Concilium Bulletin March 2013
REPORTS
AFRICA
ANGOLA
Luanda Regia: The elections of the President and Vice President of the Comitium of Cabinda were ratified in January this year. The Regia minutes state that with the ratification of these elections, it should be noted that 14 years of crisis in that Diocese have passed, and with the grace of God, have come to an end. Great satisfaction, therefore, was shown with the holding of these elections. The Secretary of a Comitium, attached to the Regia, represented the Legion at the Pan African Congress in Cameroon. She reported on the Congress at the October meeting and mentioned having contact with the Concilium representatives. Mass was celebrated and a conference was held to mark the Legion’s 91st anniversary. The 61st anniversary of the start of the Legion in Angola was celebrated also.
Cape Verde Regia including Guinea Bissau on mainland Africa. There were 5 Comitia, 4 Curiae and 5 praesidia reports presented in the past 4 months. The affiliated Comitia and Curiae are spread over nine islands. The Regia reported setting up of a new Comitium and Curia in November. At the beginning of the year councils were encouraged to draw up plans for the year in consultation with the Parish Priest and Spiritual Director. Besides catechetical work for all ages, Legion work is directed to addicts, the conversion of youths and Bible training, which deepens faith in the members. A Comitium in the main island increased membership from 250 to 299 in a year and carried out 36 Exploratio Dominicalis projects. Plans are being made to promote the Legion in the extensive area of Guinea Bissau on the African mainland.
EGYPT
The correspondent received a programme of events for 2013 and their plans for the next 3 years. A General Conference was held in October. Two new Curiae have been established in Giza and Ismailia. A Comitium for the Southern Region, which covers the provinces of Sohag, Kena and Luxor was also established. The Officers met the Bishop of Sohag. It was reported that the approximate number of Egyptian Copts Catholics reached by the efforts of the Legion was about 50,000 persons. The Patriarch thanked all legionaries in this regard and expressed appreciation for this work. The Senatus mission for the next 3 years is that the Legion of Mary serves in the areas of the river Nile, Alexandria, Canal Region in accordance to the Legion Handbook by the end of 2015. They hope to increase the number of active members in Egypt to 5,000 members and 1,000 auxiliary members and they also hope to start the Patricians, Incolae Mariae, Exploratio Dominicalis, Peregrinatio Pro Christo and the Pioneers and sending extension workers to areas without the Legion.
GHANA
Accra Senatus: The Senatus has drawn up a list of activities for the Year of Faith, some of these include reviving dormant praesidia, extension, each praesidium has been asked to organise an Exploratio Dominicalis project and Legion Week is to be celebrated by all praesidia 1st-7th September. Tema Comitium held 3 projects with 94 legionaries participating, 3 new praesidia were formed. A Mass was held for The Servant of God Alfie Lambe in Accra Cathedral on 21st January. The Senatus organises monthly Frank Duff prayer sessions for his beatification.
LESOTHO
Loreto Comitium reported 262 families visited and 62 lapsed revived. Two Comitia reported low attendances. It has proved difficult to ascertain the number of legionaries in councils. At the February meeting seven praesidia reported attendances from 40% to 91%.
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town Senatus: Two new praesidia have been set up in the Senatus area. The Handbook has been translated into Afrikaans and quotations are being sought for printing it. All councils have carried out their annual audit. No news about the Legion in Namibia despite numerous requests. The Senatus president will visit the Concilium in September.
Johannesburg Senatus: Works undertaken include visitation of homes, hospitals, prisons, and homes for the mentally and physically disabled where Catholics and non-Catholics are contacted. 12 lapsed returned to the sacraments, one lady was lapsed for 20 years and another lapsed for 10 years. Both Catholics and non-Catholics are taught how to pray the Rosary. A Methodist lady knew how to say the Rosary and said it is a very powerful prayer. Five legionaries are catechists.
Durban Comitium: A praesidium of 15 members promotes Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and has contact with Hindus and Muslims.
Esigodeni Comitium: A letter was received in January and the Acies is planned for 16 March.
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SOUTH AMERICA
COLOMBIA
Bogotá Senatus: 2 Regia, 1 Comitium, 1 Curia and 2 praesidia reported. The small number of directly attached praesidia has been highlighted to the Senatus. A Curia set up 4 new praesidia. A university praesidium manages a Book barrow in the college grounds. A Regia with 4,500 legionaries in 5 Comitia, 7 Curiae including a junior Curia and 5 praesidia, reported. There are 433 legionaries in the 18-40 year-old age group. A number of junior legionaries progressed to the senior ranks. Three legionaries plan to enter the seminary and a former legionary was ordained deacon. During visitation, a Comitium observed a lack of knowledge of the handbook. Also officers do not readily accept advice from visiting legionaries.
Medellin Senatus: An 11 year old girl wrote to say she was diagnosed with a bone infection. Her grandmother prayed to Frank Duff; during subsequent surgery, they discovered the infection had disappeared. Activities in the Senatus area include an apostolate to the elderly and the mentally ill, visiting prisons, pilgrimages to Marian shrines and the study of the apostolic letter Porta Fidei.
