Concilium Bulletin, March 2015
AFRICA
GHANA
Accra Senatus: The council officers had a very fruitful meeting with the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Monsignor Jean Marie Speich. Legionaries engaged in clean up exercises in various hospitals/clinics throughout Ghana during December .A Triduum was organised for the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff in November. Great efforts were made to promote the True Devotion and Total Consecration to Our Lady.
ANGOLA
Luanda Senatus: The Senatus had a Retreat which was considered excellent. A praesidium with 28 active members, including three on the probation roll, has 14 Auxiliaries. Legionaries visit the sick at home and in hospital, do some home visitation and carry out an apostolate to street children. The Senatus was planning a visit to São Tomé and Principe 15th – 22nd January. These are islands off the west coast of Africa and form an independent country, but are part of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and Sao Tomé.
Benguela Senatus: As a follow up to the National Congress of the Legion of Mary in Angola, in September 2014, the Senatus is organising a more intense study of the Legion Handbook and would like to form two new Regiae, one in the Diocese of Namibe, where there has been great growth in the Legion and another in the Diocese of Lobito. Several Curiae and Comitia have been divided to form new councils. On 16 August 2014, 2,236 legionaries from the Senatus area went on Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption in Kakundja, about 75 miles from Benguela. The minutes each month show visits made to attached praesidia and councils.
ZIMBABWE
Hwange Comitium: The Legion is now functioning well in Hwange.
CAPE VERDE
Regia, Comitia Curiae and praesidia report that from 10% up to 30% of legionaries are Praetorian members. A Comitium, undeterred by loss of members through e.g. emigration old age, reports plans to revive several praesidia and Curiae. Visitation in which members talk of the true Church of Christ leads to conversions from several sects. Cape Verde has over 8,000 active members in a population of half a million. About 10 Auxiliaries who regained their health became active members. A PPC in the small island of Brava resulted in increase in Legion membership. Many besides the Regia officers do visitation of Curiae and praesidia.
LESOTHO
Lesotho Senatus: 133 visitors attended the December Senatus meeting as it was held during the three day annual re-union. One Comitium reported 28 children were prepared for Baptism by legionaries and 11 marriages were regularised through the encouragement of legionaries.
Johannesburg Senatus: Home and prison visitation is undertaken and teaching catechism. Many non- Catholics and lapsed Catholics are met. An 80 year old lady who was lapsed for 10 years asked for the Sacraments. Esogodeni Comitium: Visitation of home, hospitals and prisons is undertaken resulting in many returns to the Sacraments.
Cape Town Senatus: The praesidia directly attached to Senatus are doing well; one asked for prayers for peace as there is a lot of shooting in their area, another operates a weekly book barrow and a third is starting a junior praesidium. The Archbishop of Cape Town will attend their Acies. The Senatus has a good team of correspondents who keep in touch with attached councils.
NAMIBIA: A visit to Namibia is planned for August.by the Cape Town Legionaries.
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ASIA
AUSTRALIA
Brisbane Comitium: The Legion is in all 5 Dioceses. The council has 23 attached praesidia, including 3 Vietnamese and 8 situated a long distance away. The praesidium in Cairns is two hours flying time from Brisbane. The Korean Curia has 6 praesidia in the city and 3 on the Gold Coast. Extension is undertaken and praesidia are visited. There is one Patrician Group. The Annual Audit was received for June 2013 to 2014. Works reported include, home visitation, praying Rosaries before funerals, providing transport to Mass, giving Religious Instruction in State Schools, visiting nursing homes and bringing Holy Communion to the sick.
Sydney Senatus: All directly attached praesidia carry out home visitation which includes evangelisation to non-Catholics and promoting family prayer. Families of newly-baptised children are visited and Rosary Beads given to the parents. Statues of Our Lady are distributed to homes.
Melbourne Senatus:.Eleven attached Curiae reported. Two of the larger ones have praesidia engaged in an apostolate to the Korean Community, and to refugee children. A Comitium comprising 15 directly attached praesidia and 3 Curiae of Vietnamese members has set up a new praesidium comprising mainly overseas students.
