Concilium Bulletin December 2014
EUROPE
SPAIN
Madrid Senatus: Both men and women are contacted in the Red Light district. Drug addicts are also met. Legionaries ask only two questions: “What is your name and how are you?” They realise that their work involves dialogue, not monologue, and offer any help the contacts may need. Spiritual topics are always discussed. There is a praesidium of University students in the Maria Medianera Curia and students are contacted in Mosteles. One Curia reports the setting up of a new praesidium in an area they describe as, ‘mission territory’. Patrician meeting topics are based on the Catechism. Recruiting for active members is on-going. Many Spiritual Directors encourage penitents to become active Legion members.
Barcelona Senatus: Palma de Mallorca praesidium has 20 members, some of whom are from Chile, France and Venezuela. Teaching catechism to children resulted in 1 Baptism, 12 First Communions and 9 Confirmations.
Bilbao Senatus: A Bilbao praesidium with 5 active, 2 Praetorians, l4 Adjutorians, plus 94 auxiliary members engages in street contact, which includes speaking to prostitutes; one such person abandoned prostitution. The legionaries help with contact work in other parishes. Visitation is also made to the blind and to Alzheimer’s sufferers. The Rosary is recited on the radio every Thursday alternately by an active and an auxiliary member. The Durango Curia celebrated its 50th anniversary and recruited 2 members and 1 auxiliary in the past year. They have good contacts with immigrants, including two families from Senegal. Leon has a new adult praesidium. There is a book barrow apostolate in Basauri.
PORTUGAL
Lisbon Senatus: Spiritual and psychological support was given to people suffering distress after having being declared bankrupt. Extension resulted in 3 new praesidia in the Regia of Porto. Two more praesidia are planned for Faro. One praesidium was revived with the recruitment of four new members. In the Parede Curia the Rosary is recited in a Dialysis Clinic. In Portela legionaries visit the Parish Day Centre where they lead the Rosary and distribute Holy Communion. The Azores reports catechesis, promoting the Scouts and involvement in all the pastoral programmes.
CYPRUS: Members of the 3 praesidia in Nicosia went to Larnaca where they visited a Rest Home. They listened to the residents’ personal problems and encouraged them. Miraculous Medals were distributed and gratefully accepted.
ITALY
Rome Senatus: This council is centred on the Salus Populi Romana Curia with 10 attached praesidia. It has 7 other affiliated Curiae in Rome and 9 Curiae in Southern Italy. In addition there are 3 Comitia, one in Rimini on the Adriatic, one in Sicily and one in Sardinia. A new praesidium was established at Cerenova in Rome. Extension is reported on at each meeting.
Pope Francis on one of his parish visits greeted a group of legionaries and said: “I value the work of the Legion of Mary because the Legion has fighting spirit. Keep on fighting the good fight.” Milan Regia: A Filipino praesidium reported 21 Baptisms, 16 First Holy Communions, 28 Confirmations, and 3 marriages regularised. One praesidium has an apostolate to convicts. A Patrician meeting has an attendance of 12 to 20 young people, some of whom travel a good distance to attend. The Italian translation of the “Life of Alfie Lambe” by Hilda Firtel is being re-printed. Padova Comitium: One praesidium reported 49 Adjutorian members on roll. 45 attended an Auxiliary Rally. A religious painting competition for elementary schools was organised by a praesidium in Lana Curia in the Austrian Tyrol.