CUBA
Havana Comitium: Sr. Argáez and Sr. Buenfil from the Senatus of Merida in Mexico have returned from their visit to Cuba. They were very well received. The Legion exists in four of eleven Cuban dioceses. The Comitium has 8 directly attached praesidia and 9 Curiae; most Curiae have 3 and 4 praesidia. A few praesidia and Curiae had ceased to function because they were discouraged. They visited a number of praesidia, which gave them a good picture of how the Legion was functioning at base level. Advice was given by the visiting legionaries. They also gave time to administration with officers of the Comitium and Curiae. Transport is a very big problem. The legionaries wish to thank Concilium for the opportunity to carry out the visit. One of the officers of the Comitium of Havana wrote thanking Concilium for the visit.
PERU
Lima Senatus: Average attendance is 47% for praesidia, 74% for Curiae and 70% for Comitia. One patrician group is reported while junior praesidia and a junior Curia are mentioned. A new Comitium was set up in Tumbes in the north of Peru with 4 Curiae attached. The Regia in Arequipa reported street and park contact approaching staff from the nearby commercial area in particular. Medical personnel requested young legionaries to visit an orphanage to plan games and pray with the orphans.
PARAGUAY
Asuncion Senatus: The Senatus has 6 Comitia, 26 Curiae and 19 praesidia directly attached. 5 Councils exist outside the city of Ascuncion. A praesidium of 12 active members has 144 auxiliaries. Three Legionaries claim favours due to the intercession of Frank Duff. Works include visiting a home for invalids where they help with meal preparation and wash clothes for residents. Home visitation features in most praesidia and includes Bible reflections and teaching how to recite the Rosary. Exploration Dominicalis has achieved many converts and new members. Three new praesidia were set up in prisons including one in a women’s prison. A prison praesidium set up in 1999 has 12 active members, two probationers and 15 auxiliaries; their work includes visiting other prisoners for prayer and reflection on the Bible and the baptism of inmates. Ten prisoners received Confirmation. This praesidium has 4 officers and with limited resources holds a secret bag collection each week. 12 out of 15 young men studying for the priesthood in a Paraguayan Seminary got their vocations through Legion membership.
BOLIVIA
La Paz Senatus: The Senatus recently celebrated its 58th birthday. Mary de Sanjines has been re-elected for a second period. High on her list of recommendations to legionaries were recruiting and home visitation. One of the oldest praesidia reported setting up two new praesidia during the year. Some of the works done by legionaries are cooking, baking classes and marketing their produce as an income for poor families. The legionaries also teach Lectio Divina to their contacts. Special Alfie Lambe celebrations were held in January. In spite of postal difficulties most of the councils in the provinces are up to date with their correspondence.
CHILE
Santiago Senatus: The Senatus has a monthly bulletin, which gives reports of local and international Legion activities. A special article was written on the Mapuche indigenous families and special outreach is being made to them by the Senatus. Some Parish Priests request Exploratio Dominicalis for their parishes. Junior legionaries help out on the Legion Stand when parish associations display their apostolate and seek new members. Many councils report the continued return to the church from the sects. Prominent in themes for discussion is the formation of new legionaries. Legionaries continue to pray for their former Senatus President, Margarita Ponce, who is extremely ill.
URUGUAY
Montevideo Senatus: The absence rate at the Senatus meeting is as high as 39% in spite of efforts to improve. Fr Tommy Toal returned to Scotland on 12 February and will be sadly missed. Three Columban Drives resulted in 2 new members. 3 children were baptised in a Refugee Centre while 220 were present at a public Rosary.
VENEZUELA
Caracas Senatus: Prayer groups are set up in jails with the hope of them becoming praesidia. Many medical doctors have come from Cuba with little knowledge of God; some have requested baptism. 2 evangelists were baptised in Maracay. Pro-life talks were given to pregnant women. Several praesidia and nursery groups of young children were set up as a result of extension. Columban Drives and Maria et Patria projects are also mentioned. Work with indigenous peoples features strongly. Other works include carrying out parish census and enthronement of the Sacred Heart.
ECUADOR
Quito Senatus: Exploratio Dominicalis and extension feature in reports. A father, 42 years of age was baptised after legionary contact. A successful meeting of active legionaries including juniors and auxiliary members, organised by the Spiritual Director of Inca, is to be held annually. Cuenca Regia set up 11 praesidia in one year. A praesidium was closed by the priest due to disobedience of its members.
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ASIA
PHILIPPINES
Western Visayas Senatus: The Senatus has 2 Archdioceses and 7 suffragan dioceses covering 2 small islands. All councils and praesidia reports give details of numerous baptisms, regularisation of marriages, arranging funerals, organising retreats and conversions to the Catholic Faith. 150 inmates were visited in prisons and the recitation of the Rosary was facilitated. Catechism is taught to 900 students in public schools. There is generous support from their Spiritual Directors and Bishops. The junior movement is also involved in the above works. Auxiliary membership is widely promoted.
