Concilium Bulletin November 2011
Concilium Bulletin November 2011
Asia
AUSTRALIA
Sydney Senatus: The apostolate in this Senatus includes teaching of religion in schools, visitation of homes and drug rehabilitation centres and contact in parks is fruitful. Masses were held to honour Venerable Edel Quinn and the Servant of God Frank Duff. The Vietnamese Curia had 350 members on a day’s retreat and 400 at the Acies. The Korean Comitium has two Curiae attached and an Indonesian praesidium both carry out an apostolate to their own communities. The Solomon Islands have been visited. They have two Curiae.
Melbourne Senatus: Reports were received from 8 directly attached praesidia, 8 Curiae and 1 Comitium on the mainland and from 3 Comitia and 1 Curia in the Pacific Ocean. Extension and recruiting are a priority for most councils. Works include visitation to the sick with Holy Communion to Nursing Homes, promotion of the Rosary, pilgrim statue apostolate and home to home visitation where feasible.
Brisbane Comitium: There are 16 praesidia attached to the Comitium with 8 of them a long distance away so they are unable to attend the Comitium meeting. Membership in praesidia averages 7. A Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Finnigan to mark the 90th anniversary. Over 300 attended and many people expressed an interest in the Legion in their parish with 3 definite contacts for follow-up. The Vietnamese and Korean Curiae also attended this function and it proved to be a wonderful occasion. A new praesidium has started in a Nursing Home.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus: Over 400 people attended the 90th Anniversary Mass, led by Bishop Dunn. Works reported on included 50 children, aged 5-13 years, taught Catechism after Sunday Mass. A new praesidium started for 18 to 28 year olds. Savau Curia in Samoa has 10 senior and 2 junior praesidia. Extension is ongoing in the villages and the Legion is well supported by the clergy. Christchurch Curia is rebuilding again after the earthquakes having 7 praesidia with 45 members. There is need for recruiting younger members. South Auckland Curia has 9 senior praesidia and one junior Curia with 9 praesidia. Brown scapular enrolments and 4 Exploratio Dominicalis projects took place; one suicide was prevented.
PHILIPPINES
Western Visayas Regia: The Regia was overjoyed at the news of their elevation to Senatus status. Many praesidia report on Exploratio Dominicalis projects. For World day of the sick, one area arranged for 304 patients to receive the Sacrament of the sick. A Curia reported helping a mother (whose son had died) not to transfer to a sect offering to help her financially. A drug addict was helped to rehabilitate and is now conducting Bible study in his locality.
Cebu Senatus: Five Regiae, 10 Comitia, 10 Curiae and 12 praesidia gave their reports during this period. A Curia reported that several Patrician meetings take place in Churches throughout the parish. There were 13 members recruited following a Columban Drive. In another Curia the number of junior members exceeds the seniors by 38%. A former junior Curia President has joined the Poor Clare Nuns. Apostolate undertaken included backyard catechism classes, brown scapular enrolments, instructing 1,000 children for first Holy Communion reception and home visitation with many receiving confession. Five seminary praesidia are planning ministry on Pastoral Formation.
Bicolandia Senatus: The Senatus has translated and printed the three Causes prayer leaflets. Most reports feature teaching catechism to elementary pupils and high school students; enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the homes and helping the elderly and sick to go to confession. A yearly retreat for prisoners, organised by a praesidium, had an attendance of 70. One of the Curia has a praesidium in the Tinangis Penal Colony Jail.
Senatus of Northern Philippines: Attendance range from 69% to 100% in the junior Curia. The Episcopal Commission on Pastoral Care for Prisons acknowledged the valuable assistance that the Legion provides to the prison apostolate. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Military Curia covers 6 military camps with 6 praesidia doing home visitation inside the camps, also organising a Marian and Legion exhibit in the camp chapel attended by soldiers and their families. A youth retreat was attended by 37 and 10 junior praesidia officers. Many Curiae and praesidia set up officers’ training days and a Congress was held. An abortionist was enlightened by persevering legionaries to change her life and return to being a good Catholic. She is now an active lay worker in her parish.