Pacific Ocean: There are several Comitia in the Kiribati group as well as in Fiji, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna. In Vanuatu, 29 people were prepared for Baptism; 17 were received into the Church and 4 returned to the Sacraments. Noumea Comitium is based in New Caledonia. A new junior Curia was affiliated to this council in 2014. Regular contact is maintained with the Islands through correspondence.
NEW ZEALAND
Aukland Senatus:.Two junior Curiae with approximately 90 members in each. are attached to this council. An intermediate praesdium helps seniors on some works. The island of Tonga has one praesidium on the North Island and a Curia with 4 praesidia in Nuku’alofa. American Samoa has two praesidia, Western Samoa has 2 Comitia with 20 Curia and many junior praesidia. Villages are visited with Our Lady’s Statue. Legionaries teach catechism, assist in the running of Youth Clubs, visit sick people and prisons; they also operate a Video Lending Library. The Handbook, Tesserae and Causes leaflets are translated into Tongan and Samoan.
PHILIPPINES
Mindanao Senatus: Several cases of cancer cures through the intercession of Frank Duff were reported, also many marriage validations. A praesidium with 13 members includes a couple with 5 grown up children who have all received the Sacrament of Baptism and are being prepared for Confirmation. A praesidium of 15 members based in the Civic Offices evangelises among their fellow workers and do crowd contact on the street. Work allocation for some juniors is to bring their parents and grandparents to Mass.
Bicolandia Senatus: Works include home and hospital visitation, plus teaching catechism to Elementary and High School students. 78 parents and sponsors of young children are to be Baptised and Confirmed. Jails are visited where legionaries pray the Rosary with the inmates.
Senatus of Northern Philippines:.14 legionaries from a Curia in Mount Hagen PNG visited this council with their Spiritual Director Fr. Felino. Sr.Rolita has been appointed as extension worker to the San Pablo Comitium for one year. Many Regia and Comitia reported the setting up of new praesidia, conversions to the faith and juniors entering senior ranks. Home and jail visitation is carried out. In one jail legionaries helped prisoners to do the Stations of the Cross and many inmates received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Western Visayas Senatus: 7 Comitia, 6 Curia and 3 praesidia reported many conversions of born-again Christians. One woman became a Catholic and married her Catholic partner, who subsequently became a Lay Minister of the Eucharist. A 93 year old was converted and a lapsed Catholic returned to the faith and became a legionary. A junior praesidium visited a sick child in hospital; this child, was baptised before he died; his older sister was taught how to pray the Rosary. Many Exploratio Dominicalis projects were reported, plus visitation to homes, hospitals and prisons, teaching catechism and preparing persons for the Sacraments.
Cebu Senatus: Various councils and praesidia are being either re-established or revived. A number of reports show people under instruction with 19 adults and 25 children preparing for Baptism. Two legionaries successfully comforted a person intent on committing suicide. One Curia promotes daily recitation of the Rosary. A person contacted went to Confession after 20 years absence. A Recollection Service was conducted in a women’s Correction Centre. A Columban Drive helped to recruit a number of active members. Juniors organised a very successful, Kids Rosary Crusade in October and accompanied seniors when teaching catechism in Public Schools.
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IRISH PROVINCIAL COUNCILS
COMITIA
Cloyne Comitium: Carrigtowhill praesidium is engaged in home and hospital visitation and contact work at Cobh Cathedral. A Legion altar was erected at the local car boot sale on two occasions where Miraculous Medals and Rosary beads were distributed. Cobh praesidium is helping the parish priest with preparation for the parish Mission, to be given by Sr. Breege McKenna in March. Fr. Joe Rohan, Comitium Spiritual Director, has written to every Parish Priest in the Diocese asking their support for the Legion. He also made this appeal at the Priests Conference. 65 legionaries have booked in for the combined Retreat of the Comitium and attached Curiae.
