Concilium Bulletin October 2023
REPORTS
DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE CURIAE
Gloriosa Curia: A Frank Duff prayer group will meet for the first time on 5th November in Mount Olivet. A recent Curia outreach in Chapelizod resulted in some great contacts being made. There will be a follow up at all Masses next weekend. Public rosary in Ballyfermot was attended by fifteen people, including an Indian husband and wife. The wife’s father is an active member of the Legion of Mary in India. Our Lady of Mount Carmel praesidium in Celbridge has recruited a husband and wife into their praesidium. Our Lady Mother of the Church praesidium, Palmerstown and Our Lady of the Nativity praesidium, Leixlip have each acquired a Spiritual Director recently. Home visitation is ongoing on a weekly basis in Celbridge where legionaries are preparing children who have missed out on school, for Confirmation. A new praesidium in Maynooth University will meet for the first time on Monday.
Mater Ecclesiae Curia: Up to six members carry out street contact in Dún Laoghaire every Saturday morning. This has resulted in six new members joining the local Most Gracious Advocate praesidium. One of the newly recruited members is also a Concilium correspondent now. The works of one praesidium include volunteering at the Morning Star hostel, bringing Holy Communion to the housebound and engaging in street contact- which focuses on those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol- in the city centre. The title of the last Patrician meeting- attended by nine people- was “Our Third National Language”.
Annunciata Curia: A praesidium which has had low membership over the years gathers daily with parishioners in the church to pray the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Members distribute the parish bulletin to the sick and elderly. The main work of another praesidium is home visitation which is carried out almost every week. Legionaries promote the causes of Venerable Edel Quinn, Servant of God Frank Duff and Servant of God Alfie Lambe. They also promote the Miraculous Medal and the Real Presence. In addition to this they distribute thirty-five copies of Maria Legionis. On feasts of Our Blessed Lady, they organise a public rosary. A recent recruiting drive resulted in two new people joining the praesidium. Another praesidium hopes to re-start meetings next week.
Immaculata Curia: Recruiting drives were held in Crumlin and Tallaght recently. All praesidia have Project 300 on their weekly agenda. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart praesidium delivered its first annual report. Home visitation is carried out with emphasis on encouraging lapsed Catholics to return to Sunday Mass. Home visitation is also an opportunity to recruit new members. Other works include nursing home visitation, public rosary, and volunteering in the Morning Star hostel. Recent Patrician meetings’ titles include ‘The necessity of Prayer’ and ‘St Maria Goretti’. The average attendance at these Patrician meetings is fourteen, half of whom are non-legionaries. A monthly Frank Duff prayer eeting is held on an ongoing basis.
IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT
COMITIA
Down and Connor Comitium: Legionaries attended the Frank Duff Ceremony, General Correspondence meeting and the Concilium meeting in September. Two young adults attended the Young Adult Youth Conference. Each member is contacting six people every week and a report is given. The membership of one praesidium increased from four to nineteen members. Down Curia reported for May to July with two thousand, five hundred (2,500) Miraculous Medals distributed at a Legion of Mary stand. In the rest of the Comitium four hundred and thirty-one (431) contacts were made to join the Legion of Mary and eight new members were gained. The Rosary Festival in Belfast was promoted at the Concilium meeting and was a great success with eight hundred in attendance on Rosary Sunday 8th October.
Derry Comitium: The attendance at the Comitium meeting has improved. The annual report of Spouse of St. Joseph with nine active and twenty-five auxiliaries was given. The legionaries received a lovely reception at the homes after Covid. The apostolate includes home and statue visitation. Mass is celebrated once a month at a nursing home and legionaries also bring Holy Communion to the residents.
Raphoe Comitium: Attendance at the Comitium meetings is fair. Efforts are being made to start a praesidium in Gortahork. One new member was recently recruited in Convoy. The president of the Comitium has arranged to speak after Mass in Letterkenny Church while other legionaries will give out cards with details of meetings. One praesidium conducts a book barrow where many good contacts are made, and Miraculous Medals are distributed.
Navan Comitium: A total of seven new members were reported at the June meeting. The book barrow at the shopping centre is proving successful with good contacts being made there. A praesidium of five active members and thirty auxiliaries reported home and hospital visitation as their work. Rosaries are recited in some of the local schools at which Miraculous Medals are given to the children. Five members of a praesidiun in Castlepollard took part in the weekend May project in Edgeworthstown. The attached Dolorosa Curia in Mullingar has four senior praesidia and one junior praesidium attached.