Mindanao Senatus: An inspiriting report was given on the biennial conference of all Philippine higher councils held in Cebu in May 2011. Graduates at Xavier University conducted an Orientation course for 37 new students who it is hoped will join one of the 9 praesidia in the University Curia. The Spiritual Director of the Senatus recommends elderly legionaries who have difficulty attending meetings, not to be transferred to auxiliary roll but make efforts to arrange transport for them.
South America
PERU
Lima Senatus: In response to a request from the Senatus, the correspondent provided suggestions for shortening the 3½ hour meeting. Two projects of 12 members each had very good contacts. Several people are returning to the sacraments and a big number of couples are preparing for the sacrament of marriage. Attached Curiae reported setting up two and one praesidia respectively. Visitation of the praesidia has been positive. A monthly auxiliary prayer meeting attracts about 40 people.
BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz: Extension is on the monthly agenda. Most praesidia meetings are held in the afternoon; however it is proposed to set up new praesidia at hours that suit prospective legionaries. An officers meeting was held. In the south of the country bordering Argentina, legionaries from both countries have co-operated in extension projects and other works. The Senatus is blessed in the city of La Paz with two excellent Spiritual Directors. Despite road blocks and other obstacles Legion meetings continue.
CHILE
Senatus of Santiago: The 90th anniversary celebration was a great occasion with legionaries and their banners filling the Cathedral. Statue visitation means that legionaries get into homes that would not usually receive them. A stand is used at open air events and markets resulting in good contacts. The Regia of Temuco has a strong correspondents group of 11 legionaries who write to their distant councils in the far south of the country. Mgr. Andres Artiaga is the auxiliary bishop in charge of the laity. He has given great support to the Legion.
COLOMBIA
Senatus of Medellin: Works include visitation of hospitals, the elderly and clinics; catechesis is given in schools. During prison visitation, Gospel passages are read and meditated upon, followed by the Rosary. Discussions on the faith are held in parks and public places. Exploratio Dominicalis and Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects have taken place.
Senatus of Bogotá: The Legion’s 90th anniversary was celebrated in a full Cathedral in Bogota supported by The National Police Symphonic Band; a greeting from the Republic’s President was read. One of the 2 university praesidia is 26 years old; its work includes street contact with young people; they have formed 3 new praesidia.
URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo: The Senatus Spiritual Director was 90 in September. All members of a Curia of 6 praesidia are over 70 years old. Fr Tommy Toal celebrated his 25th ordination celebration on 12th Oct.
VENEZUELA
Senatus of Caracas: Exploratio Dominicalis and Columban Drives feature; 65 legionaries went on PPC while 67 took part in Maria et Patria projects. In Valle de la Pascua, a junior praesidium was revived, a Curia divided and a praesidium of men set up to undertake work in bars and with prostitutes. Formation Schools are mentioned. The Rosary was dramatised on a street in San Fernando while talks on the faith were given to 20 doctors.
ECUADOR
Senatus of Quito: The elderly are helped with personal hygiene and cleaning their homes. A talk was given to seminarians on the Legion. In Portviejo it is difficult to accompany the priest during jail visits due to security risks. Conversions from the sects feature. Some new praesidia have been formed. A monument was erected to commemorate the country’s consecration to the Sacred Heart in 1874.
PARAQUAY
Senatus of Asunción: The Senatus has a new Spiritual Director, appointed following the death of his much loved predecessor who passed away earlier in the year. A Curia in the city of Pedro Juan Cabalero was raised to Comitium consisting of 7 Curiae and 10 praesidia. A Curia of 3 praesidia work with the Armed Forces of the Navy, mainly providing catechism.
Africa
GHANA
Senatus of Accra: The Senatus organised 40 Hours of Adoration to promote the Cause of Frank Duff. Tema Curia was raised to Comitium, it recently established 3 new praesidia and also organised a three-day programme, involving 126 legionaries from the Comitium and Senatus. They visited the homes, two hospitals and contacted people on the streets. The praesidium in the Liberian refugee camp has 16 members, they visit the homes and clinics and does street contact work.
