all church, parish and some school activities, during the Advent and Christmas seasons, particularly in Dundalk. Recruiting will be the focus of the Curia in 2026.
Clogher Curia
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report
EUROPE B
GERMANY
Frankfurt Senatus
Kazakstan
Two (2) Kazak legionaries visited Siberia; the praesidia of Bogotol, Atschink and Krasnojarsk, which face great difficulties. A Marian Consecration is planned for Frankfurt Cathedral on February 2nd 2026, Feast of the Presentation.
NORWAY
The young praesidia are fostering Catholic marriages, visiting hospitals and carrying out prison visitation, assisting with sacramental preparation and organising Sunday outings. The praesidium is under the assistance of the officers of the Curia Oslo during a six-month trial period. The prospect of a new praesidium exists in Stavanger.
GERMANY
Legion of Mary stands were held at the Munich Bennofest and in Altoetting. Monthly vigils of reparation and regular Patrician meetings were also held. Sadly, Stuttgart Comitium is now reduced to a Curia. A new praesidium has started in the Diocese of Hildesheim, the first in thirty (30) years. An Indian family with two sons has taken up active Legion membership in Usingen. Six (6) children supported by young legionaries took part in praying of the rosary on October 7th. The young legionaries participated in a Rosary making demonstration. Thirty (30) legionaries attended a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) Conference/weekend in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
ENGLAND
Brentwood Regia
A praesidium revisited a total of thirteen (13) lapsed Catholic houses identified during PPC work in their parish. Through legionaries’ effort, a mother and son were baptised, received their First Holy Communion and were confirmed in Easter 2024. The sister joined the Legion of Mary and took her Legion promise. A non- Catholic husband of a legionary was also converted and became a devout Catholic. A retired Salvation Army pastor [eighty- five (85) years old], who was visited regularly by legionaries, left a message for his daughter- before he died- to contact the parish and thank the Legion of Mary for visiting him.
Brentwood East Curia
A praesidium holds weekly Rosary clubs at two primary schools during lunch time. It also holds a weekly lunchtime Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary Service at the local secondary school. A member of this praesidium met a lady after Mass, who had never been in a Catholic Church before. Legionaries began visiting her and she continues to attend Mass as she feels it is doing her some good. She has now begun the RCIA course in the parish. A young mother, contacted through door-to-door visits, is also attending the meetings of this year’s RCIA programme.
Southwark Comitium
One praesidium at South Wimbledon knocked on over one thousand (1,000) doors in six (6) months and called back on thirty (30) of them. A man came up to a legionary at Mass - it was August 15th, Feast of the Assumption. He said, "I am now a Catholic. I went to RCIA classes in a nearby parish. You called at my door." Legionaries carry out street contact and distribute Miraculous Medals in the Lewisham town centre. They bring contacts into the church to show them Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Junior works include distribution of Miraculous Medals and Rosaries at First Holy Communion Masses, helping at Sunday Mass in the church and altar serving, and leading the Rosary in Church on First Saturdays.
Scotland Senatus
The praesidium in Finland now attached to the Senatus has Bro. Mc Ginty as their correspondent. Our Lady of Light Curia Motherwell has twelve (12) praesidia doing many works - contact at bus stations, park contacts, and bringing children- usually with a teacher- to the Church in groups. The praesidium at Glasgow University is well attended so far with Canon Conroy’s support. Bro. Bain who attended Concilium last month was particularly impressed by the warm welcome and the atmosphere of prayer. Sr. Veronica Mc Neece was elected vice president of the Senatus for a second term. Our Lady of the Wayside praesidium- comprised of sixteen (16) members gave its annual report. It has a club meeting open every evening. Many pupils attend their Oratory for prayers and they have strong connections with various schools. Many Christmas cribs were set up including one outside the library of the university.
Amsterdam Regia
The public Rosary was recited on Dam Square (city centre) and the weekly Rosary on Google meet is getting good numbers. The English speaking praesidium is having their monthly Patrician meetings. One praesidium organised a block rosary and thirty- four (34) families were visited during the past year. The Regia is planning to have a Congress in 2027.
Antwerp Regia
There are fourteen (14) active members, one probationary member and twenty- three (23) auxiliaries. They help their respective parishes, visit the sick, nursing homes and they also have talks with people who use drugs.