The junior praesidium in Mullingar has seventeen members and carries out work arranged by/with seniors. There was a large attendance at the Mass for the three causes celebrated by Bishop Thomas Deenihan and concelebrated by Fr. Declan Hurley.
Dromore Comitium: A visit was made to the Comitium meeting on 11th October by the correspondent and the group leader. They had a meeting with the officers over lunch and after the Comitium meeting. Great efforts are being made to restart dormant praesidia and extend the Legion of Mary to new parishes. The officers are looking forward to coming to a Concilium meeting in the months ahead.
CURIAE
Drogheda Curia: A 33 Day Consecration to Jesus through Mary was held from the 28th of April to 31st of May. Between forty and fifty people attended the closing Mass. Reports were given on extension efforts. One legionary reported on her Peregrantio Pro Christo (PPC) project in Kent where three thousand, four hundred and eighty-seven (3,487) homes were visited. The Legion of Mary took part in the May Day Procession in Drogheda from Our Lady of Lourdes Church to St. Peter’s Church where Mass was celebrated. The Curia retreat was held in July.
Clonmacnoise Curia: The praesidium in Athlone organised a recruiting drive in Athlone and Mount Temple. They received help from nearby councils. Two members came to the next meeting and efforts are being made to find a suitable time for all the members. A public rosary was organised on the Feast of the Assumption with members of the Legion of Mary and the public in attendance.
Armagh Curia: A new president was elected as Sr. Margaret Mc Manus had completed her second term of three years. The annual report was from Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception praesidium, Armagh. The praesidium has ten active members and five on probation. An intermediate praesidium of six members and a junior praesidium of ten members are attached. Works include visitation of two primary schools and a grammar school where a talk was given on the rosary, and rosary beads were given to all. A recruiting drive is planned for Coalisland for 21st and 22nd October.
Dundalk Curia: The Curia has unfortunately only two praesidia, one in Dundalk and one in Kilsaran. A praesidium of ten members in Kilsaran gave its annual report. The apostolate includes organising two hours of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each week. The rosary is recited in the cemetery in Kilsaran and Stabannon. Many other works of service are also undertaken by the legionaries.
Kilmore Curia: The praesidium in Cavan town with fourteen members is going well. A visit was made to the priest in Baileboro and the president spoke at the Mass on Saturday night and again on Sunday. An information meeting was planned for the following Thursday.
EUROPE
Senatus of Austria: The Summer School in July was very much enjoyed by all who took part.
Praesidia reports: The main work of a praesidium of nine members is the care of Persians. Holy Mass is celebrated there and a weekly prayer gathering is held. A statue of Our Lady is brought to Persian households. A Nazareth group for children and street apostolate is done regularly. A praesidium of twelve members reported good aftercare to its forty auxiliaries and making great efforts to extend the Legion of Mary to new parishes. Patrician meetings are held and families for First Holy Communion are visited with the Pilgrim statue.
Curia reports: Vienna Curia shows growth with new members and others taking the promise. Visitation of the attached praesidia was reported. Many people went to confession following contact work at a retreat.
Comitia reports: In Unterdem Comitium one new praesidium was set up and another one is being planned. Zelig Comitium reported the establishment of a new praesidium which brings the number of directly attached praesidia to thirteen. Visitation of the attached praesidia by Hollabrunn Comitium was reported. The establishment of a new praesidium was recorded.
Countries under the care of Austria
Moldovia:
Chisinau Curia recorded a better attendance at the Curia meetings and the need to work in pairs to adhere to the Legion of Mary system.
Bulgaria: A two-day visit to Vienna was suggested to help them to get to know the Legion of Mary system.
Slovakia: The legionaries in Trnava Curia prepared forty children from a children’s home for the sacraments.
CROATIA:
Zagreb Regia and countries under caretakership.
Zagreb Regia. Extension efforts are ongoing with approaches to new parishes for a presentation on the Legion of Mary. Praesidia reports: Street contact and home visitation are included in the apostolate. Aftercare of auxiliaries, nursing homes, and homes for children with special needs is also provided. Seventeen people have received the sacraments following on from home visitation.
Reports:
Curiae: Rijeka Curia reported very good efforts to bring the Legion of Mary to new parishes. The legionaries were instrumental in three returns to the sacraments. In another Curia the legionaries were encouraged to do more home visitation to help guide young people to the sacramental life.