Cork Comitium: Glanmire praesidium has 6 members, 2 of whom are Praetorians; they have 70 auxiliaries. Home visitation with the Fatima Statue is undertaken. The Governor and Chaplain in Cork prison have been contacted about the possibility of doing visitation to the prison. The Comitium organised a Mass to commemorate the Servant of God Frank Duff in November. Three officers of the Comitium attended a meeting of Ross Curia at which ideas were exchanged. Muire na Gras Curia: Three reporting praesidia have a combined membership of 17 and a total of 172 auxiliaries. Home, hospital and nursing home visitation are among the works done. A Fatima Statue was brought to Confirmation classes; each student was given a Miraculous Medal and leaflets on the Medal and the Rosary. Annunciata Curia: The reporting praesidium sells Catholic newspapers and helps with Church cleaning. Queen of Peace Curia: The 3 reporting praesidia have a total of 60 auxiliaries, 2 Praetorians and one Adjutorian. Works include home, hospital and nursing home visitation, street contact, Patricians and organising religious video shows followed by a discussion. 13 legionaries participated in an Extension Drive in the SMA parish in Blackrock. Coronata Curia: Reports were taken from 3 praesidia with a combined membership of 21, including 1 Praetorian and 4 Adjutorians; they have a total of 42 auxiliaries. Works include sale of Catholic newspapers. Home visitation is carried on by one praesidium.
Mid Clare Comitium presented an annual report at the January meeting. The Council has 5 praesidia with a total of 27 members, 3 of whom are Praetorians; they have a total of 86 auxiliaries. Works include home, hospital and nursing home visitation. East Clare Curia presented its annual report at the December meeting. There are 3 praesidia with a total of 12 members, 5 of whom are Praetorians and they have 51 auxiliaries. Fatima Statue, hospital and nursing home visitation are carried out, plus a music ministry to Limerick Prison.
Thurles Comitium: Holycross praesidium has 11 members who take part in events at Holycross Abbey and the parish, visiting homes with the Pilgrim Virgin, also nursing homes and hospitals. Templemore praesidium has started a Patrician group. A praesidium with 12 members and an attached junior praesidium undertakes home and hospital visitation. Cashel Curia has care of the Legion in Clonmel, where great strides are being made to extend the Legion in the town. Murroe Curia organised instruction on the use of the Breviary.
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CURIAE
Limerick Curia: A reporting praesidium has 6 members and 14 auxiliaries. Home and hospital visitation are done and they distributed pictures of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at a Shopping Centre. Members attended a nine- week course on catechesis. They prayed at the death beds of a number of elderly people. There is a new praesidium with 6 members in Mary Immaculate College, which is progressing well. A member has volunteered to represent the Legion at the first meeting of the Diocesan Synod in Limerick.
Lismore Curia: The works of the reporting praesidium include visitation with Our Lady’s Statue. Miraculous Medals and explanatory leaflets are distributed at the annual Mass at St. Declan’s Well.
Ross Curia: Three praesidia reported recruiting a total of 4 new members. The Curia plans to start Patricians in April.
Waterford Curia: This council now has 5 praesidia. One praesidium reported on house blessings and so far 5 homes have been blessed. The praesidium in St. John’s Parish has 5 members. On home visitation weekly family prayer and Sunday Mass attendance are promoted. About 300 Miraculous Medals and 150 Rosary beads were given out on home visitation. Pilgrim Virgin Statue visitation commenced in May and so far 25 homes have welcomed the Statue. One family attributed prayer through the intercession of Our Lady to their son getting a job after three years of trying. Windgap praesidium gave Miraculous Medals to Church-goers on 8th December, Feast of the Immaculate Conception and to the First Holy Communion and Confirmation children.
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DUBLIN NORTHSIDE CURIAE
(for the months of January & February 2015)
Porta Coeli Curia: Legionaries in one praesidium visit a nursing home and help in a Repository. Another praesidium with 6 active members and 3 probationers the visit of a hospital, where as well as visiting patients they recite the Rosary each Tuesday with attendances ranging from six to twenty six. A man who thought himself unworthy to receive Communion was reminded of Pope Francis’ words that “the Eucharist is not a reward for good behaviour but a free gift from God.” Later after receiving Communion, he said his soul was “replenished”. A lady alienated from the Church for many years was initially hostile but after many weeks and having heard her story she surprised the legionaries when she announced having been to Mass and having received Communion; she then accepted a Miraculous Medal and scapular. Contact is maintained with some patients after they leave hospital; one person continues to travel a long distance for the Rosary each Tuesday and his Christmas card to the Legion said “thank you for saving my life”. One praesidium member who instructed a person in the faith was invited to the baptism of her child. A monthly guided Holy Hour organised by the Legion has up to 80 in attendance. A member spoke to the Active Retirement Group on Frank Duff and they plan to visit his house later in the year.