Central London Curia
Br. Basil Egbuonu was elected vice president for a second term in September. A workshop for praesidium officers was held in August with forty (40) attending. A Call to Arms Conference was held which was well organised and well attended, including members from other Councils and seems to have been very successful. A praesidium was down to one (1) member but with help from another praesidium now has nine (9) active members, one (1) probationer, five (5) auxiliaries and one (1) praetorian. Weekly works include apostolate in the red-light area occasionally, crowd contact, prison ministry, monthly Light Fever events, and care of people who are homebound and sick.
Mother of Divine Grace Curia, London
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
Liverpool Senatus
There has been no secretary or assistant secretary for almost two (2) years. The issue of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance is ongoing, and has prevented a parish granting permission for the request of a praesidium to be started until it is resolved. A praesidium with six (6) active members, one (1) probationary member and twenty- three (23) auxiliary members visits its auxiliaries and has phone contact with them, and started a junior praesidium with eight (8) active members and three (3) auxiliaries. Another praesidium has seven (7) active members, one probationary member, and forty (40) auxiliary members. One member is a catechist and twelve (12) people are participating in the RCIA course.
Manchester Comitium
There are currently twelve (12) praesidia and two (2) Curiae attached. A praesidium hosted a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project and carried out some visitation with them. Queen of the Holy Rosary, a praesidium for juniors, engage in home chores and make festive cards to send to a local nursing home. A praesidium in Salford has eleven (11) active members and ten (10) auxiliaries. Two (2) members are catechists, help with book barrow in Manchester, organised a Faith- based film twice a year in the assembly room.
Prayers requested for Fr. Pat Deegan, Parkinsons diagnosis, for miraculous healing through the intercession of Servant of God, Frank Duff.
Sweden
A visit carried out by Sr. and Br. Kirstein in October. The praesidium in Lund, with Fr. Oliver as Spiritual Director has five (5) members. A French priest is Spiritual Director of another praesidium. Discussion is in place for the need to establish a council in Southern Sweden.
Denmark:
There is a praesidium at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Copenhagen and it has nine (9) members. They haven’t had any contact with any Council for many years. They are a Filipino praesidium who engage in some visitation and are very involved in the parish. Efforts are in place to affiliate them to Sweden.
Brussel Senatus
The praesidium, Mary Cause of Our Joy, at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Brussels, has six (6) active and five (5) auxiliary members. Works include bringing nursing home residents to Mass, evangelisation in the park surrounding the Basilica when possible. Some members participated in the PPC projects, organised by Senatus and in the annual PPC Conference held in January/February 2025. A novel work in 2025 was the praying the Rosary in a Jubilee procession across Brussels. The initiative for this came from the archbishop.
Birmingham Senatus
A variety of works have been undertaken by affiliated praesidia which includes visiting the sick, online Bible reading group, crowd contact and a Legion of Mary stall.
Swansea Curia has eight (8) praesidia with seventy- four (74) members, an increase of twenty- two (22) members from last year. They held a PPC project in July which was supported by legionaries from London and Ireland. Homosexual apostolate includes visitation of gay bars.
CENTRAL AMERICA
MEXICO
Mexico City Senatus
The attached Comitium of Cuernavaca set up three (3) new praesidia including one junior group with nine (9) members. A praesidium in Central Mexico speaks the Otomi language, which is spoken by about three hundred thousand (300,000) people. About two thousand (2,000) legionaries went on the annual pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in September. In the Basilica thirty- three (33) new pioneers received badges, twenty-one (21) for a temporary pledge and twelve (12) permanent pledges. The Senatus visitation of a praesidium resulted in the appointment of two officers - president and secretary. The praesidium attached to the Senatus now has four (4) young officers.
Medellin Senatus
Three (3) Comitia, four (4) Curiae and two (2) praesidia reported. An attached Comitium reported five hundred (500) sick persons confessed and received the sacrament of the sick. Eight (8) new praesidia have been established. One thousand and one hundred (1,100) homes were consecrated to the Sacred Heart, thirty- two (32) persons returned to the practice of the Catholic Faith, and twenty- two (22) couples married in the Catholic Church.
Guadalajara Senatus:
Monterrey, one of the Regia recently affiliated to the Senatus presented its first report in the Senatus meeting. The Regia also reported an increase in members and praesidia. There are currently ninety- three (93) new members and two (2) new praesidia. Legionaries visit the prisoners in one prison and permission has been requested to visit another prison. Legionaries attend and lead prayers at wakes.
CENTRAL AMERICA
San Salvador
The Senatus of San Salvador reported a PPC project carried out in five (5) parishes during a two (2) week period in a very abandoned remote area. The parish has been revitalised, one thousand, seven hundred and sixty- nine (1,769) homes were visited, and many new praesidia were set up. A young Japanese man was received into the Catholic Church after two years preparation and a Mormon has requested the sacraments.