Comitia reports:
Split Comitium has thirteen praesidia and two Curiae with one hundred and ninety active (190) and seven hundred and fifty-one (751) auxiliary members. The Comitium has a wide variety of works including park contact, street contact and home visitation. Nineteen people received confession and Holy Communion, one person was baptised, three people received the sacrament of confirmation, and one pair was married in Church.
Zadar Comitium reported good solid work including home and statue visitation.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA:
Sarajevo Curia has four praesidia with twenty-one (21) active and one hundred and sixty (160) auxiliary members. The officers are happy to be able to attend the Regia meeting again.
ROMANIA:
Satu Mare Regia. The praesidium in the Holy Spirit Parish Satu Mare comprised of twelve members and sixteen auxiliaries reported 100% attendance at the praesidium meetings. The apostolate includes helping elderly and ill people to attend the sacraments, leading the rosary in Church, bringing people to Adoration, and many other works of service.
Carei Comitium reported the Acies was held on 25th March and included celebration of Holy Mass which was attended by one hundred legionaries from eight praesidia. A new treasurer for the Regia has been elected after the position having been vacant for a long time.
LATVIA:
Latvia Riga Comitium. There are eight praesidia attached to the Comitium and two Curiae. Mother of Christ praesidium visits the oncology ward in Riga University Hospital and arranges for the priest to visit sick patients. They also visit a care centre for the visually impaired and arrange for Mass to be celebrated in the centre once a week. Immaculate Conception praesidium- with a small number of members- visits the local prison and distributes religious reading material.
Curiae report:
The Rezekne Curia has eight praesidia attached which shows growth of two praesidia over the last year.
Belarus - Minsk Comitium. Attendance of the directly attached praesidia and Curiae is good. Good efforts are being made to extend the legion to new parishes. The reports of two praesidia with nine and twelve members shows that the legionaries are engaging in a good apostolate of hospital visitation, home visits to sick parishioners and accompanying the priest on visits to the homes. Baranovichi Comitium. The attendance at the Comitium meetings is good. The attached Mother of Lidia Curia has six praesidia attached with very good membership. The apostolate includes promotion and distribution of the Miraculous Medal, visitation of auxiliary members, visitation of the sick, engaging in apostolate in the bookshop and many other works of service. Visitation of the attached praesidia was also recorded in the minutes.
LITHUANIA:
Telsiai Comitium. Praesidia reports: The Queen of Holy Rosary, a youth praesidium attends Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays, visits the nursing home, sick and elderly people. The members help the Salesian brothers as volunteers in camps and other events and participated in Summer Camp for Youth organised by Franciscans.
Curiae reports:
A praesidium reported a sixty-year-old woman converted and received her First Communion and a child was baptized. Legionaries also organise and supervise three rosary groups.
Kaunas Comitium: They reported visiting their attached Curiae and praesidia and are also organising a Congress for October.
HUNGARY:
Budapest Regia. Elections were held for Regia officers. Reports- The apostolate of a praesidium of seven members is helping the sick to access the sacraments and to organise a spiritual day retreat for them. In Advent, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is organised for young people to help them to deepen their faith. In another praesidium several people completed the 33 days Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
Curiae reports:
The attached Curia reported promoting the Miraculous Medal and organising Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the First Saturday of the month.
POLAND:
Warsaw Praga Comitium. Five legionaries of a praesidium have taken the Legion promise. In one of the attached praesidia two men joined the Legion of Mary, and it was agreed that more men should be invited to Legion of Mary membership. A new praesidium with twelve members was set up in Kolka Curia.
Warsaw Comitium: A retreat for legionaries was well-attended. The attached praesidia and Curiae are visited. The apostolate of a Curia of eight praesidia is promotion and distribution of the Miraculous Medal, support of the sick and disabled and many Church activities.
Lublin Regia: Attendance at the Regia meetings of praesidia and Curiae is good. One of the attached praesidia does home visitation. One Curia reported seven new members who took the promise. Two people were brought to confession and fifteen people joined in praying the rosary. There is no presence of the Legion of Mary in Slovenia or Serbia.
AFRICA
BURUNDI:
Senatus of Gitega-Burundi: This Senatus organised a three-day national session for Comitia in August 2023 and a separate three-day session for public sector workers, young people, students, and traders also in August. On 3rd September a number of Comitia organised a competition for young Catholics, including legionaries and other Catholics, to test their knowledge of their Faith, the Church in Burundi, and the Legion of Mary system. There were a variety of other contests including art, sketches, poetry, dances, and somersaults. Prizes included Legion of Mary handbooks, Statues of Our Lady, Miraculous Medals, Tesserae etc. Five hundred young people attended. We give thanks and rejoice that Père Jean de Dieu Kezimana, a former president of a praesidium in the St John Paul II Seminary, was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Rutana on 15th July.