MALTA
Malta Regia: Praesidia report the teaching of catechism and Retreats for auxiliaries. A praesidium with 16 members does home and hospital visitation, and visits auxiliaries. Contact is maintained with a couple in an irregular marriage. Another praesidium reported taking the statue of Our Lady to shops and various clubs, making good contacts. Queen of Peace Curia gained new members from a Recruiting Drive. Another Curia reported that three families agreed to have their homes consecrated to the Sacred Heart. 31 new auxiliaries were enrolled and some names taken for active membership. The new praesidium set up by Mother and Teacher Curia has ten members. An Exploratio Dominicalis project by a praesidium in Mother of the Good Shepherd Curia contacted 40 families, 10 of which agreed to have their homes consecrated to the Sacred Heart. Hope of the World Curia reported that one family was received into the Church. A young woman was persuaded not to have an abortion, and one person returned to the Sacraments after a lapse of forty one years. A junior Curia with eleven praesidia continues its work of extension. The legionaries mainly carry out their apostolate with fellow students. An open air youth Mass had an attendance of between 130 and 150. 60 juniors attended a three-day Retreat, which included Mass, Confession, Rosary, games and various social activities. A very positive feedback was received. Gozo Comitium: The officers had their annual meeting with the Bishop, which lasted one and a half hours. In Holy Week two senior legionaries and two intermediates distributed details of the ceremonies in the various parishes. On 12th April, 41 young legionaries took part in a Via Crucis followed by a supper in remembrance of the Last Supper of Our Lord.
COUNTRIES UNDER CARETAKERSHIP OF MALTA
TURKEY: There are four praesidia in Istanbul. In Izmir there is a praesidium with16 members.
GREECE: The praesidium in Athens struggles to keep going; their problem is mainly due to the distances members have to travel to the weekly meeting.
ALBANIA: The apostolate in the cities involves visiting hospitals, Shelters for the Elderly and Mother Theresa homes for children. The priest is brought to people who are dying and also to other families. The catechism is taught. Legionaries pray in groups with families in the villages, visit the elderly and lonely, and participate at funerals.
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UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Boston Senatus: Legionaries did a parish census, invited the lapsed back and distributed Catholic literature. The Senatus has offered the Legion Hostel to the Diocese. Providence Comitium report extension efforts through Evangelisation Days, Legion booths at Fairs and at three Churches. Two new praesidia started at Attleboro. Legionaries in Newton Curia arrange for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the housebound. A Vietnamese Curia has 142 members in 8 praesidia and 179 auxiliaries. Legionaries show religious videos, conduct Bible study and Twelve-Step-Programmes in their Neponset Valley prison ministry. A similar apostolate operates in a second prison where follow up with released prisoners features. There are excellent efforts to evangelise among the Korean community by Our Lady of Mercy Curia. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in 13 homes and faith formation work for youth was done by a praesidium of 16 members.
Philadelphia Senatus:, This council is preparing to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Legion in Philadelphia. Archbishop Caput will be the chief celebrant at the Cathedral in June 2015. Also being planned for September is participation in the 8th World Meeting of Families, at which Pope Francis will be present. Evangelisation Days were successfully held in 4 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. St. Charles Seminary praesidium has 14 members doing a range of works in schools, staffing book barrows and participating in extension. A Marian Day they organised in the Seminary had an attendance of 500. One praesidium organised the funeral arrangements of a life-long legionary, who had no family relations in the USA. Trenton Comitium, New Jersey, held Auxiliary Appreciation Days. The Hispanic Curia reported marriage validations and returns to the Sacraments.
Cincinnati Senatus: The new Portuguese Curia has 7 attached praesidia. New Albany East Cincinnati Curiae are mainly concentrated on consolation work. Dayton Ohio Curia hosted a Booth at three major events; a large Fair; a Diocesan Conference and a Catholic Women’s Conference.
Chicago Senatus: Sioux Falls Curia recruited 12 new members. Our Lady of the Family in Rockford Curia, Illinois, sponsored the movie, Mary of Nazareth, at which over 200 contacts were made. 250 Miraculous Medals were distributed on Thanksgiving Day. Two returns to the faith and one conversion were reported. Mankato Curia had 1,330 visiting their Booth at the Steele County Fair. Many sacramentals and literature were handed out. The Korean Comitium had an evangelising team of 16 at the Chicago Korean Festival, doing crowd contact. A girl contacted by legionaries at Gay Pride parade was thankful for a Miraculous Medal. In Duluth Curia a praesidium has been formed in a state hospital for the criminally insane. The Bishop fully supports their heroic work, which resulted in many returns to the Church. Southern Joliet Curia, Illinois, has 12 senior and 3 junior praesidia. Six persons returned to practice. They report a fellow legionary cancer-free after the Curia collectively prayed through the intercession of Frank Duff.