Nicaragua Regia
Due to change of correspondent, this Regia has been out of touch for some months but it is back on track again. A Congress, which took place some months ago, had a very good attendance and since then the Regia is showing great signs of progress and enthusiasm. The Regia is composed of twelve (12) praesidia, three (3) Comitia, and five (5) Curiae including a junior Curia. A photo sent to Concilium indicates a large group of young legionaries. The Year of Hope was promoted and encouraged in many parishes.
Panama Regia
During this period, a new praesidium was founded in the Regia Curia area. There is a plan to make contact with all the parishes that do not have Legion of Mary presence currently and to allocate extension where possible. Reports list the following activities: Enthronement of homes to the Sacred Heart, book barrow apostolate, street contact, prison visitations, and contact with auxiliaries.
Costa Rica Senatus
The Senatus officers have visited all the attached Councils and praesidia to strengthen communication and encourage direct apostolate, which in some cases is focused on prayer and pious practices only. Plans for 2026 indicate recruiting to strengthen and increase the number of praesidia. The apostolate reflected in the reports highlights the follow up with families whose homes were consecrated to the Sacred Heart, nurturing their spirituality and prayer life.
Cuba Comitium
No meeting took place in November due to a health scare and general crisis, no electricity, no medication and no running water. The monthly Comitium meeting was held in December. Despite problems there was an air of positivity and the meeting was encouraged to have confidence and trust in Jesus and Our Blessed Mother.
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Some Handbook Reflections
THE LEGION CONGRESS (p. 35-37)
The Legion Congress forms a valuable part of the legionary system of formation. While not intended to be an annual event, “an area should not hold a Congress more often than every second year” (Handbook 30:5), the holding of a Congress every two or three years, while not mandatory, would seem very desirable.
The Congress is essentially a Curia function, at which all the members, not just the officers, of the praesidia in the Curia, can come together to discuss the main principles of the Legion. It is important that every member should have an opportunity of contributing to the discussions. This would not be possible in a very large assembly or where the function consists of a series of long talks by selected speakers.
In organising a Congress, it would be well to study carefully the relevant section in the handbook. Some points from that are listed here:
1. A whole day should be devoted to the Congress.
2. If possible, the proceedings should begin with Mass, followed by a short address by the Spiritual Director, or other priest, and should terminate with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
3. The day is divided into sessions. Each session should begin and close with prayer. Each subject should be very briefly opened up by someone who will have previously prepared his contribution.
4. Congresses are to be run on the parliamentary method, that is, on lines of universal participation, regulated from the chair. Careful timekeeping is important.
5. The assistance of some representatives of a higher governing body would be desirable.
6. The Congress should apply itself to the fundamentals. The subjects to be dealt with should concern the main principles of the Legion: (a) The devotional system of the Legion; (b) The legionary qualities, and how they are to be developed; (c) The methodical system of the Legion - including the conducting of the meetings and the members’ reports; (d) The Legion works, including the improvement of methods and the planning of new works.
7. An item of the Congress should be a special Talk on some aspect of legionary devotion, idealism or duty. This is usually given as a Concluding Talk, at the close of the last session.
8. All the lessons learned at the Congress should be put into force by the Curia.
9. There should be changes in the programme from one Congress to the next “it is necessary that over a period of years much new ground be ploughed up.” (Handbook 30:5d)
It is important that the Congress be planned well in advance. To find a suitable date and venue and to draw up the programme, it seems desirable that preparations should be made at least six to eight months beforehand. It is also desirable that the next-highest governing body be consulted on the programme and that their suggestions be taken into account. As the attendance of some representatives of the higher council is desirable, adequate notice will be required. If the Congress is to be a success, it is obvious that all the members of the praesidia should have copies of the programme well in advance, at least six weeks beforehand, if possible, so that they will have time to prepare themselves to contribute fully to the Congress. Study of the subjects at praesidium meetings prior to the Congress would be very beneficial. Above all, all the legionaries should be encouraged to pray for the success of the Congress, which can be so important for themselves and for their apostolate.
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Mary’s Channel of Grace
Zoom Meeting ID: 811 4083 3503
Passcode: 876433
Legion of Mary Prayers and Rosary 365 days per year.
8 p.m. GMT
All welcome. Please encourage others to join in also.
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Writings of Frank Duff
Some of the writings of now Servant of God Frank Duff, Founder of the Legion of Mary are available at www.frankduffessays.com.