Buhoro Comitium: Archdiocese of Gitega, reported in July. They have five Curiae, forty-four praesidia including nine junior praesidia, nine hundred and fifty (950) active legionaries including three hundred and eight (308) junior legionaries and twenty (20) auxiliaries. During the year they gained seven praesidia including one junior praesidium, one hundred and eighty-one (181) active legionaries including forty (40) juniors, and fourteen (14) auxiliaries. They focus a lot on inviting people to join the Legion of Mary. They engage in evangelisation and carry out works of consolation to the sick.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO:
Senatus of Lubumbashi:
This senatus reported a total of fifteen thousand, three hundred and fifty-four (15,354) active members and seven hundred and seventy- two (772) auxiliaries and a good number of probationers, while noting that not all councils are included in these statistics. Some works mentioned are visiting the sick and those suffering, orphans and widows as well as contacting the young, both Catholics and non-Catholics. Due to lack of funds, they are not able to visit the far-away councils and vice versa, which means a high number of excuses and absenteeism, which in some cases have only a 30% attendance. Also, there is a high number of members who cannot read or write (among the older age group). To counteract these problems, the Senatus is trying to mix the young and older members in the praesidia and upwards.
Senatus of Butembo:
he meeting was attended by eighty-seven, including the Spiritual Director and legionaries from six Comitia and one praesidium. A letter was read from Sr. Mary Murphy, then President of Concilium, informing them that his Holiness Pope Francis congratulated all members of the Legion of Mary on the celebration of their Centenary.
Help was given to the disabled, widows, orphans, prisoners, and war displaced. Two hundred and ninety-eight (298) marriages were blessed. Four thousand, three hundred and seventy-nine (4,379) were helped through moral and spiritual aid etc. Peace was restored in families, and a large number had their children baptised. Protestants, Adventists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses were converted. Children were taught catechism, and several fathers stopped engaging in polygamy as did women in similar relationships. Lapsed Catholics returned to confession and practice. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was held, and rosaries were recited. Prayers were asked for the success of the World Youth Day in Lisbon. In August the Senatus meeting was attended by the Spiritual Director and eighty-two participants from one Regia and two Comitia councils. Similar apostolic works were carried out. Pregnant women, abandoned children and many people in need of strengthening were helped. The Spiritual Director emphasised that the Church is the Body of Christ which all Christians join at their baptism and are given a particular work to do. The bishop asked councils in the Senatus to look out for young people and juniors so that they would have adults to guide them. Emphasis was put on September being the month of devotion to the Guardian Angels. In September the Senatus meeting was attended by seventy-two people. Correspondence was received from Br. Declan Lawlor, newly elected President of Concilium, congratulating the Senatus on their 75th Jubilee in the Diocese of Butembo-Beni. A letter of thanks was received from the bishop of the diocese thanking them for their support of his Jubilee of twenty-five years in the diocese. Prayers were asked for the elections in November for new officers of the Regia.
Senatus of Bukavu:
This Senatus reported the launch by the Kindu Comitium of the Legion of Mary in the parish of Saint Léon in Lubelenge-which is nineteen kilometres from Kindu- with the establishment of a praesidium there. Recruitment of sixty-nine (69) auxiliary members and twenty-five (25) adult legionaries occurred. Care was given to fourteen families who were left homeless after their homes burned down. Visits were carried out to prisoners, the sick, widows and orphans. Counselling was given to Christians who have abandoned the Catholic Church to join religious sects, legionaries who no longer attend meetings and to lapsed Catholics. Catechesis was provided for young people to prepare them for the sacraments. Counselling was given to people in conflict also. The Regia of Goma has many difficulties in working because of the armed groups there. It is worth pointing out that in these different Senatus, legionaries are chosen as catechists, readers, choristers and guardians of peace at the church.