St. Louis Senatus: 19 new members were recruited in one year. 32 people returned to the Sacraments and 2 families came back to practice. They visit prisons. 3 junior praesidia are attached. For ‘Catholics on the move’, they printed notices, giving directions to nearby Churches and details of Mass times were distributed at Motels in their area.
an Francisco Senatus: Recently 600 attended a Legion of Mary Conference at Santa Clara. Eight legionaries participated in a PPC project in Santa Rosa. A praesidium visited 70 homes and participated in crowd contacts at three city locations. A Patrician group has started. San Mateo Comitium has 18 praesidia and one Curia. A junior praesidium does book barrow work with seniors. 30 people, including parents attended a Retreat organised by the juniors. Mission Excelsior Curia reports a new Frank Duff prayer group. A prison praesidium has 5 inmates evangelising other prisoners. North West Korean Comitium has 8 juniors in a praesidium. Columban Drives yielded 28 active members and 23 auxiliary members. San Jose Curia started a new Catholic Lending Library, operates a book barrow in a Shopping Mall and does crowd contact in the city. In Oakland, a junior group has 21 members. One praesidium visited 1,747 homes, while the attached South Alameda Curia visited 4961 homes.
New York Senatus: A Congress with the theme, ‘New Evangelisation’ was held in November. The Hispanic Curia reports a new praesidium of 20 members. Three people returned to the Sacraments after reading the Legion pamphlet, ‘The Joy of Confession.’ Five new members were recruited in one praesidium. Three contacts returned to practice of the faith.
Houston Senatus: 12 peregrini and 22 local legionaries participated in a PPC project to Salado, Texas. Another twelve-member PPC team worked in Farmington in September with wonderful results. Through Pilgrim Statue visits, 3 people joined the Legion and 3 children were baptised. In their caretaker role, the council plans another visit to Belize.
Arlington Regia: The Legion had a presence at the Arlington Fair. One contact has returned to the Church after many years away. Fairfax Comitium has 8 Patrician groups in parishes. Two new praesidia started in Washington D.C. Comitium.
Los Angeles Senatus: Long Beach, California, has 3 Patrician groups with good attendances. A PPC was held in Needles, California in October.
Miami Regia: The Haitian Curia has 18 senior and one junior praesidium. Broward has 23 senior praesidia with 3 more under formation. The first report from Mary Queen of Angels reveals an active membership of 19 and 201 auxiliaries. Contact with Jamaica and the Bahamas is being maintained. Also attached are Vietnamese and Haitian praesidia at Ocala.
CANADA
Senatus of Toronto: In Hamilton a prison inmate has taught 4 other prisoners to pray the Rosary. Another prisoner about to be released wants to be baptised. The Korean Comitium teaches refugees school subjects and catechism. Legionaries also do works of service, haircuts, cleaning and cooking. New Brunswick Curia organised a one-week ‘Kids Camp’, with teachings about Mass and Bible stories. Scarborough Comitium reports two nursing home residents returning to practice after 30 years and 17 years respectively. Likewise, two lapsed, including a teenage boy, due to home visitation. Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom juniors, with 12 members and 3 Adjutorians, do a variety of works with seniors, including Pilgrim Statue visitation and Crowd Contact.
Vancouver Comitium: Twelve members participated in a PPC project in Prince George Diocese. Two praesidia were started and another is planned in Fort St. John. Our Lady of China praesidium has 15 members who visit the elderly in their homes and in nursing homes. Mary Queen of Chinese Martyrs 10 active members help out in their parish weekly, doing a variety of duties, including Eucharistic Ministry and taking wheelchair parishioner to Mass.
Montreal Senatus: Extension efforts yielded two new praesidia in Roxboro and St. Genevieve Parishes, Montreal. Hoping to inspire the formation of a praesidium in Laval, legionaries enrolled 130 people for the 33 day preparation for the True Devotion to Mary. In July, about100 legionaries and 2 Concilium visitors renewed their enthusiasm for the Legion at the Tri-annual Gathering in Montreal.