Veneranda Curia: The main work of one praesidium is street contact in various locations of the city centre where many interesting contacts are made; some home visitation is also done. A praesidium which visits Mountjoy Prison every Saturday and Sunday has grown to 11 members and 1 probationer; 6 are Praetorians. They encourage inmates to avail of the Sacraments, play football and board games with them. The staff greatly appreciate the visits.
Consolata Curia: A junior praesidium has seven active and 10 auxiliary members. All officerships are filled, two of them with senior legionaries. Works include folding newsletters, collecting stamps, filling and distributing Holy Water bottles, May and October processions and weekly evangelisation, using the Miraculous Medal. 17 children attended their Summer Camp. A senior praesidium gained two new members to bring the total to six, 3 of whom are Praetorians and 3 are officers; they have 47 auxiliary members. Two members conducted Bible Classes during the winter. Eucharistic Adoration is organised every First Friday. As well as home visitation, a nursing home which caters largely for young accident victims is visited fortnightly. The Rosary is recited, accompanied by song and guitar playing. The legionaries have been asked to make this a weekly event as the residents greatly enjoy the occasion.
Presentata Curia: 14 attended a Patrician Meeting in Regina Coeli Hostel on the topic of Christmas. One praesidium reported an attendance of 54 at their last Good Friday Retreat. Another praesidium offered a house blessing to every house in the area assigned to them and accompanied the priest during the blessings. With the help of Bethlehem Curia the praesidium visited the entire parish offering a Catholic literature gift pack. They organise a Healing Mass every First Friday of the month. During street contact they meet many with addictions. A praesidium which meets in the Morning Star Hostel has 15 full and 2 probationary members. Their main work is street contact, usually on Moore Street. In addition they help in the hostel, visit Cuan Mhuire in Athy occasionally and hold Patrician meetings. Each year they organise a very popular guided Holy Hour on St. Patrick’s Day in Dominic Street Church. A novel Frank Duff Seminar in Thomas Street attracted over 100 attendees and was followed by a walk to Myra House on nearby Francis Street.
Exaltata Curia: In their second annual report, a praesidium reported having 49 auxiliary members. Home visitation is done every week; a man whose daughter committed suicide and whose wife is in a wheelchair took to drinking and lost his job; he has given up on God; however he promised to start praying again. A public Rosary each Friday in May typically had 10 in attendance. In October they joined another praesidium for an Exploratio Dominicalis project. On 8th December the Parish Priest asked legionaries to distribute Miraculous Medals after all the Masses. A praesidium with 10 members, including 3 Praetorians, plus 70 auxiliary members organises Adoration and does Pilgrim Statue and nursing home visitation. Five members took part in an Exploratio Dominicalis project to another parish had many good contacts in the 300 homes visited.
Bethlehem Curia: On Alfie Lambe’s anniversary 4 legionaries from one praesidium did street contact promoting his Cause; some of the contacts were made at a taxi rank. 18 patricians, 4 legionaries and a Spiritual Director attended a Patrician meeting. Two legionaries from another praesidium visited a Primary School on the feast of the Miraculous Medal and the Secondary School during Catholic School Week; on both occasions Miraculous Medals were distributed. One praesidium runs a Girl’s Club, where prayer is added to the arts and crafts, knitting, dancing and other activities. The other works of the praesidium are home visitation, selling Catholic newspapers and conducting a Public Rosary.
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SOUTH AMERICA
PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asuncion: Exploratio Dominicalis and PPC projects figure prominently in reports. Prevalent works include home, hospital and prison visitation, Pilgrim Statue visitation, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, an outreach to those living alone and to couples with marital difficulties. In Homeless Shelters rosaries are recited with residents. Catechesis is done on a grand scale. Many Curiae have more than two junior praesidia attached and there are several junior Curiae in the Senatus of Asuncion.
URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo: The “Maria Legionis” in English is received from Philadelphia. A National meeting of junior legionaries was scheduled for l4th February. 84 year old Sr. Maria Reina, who knew Alfie Lambe, was visited recently and gave another testimony for Alfie’s Cause. A Commission was set up in January to consider extending the Legion to the Las Malvinas Islands (also known as the Falklands Islands); the Senatus last visited the Islands in l966.
VENEZUALA
Senatus of Caracas: The Senatus ask for prayers for the ‘terrible’ economic situation there. They held great celebrations for the setting up of the Regia in Merida. A committee has been established to manage the sale of Casa Sancta Hostel and its furniture. Contact is made with people practising witchcraft, many of whom are non-practising Catholics; one session was interrupted by the legionaries who recited the Creed. There were two reports of one million Rosaries said in schools by the children. This council held Columban Drives which gained some active and auxiliary members. The Curia in Maturin uses a book barrow; they also reported 3 vocations, an abortion prevented and little “theatre productions” by the junior praesidium. Several new groups of pre-juniors were set up. The Regia of Barquisimeto has 2 new adult praesidia, l new junior praesidium and 7 adult praesidia in formation. 5 youths including a Jehovah Witness and an evangelical were converted; 2 youths entered a Seminary.
EQUADOR
Senatus of Quito: Legionaries were delighted with Sr. Maribel’s visit from Madrid. Bro. Tim Lane is back in Ireland and gave a report of very active extension there. The raffle for funds to repair the Legion house was very successful. Reports include teaching of catechism, acquiring wheelchairs for the sick, a return from one of the sects and a sick person brought to the Sacraments 4 days before death. They help the police with the homeless and get them back to their families. One family was saved from addiction to drink and drugs. In Loja, a praesidium was revived; its members dress in native attire and speak the Quechua language.
COLUMBIA
Senatus of Bogota: A new junior Curia was set up recently and affiliated to the Senatus. A new Regia in Villavicenco in the Amazonian area has been suggested by the Senatus; the city is ideally situated to govern the Legion in all the Amazonian area of Columbia. However in the 122 parishes of the city there are only 18 praesidia affiliated to 6 Curiae while the Comitium has just 5 directly attached praesidia. It has been suggested to the Senatus to try to strengthen the Legion in the city as a first step.
Senatus of Medellin: 3 Regia, 2 Comitia, 2 Curiae and 2 praesidia reported during this period. The members of a praesidium made the Consecration to Our Lady on the 15th August, having completed the 33 day preparation. A new senior Curia was set up. Legionaries visit and pray with people affected by AIDS, some of whom are now auxiliaries. A Lectio Divino group is guided by the legionaries.
PERU
Senatus of Lima: During this period 1 praesidium, 5 Curiae and 2 Comitia reported. The Legion in Lima in particular is extending and there is a need to raise higher councils. An average of 150 officers attends the Senatus meeting. An attached Curia in the provinces set up a praesidium in the men’s prison and there are plans to set one up in the women’s prison. The legionaries in Lima visit the Santa Monica prison at a time agreed with the authorities. The young legionaries in the Sullana Comitium work with drug addicts. On occasions they have encountered the drug addicts in a suicidal state on the bank of the river. There is an increase in junior praesidia in almost all the councils.
BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz: Bolivia is going through a very difficult political time and the legionaries ask prayers for peaceful solutions to the present difficulties. One legionary married couple have set up a praesidium for married couples, whose apostolate is to the family, especially those who are experiencing difficulties. Some couples, on the verge of divorce or separation, have been helped to reunite. The Senatus has just held its third National Legion Congress, where a special message from the Concilium was read out.
CHILE
Senatus of Santiago: The Regia of La Serena does a variety of works including a living Rosary whereby adults and children pray in an open space, each legionary being a bead in a huge Rosary. Legionaries help and teach children prayers in a kindergarten. The Regia has a Legion choir for special Masses. Columban Drives are used very frequently. An apostolate to taxi drivers is also done. The praesidium of the President of the Senatus has a very active junior Patrician group. May devotions last year resulted in the formation of a Prayer Group. Not only the councils but many praesidia had Masses and events to mark Alfie Lambe’s anniversary.
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