Senatus of Kinshasa:
On Sunday the 26th March all the praesidia attended the Acies in their parishes. On 1st May the Senatus opened the month of Mary with Masses. Legionaries were recommended to promote praying of the rosary prayer within families, with the legionaries to be the first to do so in their own families. On the 31st May, the month of Mary concluded with a solemn Mass. Every June the Senatus organises a day for junior legionaries in one of the parishes of the Diocese of Kinshasa. This is an opportunity for the juniors to attract other young people to join the Legion of Mary. They also organise a visit to their councils in Maluku. Unfortunately, this was not possible this year as there were some rebels who were killing people in this part of Kinshasa. We ask for your prayers during this difficult time. A retreat was held to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on the 15thAugust. On 1st October the Month of the Rosary began in the Congo. It was recommended to legionaries to recite the full rosary, including the Luminous Mysteries. It is envisaged that by the next report the census will be finalised and a report available on how the Legion of Mary is progressing after Covid.
Senatus of Kananga:
A retreat was organised at the military police camp. A retreat was organised for legionaries at Easter. A new grotto was constructed in honour of the Virgin Mary. Prayers were organised in front of the grottoes after Mass. Awareness was raised of the need to attend Masses on major religious feasts, the importance of Adoration and the sacraments. Visitation of the sick in hospitals and health centres was also carried out.
Senatus Notre Dame du Très Saint Rosaire de Kisangani:
Visitation of a congregation of forty-three Franciscan Sisters of Mary to become adjutorians was carried out. Sixty-one (61) junior legionaries and fifty-eight (58) senior legionaries, including thirty-five (35) in a military camp were recruited. The Senatus carried out visitation of the sick in hospitals, at home and of those abandoned by their families, as well as widows and orphans. Visitation of thirty-six Protestants and of prisoners in the central prison was also carried out. There was a focus on raising awareness of young people against telephone theft. The Senatus also engaged in catechesis of young people and raising couples’ awareness of religious marriage.
MAURITIUS Regia / incl. RODRIGUES:
Some beautiful photographs of legionaries participating at many functions such as retreats, processions and Legion of Mary meetings, holding banners and looking very joyful were sent in addition to the meeting minutes. All groups organised rosaries at grottoes, etc. during May. A special Legion of Mary stand was manned by members at a Day of Vocations held in Thabor in October. A retreat was organised by the Regia recently and other retreats were organised also by many Curiae to help strengthen the faith. A Mass was animated by junior legionaries helped by seniors in September. They have been in touch with their new Bishop Michael Durlone for a replacement of their Spiritual Director, Father Octavian who has been transferred to Australia. We thank him for his many years of service to the Legion of Mary. Treasurer’s statements show printing and sale of Tesserae and sale of Handbooks but no mention of Miraculous Medals and this needs attention.
RWANDA:
Senatus of Kigali:
The June and July minutes are the first reports to be received by the correspondent since Covid started. Rwanda was one of the last countries in Africa where restrictions became more relaxed. The main item mentioned was the election of the new Senatus officers. Also, the hierarchy appointed a new Spiritual Director to the Senatus, as the previous Spiritual Director passed away. Father Clet Nahayo was one of the Rwandese who visited Concilium a number of years ago, so he knows the Legion of Mary very well. One needs to take notice of Comitium Nyyundo, which has forty-four Curiae and thirty attached praesidia with a total of over five thousand, five hundred (5,500) members. A restructuring of the set-up in Rwanda is very necessary, as the Senatus is also waiting for the final go ahead to raise two new Regiae.
ASIA
JAPAN:
Osaka Senatus. At the initiative of the Senatus officers a discussion took place at which members spoke openly about present and future challenges. Omoni Mother of Immaculate Curia- of Ikuno Church- gave its report. Four praesidia are attached: two Japanese and two Korean speaking. Curia officers are active in encouraging the members by visitation and supporting any functions. The members in their turn, although advanced in years, show great loyalty to attending their meetings and are determined to continue their service to our Blessed Mother, while their health allows them.
KOREA:
Seoul Senatus. Archbishop Peter CHUNG Soon-Taick presided at the Mass in Seoul commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Legion of Mary in Korea. An Anniversary Exhibition held in conjunction with this event, originally intended to run from 28th June to 6th July, was so well received that it was extended to 16th July with the Archbishop providing a separate venue free of charge. Reports from attached councils show many returns to the sacraments and recruiting of catechumens. A lady from North Korea was helped to come into the Church as were a Protestant family.
Gwanju Senatus. To mark the 70th anniversary, the Senatus prepared an action plan on the theme of ‘Recovery of Faith in the True Devotion of Mary’ and has called on all attached Councils to implement this in order to revitalize the Legion of Mary in their areas. There has been a ready response to this as can be seen in the reports. For example, one Comitium reported of forty (40) people baptized, one hundred and forty-six (146) returns to the sacraments and ninety (90) people joining the Legion of Mary.