ZIMBABWE
Mupamonde Curia do home and hospital visitation, visit the elderly and bereaved, teaching catechism and encouraging couples to marry in the Church.
LESOTHO
Lesotho Senatus: Annunciata Curia reported 26 lapsed returned to the sacraments and two marriages rectified. Mother of the Church Comitium, Maseru formed a new junior praesidium of 15 members and had 26 lapsed returned to the sacraments
CAPE VERDE
Constant growth is reported in all reports although age, sickness and emigration results in the loss of members. A Comitium in the principal of five islands has an attendance of 98% at its meetings. One council has 192 catechists whose work reaches to adults and young people. In another area an apostolate is carried out among drug addicts and alcoholics. A Peregrinatio pro Christo project was organised with participants from Angola and Brazil.
EGYPT
The Treasurer of the Senatus visited Concilium early in October whilst attending a Conference in Dublin. The Senatus continues to extend - for instance there are 5 praesidia in Ismailia. They celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Legion of Mary and felt very much part of the Concilium family on that occasion.
ANGOLA
Benguela Senatus: Most Senatus meetings have some officers from distant councils in attendance. At one meeting twelve officers from nine councils, which are between 75 and 350 miles from Benguela, attended. The Ganda Comitium set up a new Curia. The Bocoio Comitium has proposed to the Senatus to divide the Comitium and set up another. The retired Bishop of Benguela, D. Oscar Braga, attended the May meeting of the Senatus. That same month the Comitium in the Namibe Diocese was divided into four Comitia. In the Diocese of Kwito-Bié, a year of jubilee began on 29 May 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Legion in the Diocese and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the first Comitium there. There are now five Comitia and another one is planned. The junior Comitium in Benguela set up four new praesidia and a Curia. They now have nine Curiae; five in Benguela and four in Lobito, with a total of 35 praesidia. Their membership totals 1,901, of whom 753 are aged 10-18 years; and 1,148 are over 18 years of age.
Luanda Regia: It was reported that an English-speaking praesidium has been set up in Luanda. In a letter, the Regia President says that the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Legion in Angola was celebrated in Malanje on 12 November 2011, where Rev. Fr. Henrique Verdijk, C.S.Sp, set up the first praesidium. About 5,000 legionaries from ten dioceses attended a concelebrated Mass; the Chief Celebrant was Most Reverend D. Luís de Honraita, Archbishop of Malanje, and several priests and Spiritual Directors from Luanda and Malanje concelebrated.
MOZAMBIQUE
Maputo Regia: The Spiritual Director of the Regia wrote in September to say he had been transferred to Quelimane. The Comitium President in Quelimane wrote in August and October to say they were working on restructuring the Comitium. A visit to Nampula by the President and another legionary is being planned. At the end of October about 200 legionaries from Beira are expected to visit Quelimane.
JOHANNESBURG
The Senatus has 20 attached Praesidia and 3 attached Councils. Works include visiting 58 non-Catholics, arranging to have children baptised, teaching the Rosary to children, also teaching Catechism, visiting a prison and praying with the prisoners both old and young with the help of the Priest. They encourage drug addicts to stop taking drugs. The main problems are absenteeism at Senatus meetings and failure to send in reports to the Senatus when due.
CAPE TOWN
Cape Town Senatus: Plans are underway for the setting up of two new praesidia in the Senatus area. A very successful retreat had an attendance of 150 legionaries. Great efforts are made to promote the Cause of the Servant of God, Frank Duff. In one parish the legionaries spoke at four Masses and gave out the prayer leaflets. The Afrikaans Handbook is being typed.
Marianhill Comitium: The non-Catholics who want to pray the Rosary are taught and some of them have since joined the Catholic Church.
Pietermaritzburg Comitium (Esigodini) Last letter received dated 15 August. The President’s two daughters were killed in a car crash. Many new people are joining the legion.