Edmonton Comitium: Home visitation with the Pilgrim Statue was reported. A praesidium completed 3 Exploratio Dominicalis projects in one year.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Senatus of Santo Domingo: The council held a successful Conference for Spiritual Directors in September. All praesidia work in parishes, visiting homes, the sick and teaching catechetics. In the Comitium of Santa Maria, Madre de Dios: 2 couples were prepared for marriage and have since joined the Legion. In an Old Folks Home legionaries dress and feed the residents. A praesidium gives instruction to prisoners and follows up on their conditional release from prison. Reinas de los Apostoles Comitium reports 720 Baptisms and 54 marriages regularised. The Comitium Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe reported 173 Baptisms, 244 First Communions, 131 Confirmations and 306 sick people brought to see a doctor. Members of La Anunciacion praesidium work as volunteers in a hostel for the handicapped.
Senatus of Santiago de los Caballeros: Praesidia participate in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, visit the sick, bringing them Holy Communion, organise Retreats for those in irregular marriages, instruction of youths for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and do prison visitation. An Evangelical, visited by legionaries now joins them in saying the Rosary in the street. A 17 year old youth was prepared for and received his First Communion.12 marriages were regularised.
Senatus of Haiti: Reports were received from 4 Comitia, 1 Curia and 2 praesidia. One of these Comitia celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and another, its 60th anniversary. One Curia has an attached junior Curia with 11 praesidia. The senior Curia has an apostolate to street children. In order that young legionaries would get to know each other, a competition is being run between members of 9 junior Curiae in different parishes. A Retreat had an attendance of 141.
Puerto Rico: Legionaries in Caguas participate in the Diocesan Plan. They visit the Alzheimer’s Centre. Of three young men who attended a “Vocations Retreat,” one signed up. Columban Drives were organised and help was given with the broadcast of Mass, Government documentation and medical reports. The audit is mentioned in some reports.
The Curia in the Virgen Islands has 3 praesidia in San Thomas and one in St. John, with 50 active members and 200 auxiliaries. The Rosary is said in “dangerous places”. Visits are made to the sick at home and in hospitals. Nursing homes are visited. Catechism is taught.
The Curia in Toa Alta, with l2 praesidia, has one junior group. Three juniors did a course for catechesis. Jail visitation features in reports. Two Columban Drives were held, resulting in l6 active members recruited. Another Extension Drive resulted in recruitment of 2 active and one auxiliary member. In Myaguez, they help with students’ homework. One legionary is studying for the Diaconate. Legionaries look after the sick on admittance to hospital and stay with them as needed, day or night.
Trinidad & Tobago: San Fernando Catholic School was visited and it is hoped to start a praesidium there. Two of the Regia officers visited the Zion Community; they gave a talk on Mary to young children and distributed 25 Rosary Beads with leaflets on how to say the Rosary. The new junior praesidium at Arima girls’ Catholic school is progressing with 4 teachers involved in another praesidium. Home and hospital visitation is done.
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IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT
COMITIA
Cloyne Comitium: This council has completed its home visitation in Cloyne parish in which 2,500 homes were visited. Reception was very good and Miraculous Medals were eagerly received. Baptisms and house blessings have been followed up. Fr. Joe Rohan, Comitium Spiritual Director, would like the Legion extended to all parishes in the Diocese. West Cloyne Curia: Fr. Dan Troy, home from China, attended their Patrician meeting and gave some news of the Legion in China. Legionaries had a stall at the, Pride of Place Festival in Milford village where they did contact work. East Cloyne Curia: A praesidium has visited three Secondary Schools where Rosary Beads packs and Communion packs were given to the children. A special blessing was organised for the babies baptised during the year. Cork Curia: There are 8 senior praesidia and 4 Curiae attached. Farranree praesidium has 5 members 2 Praetorians and 14 auxiliaries. They visit homes weekly to promote Mass and the Rosary. Street contact is done from time to time. Mayfield praesidium has 6 members, one Praetorian and 11 auxiliaries. The elderly, including former legionaries are visited in their homes and nursing homes. Queen of Peace Curia has 5 senior praesidia. The two praesidia in Ballinlough have a total of 11 members, 3 of whom are Praetorians. Works include visitation of homes and the organisation of a Taize Prayer Group. A city centre based praesidium with 7 members carry out street contact, show religious videos and have helped with home visitation in the Cathedral parish. Turners Cross praesidium has 5 members, 2 of whom are Praetorians. They visit homes and hospitals and do crowd contact. Coronata Curia has 6 praesidia. The three reporting praesidia have 9, 4 and 8 members, 2 Praetorians and 46 auxiliaries. Works include home and hospital visitation. An Exploratio Dominicalis project held in Crosshaven resulted in the recruitment of a new member for Carrigaline praesidium. Annunciata Curia has 4 praesidia in West Cork. Works of the 3 reporting praesidia include home visitation with the Fatima Statue and visitation of the sick and people living alone.