Daegu Senatus. Contact has been re-established with the Senatus after communication ceased with the onset of Covid early in 2020. The minutes of September 2023 have been received and these show an active apostolate. Also received were details of the elections of vice president, secretary and treasurer.
MALAYSIA:
Kuala Lumpur Regia: Reports were taken from five Curiae with a total membership of three hundred and ninety-seven (397) active and six hundred and ninety- four (694) auxiliary members. Works reported included home, hospital, and care-home visitation. Legionaries assist with the liturgy in their churches. Contact with non-Catholic families was also reported. Five praesidia in a distant area are being formed into a Curia.
HONG KONG:
The junior Curia organized formation days for their members to which parents were invited. Senior legionaries have recommenced visitation of the women’s prison. They support prisoners and encourage them to better themselves on release. They also write to prisoners through an association dedicated to that apostolate.
SINGAPORE:
Senatus reported several outdoor functions were well attended, for example, three hundred (300) attended a candlelit rosary procession. Crowd contact is carried out in the market and on the streets. Twenty-six juniors attended a Lenten retreat organized by Kuching Comitium, (East Malaysia). Legionaries in Sibu Comitium recited a daily rosary in the Cathedral during May. A day of talks on the value of Legion of Mary membership organized for students was attended by thirty-eight (38) non- legionaries.
INDONESIA:
Jakarta Senatus. Bogor Comitium established a new Curia. The Legion of Mary is now in this area for sixty years and an anniversary Mass was celebrated in commemoration of this occasion. Forty-two (42) new members have joined praesidia in South Jakarta Curia. A praesidium has been established in the Seminary.
Malang Senatus. The Comitium reporting, which is based in South Sulawesi, has one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-nine (1,789) active and two hundred and seventy- three (273) auxiliary members. Patrician meetings featured in reports.
Kaupang Senatus. A variety of works were mentioned in reports. Legionaries encouraged unwed couples to marry in church and arranged baptism of children. One attached Regia has a membership of nine thousand, eight hundred and ten (9,810) senior and two thousand, five hundred (2,500) junior members.
TAIWAN:
Ximzhu’s Queen of Apostle’s Curia has thirteen praesidia with one hundred and seven active members. They continually reach out to young and active members in their parishes to join the Legion of Mary. Mystical Rose Curia in the Taipei 5th and 6th Deanery has seventeen attached praesidia with one hundred and sixty-five members. The average attendance at Curia meetings is 88%. The importance of recruiting is emphasized by Curia officers and Spiritual Directors at both Curiae. A general correspondents meeting was held in July. A new editor is being sought for the Legion’s Newsletter.
SOUTH AMERICA
ARGENTINA:
Both Buenos Aires and Salta Senatus are thrilled to be asked to send extension workers to assist Cordoba Senatus. They feel honoured to be asked by Concilium to affiliate two Regiae formally belonging to the Cordoba Senatus. In the many poor barrios immigrants from neighbouring countries have prayer groups which in time will become praesidia. The Regia of Buenos Aires City publish a Legion of Mary magazine, called As the Morning Rising, distributed free of charge on the internet. Prayers are asked for the Senatus Spiritual Director Fr. Mirko who died recently. R.I.P.
Salta Senatus: Special devotions are held for the Bolivian community for Our Lady of Urkupiña. The Alfie Lambe committee are making plans for next year’s gathering at Alfie’s graveside. On 21st of each month a 24-hour rosary is said, praying for Alfie’s beatification.
Cordoba Senatus: The Senatus has been informed of the changes in affiliation of their distant Comitia of San Juan and La Rioja. The hierarchy has also been informed and the new councils to which these Comitia have been affiliated (the Regiae of Mendoza and Tucuman respectively).
Corrientes Regia: The Regia dissolved a Curia to increase the number of praesidia directly attached to the Regia to thirteen, to strengthen the Regia body. The 5th Youth Conference took place in the Regia area from 15th to 17th July. A Curia reported its works include visits to the sick and works of service for them, street contact, and visits to the women’s prison on Women’s Day.
