The recording of the Legion of Mary Centenary Closing Mass, 19 November 2022 at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Dublin is now available on YouTube.

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Centenary Art Competition

See some of the entries for the Centenary Schools Art competition which was organised by Concilium.

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From The Sacred Penitentiary: Indulgence for the Centenary

To increase the holiness of the faithful and for the salvation of souls, by virtue of the faculty granted to it in a special way by the Most Reverend Father in Christ and Our Master, the Lord Francis, by Divine Providence, Pope, having taken note of the requests made by Mary Murphy, President of the Association called the Legion of Mary, on the occasion of its one hundredth anniversary, the Apostolic Penitentiary graciously concedes from the heavenly treasures of the Church a plenary indulgence properly fulfilled under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Holy Communion and prayer for the intention of the Holy Pontiff) to the members of the association and to other members of the faithful who are truly penitent, to be gained from 7 September 2021 until 7 September 2022, which can be applied for the souls of the faithful detained in Purgatory by way of suffrage, if they visit any church of the said Association or wherever on pilgrimage and are present devoutly at the joyful celebrations, or at least recite the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed devoutly, with added pious appeals to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The aged, the sick, and all who cannot leave home for a grave reason, can gain equally the Plenary Indulgence, having evinced a detestation of sin and a purpose of amendment, where first permitted, under the three usual conditions, if they join themselves spiritually to the joyful celebrations, offering the prayers, sorrows or misfortunes of their own lives to the mercy of God.

In order to facilitate out of pastoral charity such visits for the reception of the divine forgiveness through the keys of the Church, this Penitentiary especially requests priests who have the faculties to hear the confessions of the said people, to make themselves available with prompt and generous heart for the celebration of Confession.

This letter is only valid for this purpose. All other things to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at Rome, from the seat of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on 7 of September, in the Year of Our Lord’s Incarnation 2021.

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Centenary planning: 3rd September 2021 to 19th November 2022

All Dublin City and County Libraries have accepted and were given a complimentary copy of “Miracles on Tap” by Frank Duff.

All Frank Duff books are being re-printed.

Dependant on travel restrictions due to Covid-19, for those intending to visit Dublin during the Centenary Year – a visitors’ booklet will be available. The booklet will include a tour of the graves of Legion interest at Glasnevin Cemetery – about 10 in all. These graves will be identified and a short biographical note will be supplied for each.

A media firm is being engaged to take short testimonies from legionaries of all age groups to include on social media. Video clips highlighting Legion events from the decades will also be made.

One Dublin Curia, Gloriosa, has undertaken to make a Centenary Garden and hope to involve local residents in its preparation.

Irish Legion councils are being exhorted to start planning events throughout Ireland.

The Concilium correspondents are being asked to take a special interest in this and follow up regularly with their respective councils.

Dublin Archdiocese:

The main celebrations will centre round the anniversary date of the 1st meeting in September 1921.

3rd September 2021: Vigil of Thanksgiving and Opening Mass, followed by light refreshments in Myra House, 100 Francis Street. St. Nicholas of Myra

Throughout the week it will be possible to visit places associated with the Legion of Mary during the day.

19th November 2022: Closing Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated.

Archdiocese of Armagh, Cashel & Emly and Tuam:

It is suggested that a Mass of Thanksgiving be arranged in the Cathedral of these Archdioceses with the respective Archbishops (if available) being invited to be Chief Celebrant.

A Social with light refreshments served afterwards would mark the occasion. Active, Auxiliary, Adjutorian, former members and the general public would be invited to attend.

This should not deter each Diocese (with the Bishop in attendance, where possible) organising a Mass in its own Diocese during 2021. Members (past and present) as well as the general public would be invited to join in the celebrations.

All parts of the world:

All Legion Councils throughout the world are invited to let the Concilium know their plans at local level so that every legionary can attend events local to them so as to incur little, if any cost.

Photographs and video clips of these events can be sent to Concilium as they happen.

The model set out above is suggested for every Archdiocese and Diocese of the world.

The celebration of Mass would be the highlight and centrepiece. Light refreshments, the musical and other talents to be shared afterwards.

All celebrations should be modest. It would not be in keeping with the Legion spirit to put a burden (financial or travel) on legionaries. Therefore no charge should be made and the venue should be easily accessible to all.

Neither would it be in keeping with the Legion spirit to make use of uniforms or specially made up t-shirts, dresses etc.

The member of the Legion of Mary is a leaven in society not someone publicly marked out as a legionary.

Legacy left to the Legion

It would be desirable and important to remind ourselves of the legacy left to us by those legionaries who established the Legion where we are, the officers and members who served, most if not all now deceased.

We should also call to mind the persons who have crossed our paths in the course of our Legion apostolic works.

So too should we remember with gratitude the many Bishops, Priests and Religious who have supported the Legion down through the years.

An opportunity to offer the Legion to newcomers

All of us would agree our membership has taught us much, enabled us to gain many extra graces.

The Centenary should present us with opportunities to extend that offer to many more people whose lives could be greatly enriched including primary, secondary and third level students.

Great thanks

Above all, we mark the celebrations by thanking God and Our Blessed Lady for the millions of graces they have showered upon us – members and contacts alike – since the foundation of the Legion of Mary.

Before and after

Be sure to let the Concilium know what your plans are and afterwards to send us a short report and photographs of the celebrations from your place.