Kerry Comitium: A letter was sent by Bishop Ray Browne to the Comitium informing them that a new Pieta House Centre will be opened in Castleisland and a representative from the Legion was invited to attend. A Mass to celebrate the life of Frank Duff was held in early November in Killarney. Recruiting Drives were held in Rathmore, Tralee and Millstreet. The 5th year transition students along with legionaries visited the hospital and nursing homes and gave great joy to the patients. One praesidium visited 4 schools in the parish to recruit altar servers and 21 pupils signed up. The priest asked the legionaries to help him with organising training sessions for these students. Mid Clare: Canon Taaffe, Comitium Spiritual Director, was congratulated on his Diamond Jubilee. 19 pilgrims travelled on a bus to Knock, Count Mayo for the Legion Pilgrimage. Legionaries in East Clare Curia undertook contact work during the Charismatic Conference at Fanore Beech. North Clare Curia: Kilalloe legionaries organised weekly public Rosaries in Housing Estates during July and August; 25 – 28 people attending each night. West Clare Curia has 30 legionaries in 6 praesidia. Works include, crowd contact during the Willy Clancy Festival, organising Eucharistic Adoration plus visitation of hospitals and nursing homes.
Thurles Comitium: Junior legionaries in Thurles work with the seniors in visiting the local hospital. The works of a praesidium in Thurles include hospital, home and Pilgrim Statue visitation, also contact with the First Communion class in a local school. The 6 members of Templetuohy praesidium make full use of the Pilgrim Statue and the Miraculous Medal. Praesidia in Littleton and Holy Cross undertake home and hospital visitation. The extension effort in Castleiney resulted in the permission of the Parish Priest to start the Legion there. Murroe Curia reported on praesidia in Cappawhite and Cappamore, both mentioning the value of the Praetorian degree of membership. Tipperary Curia reported on 4 praesidia. Cashel Curia: The revived praesidium in Killenure has 9 members. This Curia also has an outreach programme to Clonmel.
CURIAE
Birr/Roscrea Curia: The reporting praesidium in Roscrea has 14 members who visit nursing homes, promote Holy Hours and Faith Development presentations with DVDs. Birr praesidium has 8 members and 17 auxiliaries. Their works include visiting the sick and housebound and promoting Eucharistic Adoration. Each year they organise a Rosary Rally for children in the Primary Schools. The praesidium in Moneygall has 5 members, 3 of whom are Praetorians and also 20 auxiliaries. Works include Church activities and visitation of hospitals and nursing homes.
Lismore Curia: Abbeyside praesidium has 7 members whose works include home and hospital visitation. They are involved in parish activities such as organising Eucharistic Adoration and distribution of Church envelopes to parishioners.
Ross Curia: There are 9 attached praesidia. The reporting praesidia have 7, 5 and 11 members whose works include Church cleaning and decoration, hospital and nursing home visitation and distribution of Miraculous Medals.
Waterford Curia: Ballybricken praesidium has 5 members who undertake hospital visitation and parish duties. On 27th November they organised the distribution of 300-400 Miraculous Medals. All those who showed interest in the Legion during the MEP project last August have been followed up resulting in a new member for a praesidium in Letterkenny. The annual Rosary Procession on 8th September had an attendance of between 300 and 500. 18 youths, along with 5 leaders from the Rise and Shine Youth Group took part in the Dominican Pilgrimage to Knock in October. All went to Confession and attended Mass.