Rosario Regia: They held the Acies celebration on 24th March, for all the praesidia and councils of Rosario Archdiocese (Santa Fe Comitium and Parana Comitium did the same – one Acies per one higher council). Rosario’s Acies was presided over by the Archbishop. In February, the Regia’s officers had met the Rosario Archbishop Msgr. Martin, and he asked them to keep spreading the Legion of Mary. They promote Eucharistic Adoration. Some praesidia report public rosaries in parks and in houses with contacts with contacts being made. One has a legionary library. The Regia held a beautiful procession on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of the Rosary being the Patron Saint of the city, the Archdiocese and the Regia itself.
BRAZIL:
Belem Senatus: Visits are made to hospitals with Holy Communion brought to the sick. Domestic visits are done with rosary recitation. Non- Catholic families are visited.
Belo Horizonte Senatus: The vice-president carried out an extensive visit to a Curia area in Águas Vermelhas for eight days with the Curia officers. Another Senatus visited there also to meet with young people. A meeting of young people was organised by the Curia. An attached Regia reports legionaries made over a thousand (1.000) visits to infirm and elderly people bringing them Holy Communion. A Comitium report shows visits to one hundred and thirty-eight (138) prisoners.
Ponta Grossa Senatus: The legionaries visited homes, hospitals, homes for the elderly and presided over the rosary in public squares. They visited families, led apostolic days in neighbourhoods and streets. They visited and cared for families with physical difficulties.
Recife Senatus: Around one thousand, five hundred (1,500) legionaries took part in the celebrations for the 102nd Anniversary of the Legion of Mary and the 66th Anniversary locally. Dom Paulo Jackson, Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, and five Spiritual Directors were present. Five youth praesidia were founded. The Senatus organised a Peregrinatio Pro Christo in the city of Timbaúba with seventy participants. An Interstate Legionary Youth Meeting was held, with three hundred and fifty (350) young people and five Spiritual Directors taking part in the city of Cupira.
Salvador Senatus: More than one hundred and fourteen visits were made to Protestant families. On All Souls’ Day, legionaries travelled to cemeteries and presided over the rosary at the graves of the deceased. They also guided Stations of the Cross in churches and on the streets. The attached Regia of Aracaju organised the preparation for the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, according to Saint Louis-Marie de Monfort, for one hundred legionaries, forty of whom made the Consecration/ Renewal. They organised and guided the Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Divine Shepherdess, in which three thousand (3,000) legionaries took part.
Santa Maria Senatus: Works include visits to hospitals, sick people in homes, visits to homes for minors and young people, visits to asylums, adult and juvenile penitentiaries. A large number of legionaries are catechists in their communities. There are also many extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
São Paulo Senatus: Reports show many visits to homes and the sick and the preparation of many for the sacraments. A Peregrinatio Pro Christo included many visits and street contacts. Many of those visited began to attend Mass.
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HANDBOOK REFLECTIONS
Last month, we focused on the importance of attendance of ‘In- person’ Meetings in the Legion of Mary. We pondered on the handbook stating of the Legion of Mary that
‘When it has brought together, as fellow members of the one praesidium, persons whom the world was keeping apart, it has accomplished something really great’ and that ‘as the burning lens is to the rays of the sun, so is the meeting to the members. The focus collects them, begets the fire, and kindles everything that comes near it. It is the meeting which makes the Legion. This bond sundered or disesteemed, the members drop away and the work falls to the ground. Conversely, in measure as the meeting is respected, so is the power of the organisation intensified.’
Following on from this, the extract chosen from ‘Some Handbook Reflections’ this month is entitled
Attendance at Council Meetings (p.41-43)
“The Curia stands in much the same relation to its members as a praesidium does to its members. Thus, all that it said in these pages regarding the attendance and conduct of legionaries at their praesidium meetings is to be taken as applying equally to the attitude of praesidium representatives towards their Curia meetings. Zeal in other respects will not compensate for failure on the part of officers to give a faithful attendance at meetings of their Curia.” (Handbook 28:2: 12)
While the above quotation refers to attendance at meetings of the Curia, it also refers obviously to attendance at meetings of higher councils by officers of directly- attached praesidia. These officers form the main core attendance at meetings of higher councils and their regular and punctual attendance is vital, therefore, to the life of the councils.
In regard to a higher council which normally combines with its own proper functions of a lower council, particularly that of a Curia, the handbook says: “The combination of the functions of such higher body with those of the lower will ensure a large and constant attendance of members. These will not only perform the duties proper to the lower council, but will be interested and educated in the work of the higher body. It then becomes possible to enlist them in the all-important supervisory, extension, and clerical work of the higher body.” (28:1:19b)
It is evident from the above that the officers of praesidia directly-affiliated to a higher council have an important role to play in the functioning of that council. They are being given the opportunity of assisting in the government of the Legion over an area wider than their own local area. It would be a pity if they failed to take this opportunity. Irregular attendance or lack of active participation in the meetings of the higher council can only be detrimental to the functioning of the council. It would be a mistake for officers of directly-affiliated praesidia to think that they should be concerned only for their own local area and that the wider area governed by the council is of concern only to the officers of the council and the officers of affiliated councils and correspondents.