Bicolandia Senatus: The Senatus will host the bi-annual conference in May. Works reported on were validation of marriages, promotion of the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes, teaching catechism, visitation of jails and the recitation of the Rosary. In one Curia the legionaries pray the Rosary in every home during the month of October. 33 children were baptised, 4 received the sacrament of Confirmation and 24 patients in hospital were helped to go to Confession.
Mindanao Senatus: Reports were received of several conversions including a Muslim and an evangelist family. The correspondent queried how a praesidium of 25 members could complete their meeting in an hour and a half. The Senatus officers gave a power-point presentation on the Legion to 41 seminarians in Cagayon de Oro, which was followed by a fruitful discussion. Poor attendance of directly attached praesidia officers at council meetings continues to be a problem despite regular appeals for improvement. The growth of the Legion in an attached Regia is quite spectacular and has led to too many praesidia being attached to the Curia. They have been advised to form a new Curia.
Cebu Senatus: Attendance of officers is 99%. The Senatus commended the efforts of a Comitium for their propagating the Causes of Frank Duff, Edel Quinn and Alfie Lambe. A Curia held a symposium on the life of Edel Quinn and Frank Duff. San Carlos Seminary has 6 praesidia with 126 active members and with 97% attendance. Some of the works include teaching catechism, visiting the sick and bringing Holy Communion, campaigning for the sick to acquire wheelchairs and endeavouring to facilitate marriage validation for live in couples. Patrician meetings, Exploratio Dominicalis and returns to the sacraments were also mentioned in reports. Two legionaries entered the Franciscan and Rogationist Orders. The officers of a Regia were encouraged to remind the members to embark on some heroic works.
Northern Philippines Senatus: Attendance of officers was 98% and 71% for the attached praesidia. Malolos Regia covers 106 parishes. Four juniors graduated to senior ranks and 2 members entered the Seminary. Kalookan East Comitium reported 4 juniors graduated to senior ranks. A Congress and a Spiritual Directors night was held. Home visitation to 3,000 families resulted in 54 infants being baptised, 16 individuals wanted confirmation and 27 marriages were validated.
The two legionaries who visited Papua New Guinea reported on a very good adherence to the Legion system and many had to walk for days to attend meetings. Literacy is a problem. The Regia were visited.
Mount Hagen consists of 1 Archdiocese, 4 Dioceses, 8 Comitia, 5 senior Curiae and 5 directly attached praesidia.
Rabul consists of 1 Archdiocese, 3 Dioceses, 13 Comitia, 15 senior Curiae and 2 junior Curiae with 23 directly attached praesidia. Extension work is in progress in 4 all-girl junior praesidia. Membership is over 5,700 active and 2,900 auxiliary members. Attendance is low at meetings due to distance, transportation problems and financial reasons.
The Legionaries thanked the Senatus for sending them and the experience they gained was beyond any price or value.
AUSTRALIA
Sydney Senatus: The treasurer’s books have finally been completed and brought up to date after a long period. The parish praesidia work hand in hand with the Parish Priest. They organise Rosary crusades and catechists assist in the parish sacramental programme. Street contact apostolate is very successful.
Solomon Island: A new correspondent has been appointed and communication has been re-established with the Bishop and Spiritual Director. A recent earthquake destroyed 5 villages. Seven new praesidia have been set up and all of them are in need of basic Legion material.
Melbourne Senatus: The apostolate includes door-to-door visitation, Pilgrim statue work, promotion of the Rosary, visits to the sick and bringing Holy Communion. Book-barrow work undertaken is helpful in promoting the Legion. Four junior praesidia and 5 senior Korean praesidia reported.
Perth Comitium: Extension and recruiting is ongoing. Legionaries supervised a Rosary bouquet for Our Lady’s Birthday, which involved several parishes. This event concluded with a concelebrated Mass at which Archbishop Costello was the principal celebrant.
Namosi Comitium in Fiji has 11 senior and 7 junior praesidia directly attached and it governs 3 Curiae. Door visitation to Indian homes is undertaken most of whom are non-Christians. Nauru Curia has 4 praesidia.
Christmas Island Comitium governs 3 senior and 3 junior Curiae.
Noumea Comitium in New Caledonia has 7 Curiae attached and is busily engaged in recruiting and extension.
Brisbane Comitium: Discussion took place on visiting in pairs. Extension to a remote area proved difficult to recruit. At the October meeting Fr. Kevin Curly from Papua New Guinea visited the meeting while he was there on holidays.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus: The first report of a praesidium of 17 members was read. The apostolate included home, hospital and nursing home visitation, church cleaning and altar serving. Also reporting was Hamilton Curia, Wellington Comitium and Nuku’alofa Curia in Tonga. Tonga is in need of extension. Other items noted were: an Auxiliary Rally held, Mass for the 3 Causes organised, returns to the sacraments as a result of home visitation, teaching catechism and running a book stall in a Church. Praesidia meetings are held in the Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Chinese and English languages.
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