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DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE CURIAE
(October & November 2014)
Our Lady of Fatima Wicklow Curia: The Arklow praesidium has 6 full members, 14 auxiliaries and 1 religious Adjutorian. They sell 34 copies of the Irish Catholic. A great friendship has developed with the Traveller Community. With the permission of the RNLI a book barrow was used at the Maritime Festival. In April two legionaries helped visit the families of those baptised in 2008. About 35 parishioners joined their two Pilgrimages to Our Lady’s Island, while 80 attended a presentation on Edel Quinn in September.
Ancilla Domini Curia: Eight Catholics, two Protestants and one priest attended the October Pauline Circle. 17 Catholics and one Protestant were present in November. 9 people attended the Patrician meeting in Donore Avenue. The Filipino praesidium has 5 full members and 2 probationers and 43 auxiliary members. They concentrate on visiting compatriots at home and in hospital.
Annunciata Curia: 25 patricians and 14 legionaries attended 4 Patrician meetings. One praesidium sells 81 Maria Legionis and has 114 auxiliary members. Their works are home and nursing home visitation, plus crowd contact at the Luas train stop. 88 non-Catholics were invited to the Church Unity service in the parish Church. Two of their Patrician meetings had 21 and 26 people in attendance.
Benedicta Curia: The new praesidium gave its first report. The auxiliary list comprises 38 full auxiliary members and 52 probationers. The works are home and hospital visitation. A housebound husband and wife with two adult mentally disabled sons requested Confession. The Parish Priest visited the couple. A woman whose son is in prison requested a Miraculous Medal for him and promised to return to Mass.
Gloriosa Curia held Movie Nights in October and November in the Curia house; 18 attended both nights, about 50% were non-legionaries. The movies had a moral or religious theme. 11 patricians and 11 legionaries attended 2 Patrician meetings. A praesidium doing home visitation met a suicidal man who was listened to with compassion and given information on Pieta House. Cloverhill Prison was visited several times in recent months, bringing sacramentals to the prisoners. The NUI Maynooth praesidium has 5 Seminarians and 15 lay students as members. Home visitation is done in Housing Estates which tend to have student residents. A college discussion had 13 legionaries and 3 non-legionaries in attendance.
Assumpta Curia: 57 patricians and 16 legionaries attended 4 Patrician meetings. Five Spiritual Directors accompanied legionaries on a Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine; also travelling was a wheelchair-bound person and her helper. A young Muslim lady on the same Pilgrimage said she thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Our Lady’s Shrine.
Spouse of the Holy Spirit Curia: One praesidium has 8 members. They deliver 140 Maria Legionis and give Rosary Beads to children preparing for the Sacraments in the local school. Their main work is the visitation of two nursing homes; in one they recite the Rosary and distribute Holy Communion; in the other they accompany residents to the local Church for Mass and afterwards to the Community Centre for entertainment. Their annual cake sale raises considerable funds for the Morning Star Hostel.
Immaculata Curia: Public Rosaries were recited in eight areas during October. Five legionaries distributed Rosary Beads to 125 Second-Level pupils and explained the Rosary. At the request of the Parish Priest in one parish, legionaries taught the Rosary to 75 Primary School pupils in preparation for an evening of Adoration on the feast of the Holy Rosary. 44 legionaries and 62 patricians attended 11 Patrician meetings. One praesidium has increased its membership from 5 to 7 despite one member transferring to another praesidium. They have 95 auxiliary members. Their works are street contact, public Rosaries, home visitation, Pilgrim Statue and running a Patrician meeting. They also spoke to the Communion and Confirmation classes in a Primary School.
Mater Ecclesiae Curia: A Patrician meeting attracts an average of 19 people, mostly non-legionaries. Legion works include promoting Perpetual Adoration, helping in the repository and assisting in the running of the Parish Friendship Club.