Attendance at higher council meetings of officers of affiliated councils is also, of course, of great importance. In the case of a Curia attached to a Comitium, the handbook says: “…it would be permissible to deal with the business of that Curia and to require the attendance of its representatives only at every second or third meeting of the Comitium.” (28:2:2) In the case of a Senatus or Regia, however, in view of the greater responsibilities which such a council bears, it is expected that officers of affiliated councils will attend each month unless due to distance, etc. this is not possible. The handbook says: “The representatives of every affiliated council have the duty to attend and no doubt conscientiously do so to the best of their ability.” (28:1 :19b)
It is important that officers of praesidia and councils as well as all members of praesidia should realise the spiritual value of attendance at meetings. In chapter 21, The Mystical Home of Nazareth, the handbook says: “A particular application of the Doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ may be made to the Legion meetings…” Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Mt 18:20)
These words of our Lord assure us that his influential presence in the members of his Mystical Body is intensified according to the number in which they unite to serve him. He specifies number as a condition for the complete displaying of his power.” While this chapter refers mainly to the praesidium meeting, it surely applies also to Council meetings.
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New Frank Duff Essays Website
Last month we mentioned that we would update you this month on the latest news about a new website containing the essays Frank Duff wrote during his life.
We are delighted to announce that the website has now been launched. Many thanks to all involved in facilitating this.
The address of the website is frank-duff-essays.com.
It is a great gift for all to have free access to this extensive bank of very enriching resources.
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Promotion of the Cause of Founder of the Legion of Mary
Frank Duff (7th June 1889- 7th November 1980)
With the very recent completion of photocopying four times each of over thirty thousand (30,000) letters written by Frank Duff during his life, and the upcoming anniversary of his departure from this life on 7th November 1980, now is a very appropriate time for placing renewed emphasis on making Servant of God Frank Duff better known, among legionaries and among the general public.
In light of the above, each council is being asked to renew its efforts to better promote the cause, as a copy of each of the letters that Frank Duff wrote during his life is to be sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints as Servant of God Frank Duff’s cause advances.
It brings great joy for example to hear in the reports this month of a Frank Duff Prayer Meeting beginning in Dublin on 5th November. We also heard of a monthly Frank Duff Prayer Meeting which is held on an ongoing basis.
How many more Frank Duff Prayer Meetings could be established throughout the world in the coming months?
This may well be a work that would particularly suit some legionaries… perhaps this is the work that is waiting on you for it to exist in your area?
Along with others, will you step out in faith and make the effort to commence a Frank Duff Prayer Meeting in your area?
If one or some already exist, surely now is the time for more?
If the idea of a monthly meeting sounds too much for you to begin with, would you consider initially holding a meeting maybe every two months or every three months which could then, in time, evolve into a monthly meeting?
Let us not be put off by any lack of confidence or lack of courage.. let us step out in faith.. how beautiful to add to the collective prayer of Frank Duff Prayer Meetings worldwide, and to expand the worldwide calendar of dates and times of Frank Duff Prayer Meetings held globally?
The following is the suggested format for a Frank Duff Prayer Meeting which would usually last about one hour:
1. Opening Prayers and Rosary
2. Welcome to all, especially new participants
3. Short reading from the writings of Frank Duff- discussion can follow
4. Requests for prayer intentions
5. News of any favours received
6. Recitation of the prayer for the beatification of Servant of God, Frank Duff
7. Place, date and time of next meeting
8. Blessing of a priest (if one is present)
The newly-launched website frank-duff-essays.com freely provides the essays that Frank Duff wrote and which could be used for the short reading in the Frank Duff Prayer Meeting and to spark discussion.
Frank Duff wrote books such as Miracles on Tap:The Incredible Transformation of Dublin’s Bentley Place and booklets such as Can We Be Saints? and Gems of Wisdom which could also be used for the reading and discussion.
Please do keep us informed with news from your area. Please God these efforts will bear many fruits and graces aiming towards beatification if/when it is God’s will.
For all enquiries contact: [email protected]