New Senatus and two new Regiae for Northern Nigeria
The Concilium approved, subject to ecclesiastical sanction, the raising of Abuja Regia, Nigeria to Senatus status to govern the Legion in the the Archdiocese of Abuja and its suffragen dioceses (Idah, Lafia, Lokoja, Makurdi and Otukpo). For the new Senatus to raise Otukpo Comitium to Regia status to govern the Legion in the Dioceses of Otukpo, Idah and Ugbokolo and for Makurdi Comitium to be raised to Regia status to govern the Legion in the Dioceses of Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala (Gboko, Katsina-Ala & Ugbokolo are proposed new Dioceses). The new Regiae are subject to ecclesiastical sanction and will be affiliated directly to Abuja Senatus.
ELISABETH KRISS - EXTENSION WORKER IN UKRAINE
Elizabeth Kriss tells us that everything is going through the priest and she and the priests have been in contact with the Bishop in Odessa who is very interested in the Legion and has invited the Legion to come to his diocese. She will return to Austria at the end of November in order to arrange the necessary visas for her travels to the Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Please do keep her in your prayers.
ANNIVERSARY MASS FOR
THE SERVANT OF GOD FRANK DUFF
On Saturday 19th November 2011, the 31st Anniversary Mass for the Servant of God, Frank Duff, took place in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin. The principal celebrant was His Eminence Seán Cardinal Brady and 47 priests concelebrated. The estimated attendance was over 800. The Lord Mayor of Dublin was represented by Cllr. Mary O’Shea.
Cardinal Brady’s homily was an acknowledgement of the Legion of Mary and its place in the life of the Church. He praised the vision of Frank Duff and the work, which is carried out by legionaries throughout the world. He said Frank Duff had a remarkable understanding of the distinctive roles of both the priest and the laity, and thanked every member of the Legion for their membership.
Sile Ni Chochlain thanked the members of the Bethlehem Curia, Dublin for their superb organisation of this event.
VISIT BY CONCILIUM TO
THE PHILADELPHIA AND HOUSTON SENATUS
Raymond and Annette Mulrooney and Seamus Rickard, representatives from the Concilium, visited the Senatus of Philadelphia and Houston from the 3rd to the 13th October 2011.
They spent three days in Philadelphia making contact with the officers of the Senatus and attending local praesidia meetings. Two novel features was a visit to the office of the U.S.A. Supplement for the Maria Legionis magazine and the work carried on for street people at their Brother House in Norristown, PA, on two nights of the week.
Houston Senatus: The legionaries received an invitation to attend a Peregrinatio Pro Christo conference, which had to be suspended three years ago, due to the disruption caused by Hurricane Ike. An attendance of 550 legionaries was recorded on this occasion. A Mass concelebrated by 6 priests preceded the all-day conference.
They attend the Senatus and Offices’ meetings and reviewed plans for further expansion of councils to cater for the big influx of new members, including many of the Hispanic community. Again, many local praesidia were visited.
Sile Ni Chochlain, President of Concilium, thanked the legionaries for undertaking this successful visitation.
Peregrinatio Pro Christo
The Peregrinatio Pro Christo Annual Conference was help on Saturday 22nd October in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. It was a wonderful experience of enthusiasm for the 240 legionaries who journeyed from all parts of Ireland and Britain.
The discussions were lively and showed many returns to the Sacraments as well as those interested in instruction. British legionaries gave an insight as to how they secure new projects each year.
A word of thanks to Sile Ni Chochlain, President of Concilium for her challenging address in which she concluded her talk with “There is much to be done, let us have the courage to undertake it in the knowledge that Jesus and Mary wish us to do it for them”.
Fr. Bede McGregor, Concilium Spiritual Director, and five priests concelebrated the Conference Mass for which the Peregrination Pro Committee is most grateful.
All are asked to continue to pray for those contacted by Peregrini in the past year as well as for next years’ projects.
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.
Cause of The Servant of God, Frank Duff
The prayer for Beatification can be obtained from the Legion of Mary website:
www.legion-of-mary.ie
or from Concilium Legionis Mariae
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 to legionaries and to the general public; through the organising of Frank Duff prayer groups and the holding of Masses to commemorate his life.
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,
Dublin 7, IRELAND.
N O T I C E
Any Legion council officers who are registering for the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin are asked to note that the June 2012 Concilium meeting will take place on
SATURDAY 9th June 2012 at 3.00 pm
in Legion headquarters