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AFRICA
MALAWI
Blantyre Senatus: Mzuzu Regia, situated 750 kilometres from Blantyre governs 17 Comitia in Mzuzu and Karonga Dioceses. A successful annual meeting for the officers and Spiritual Directors in Malawi was held in Mzuzu in July. The translation of the Handbook into Tumbuka is being edited. There are 16 Comitia in Blantyre Archdiocese. The Senatus organised a Pilgrimage in May. Maula Regia in Lilongwe Archdiocese also organised a Pilgrimage. Arrangements are being made to raise this Regia with 19 Comitia, 6 Curiae and l5 praesidia to Senatus status to govern the Legion in Lilongwe and its 3 Suffragen Dioceses.
KENYA
Senatus of Kenya: The monthly prayers at Venerable Edel Quinn’s grave are assigned to a different praesidium each month and attendance is usually about 15. All councils and praesidia report having Mass offered for the Servant of God, Frank Duff. Home and hospital visitation is done regularly and people of many different faiths and none are encountered. Many contacts joined the catechism class. Several couples were encouraged to have their marriages regularised. Kisumu Regia reported 155 marriages blessed. A university Chaplain asked that the Legion be started in his College. Two Curiae are being set up in one Comitium. Efforts are continuing to strengthen the Legion in Meru Diocese.
UGANDA
Uganda Senatus: Reports were received from 4 Comitia, 2 Tertiary Institutions Curiae and 4 praesidia, including 2 in a Seminary. The causes of Frank Duff and Edel Quinn are widely promoted. Following last year’s celebrations marking the founding of the Legion there by Edel, 75 years ago, the date of her arrival in Uganda will henceforth be celebrated. As part of an extensive promotion of Frank Duff’s Cause, it is intended to provide each council with an A4 picture of him for use at functions. Two of Frank’s booklets have recently been translated into Luganda, which is widely spoken in Uganda. The 8th Spiritual Director’s Conference was held from 20 - 23 August. One bishop, 103 Spiritual Directors and 12 legionaries attended the Conference.
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NIGERIA
Abuja Senatus: Makurdi Regia reported 326 conversions and 493 lapsed returned to the faith. 55 new praesidia were formed in the area during 2014.
Ibadan Senatus: In two years the number of senior praesidia in one Comitium has grown from 22 to 28 and junior praesidia from 4 to 12. Lagos Regia: One Comitium had 45 marriages ratified.
Enugu Senatus: Reports indicate great numbers being prepared for all the Sacraments and many lapsed returning to practice of the faith. Three new Curiae were established by a Comitium. Onitsha Regia: 655 legionaries from one Comitium participated in various Exploratio Dominicalis projects. Jos Regia: One Comitium reported 8 marriages blessed, 4 people received into the Church and 127 recruited into the Legion. Ikot Ekpene Regia: Two Comitia held successful Congresses.
,TANZANIA
Songea Comitium: Two new Curiae were set up this year. Many legionaries have to travel up to 250km to attend their Curia meetings. These distances and financial restraints make it difficult to visit attached councils.
Mbinga Comitium: Legionaries in one parish organised an all-night Eucharistic Vigil in preparation for the Golden Jubilee of evangelisation of their parish. The next day they held a Pilgrimage with an attendance of 206.
Mtwara Comitium: A Retreat was held prior to the Acies. Two praesidia gave reports. A University lecturer expressed a wish to meet legionaries and this is being arranged. The Comitium has received permission to start a praesidium in a Training College and legionaries were asked to visit medical students at a Hospital.
Rombo Comitium: Home, hospital and school visitation are among its many apostolic works.
Hai Moshi Comitium: This council reported on home and hospital visitation, contact with drug and alcohol addicts and preparing adults and children for the Sacraments. An e-mail from Fr. Garry Jenkins in Liberia told of the great fear of Ebola and the effect the virus was having on every aspect of life, social, emotional, and economic. Prayers are requested for those suffering from Ebola and for eradication of the disease.
ZAMBIA
Kasama Regia: Reports include visits to hospitals, auxiliaries and Legion members who are ill or bereaved. Juniors also visit hospitals, the aged and do recruiting. All councils are being asked to set up monthly Prayer Groups to pray for the three Causes. They are being advised to dedicate each Prayer Group to a particular Cause, so that there will be some groups promoting Frank, some Edel and some Alfie.
THE GAMBIA
Banjul Curia: Members of the Curia are visiting various parishes trying to start and reactivate praesidia.
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