Concilium Bulletin - February 2015
AFRICA
BURUNDI
The Senatus of Gitega reports that on 7th June last year, to mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of Frank Duff and to make our founder known to the rising generation, a youth Acies was celebrated in Gitega for all the young legionaries of Primary and Secondary level. Those who came from remote areas were accommodated by local legionaries. The Senatus has asked all adult praesidia to make a point of having a junior one attached. In response to the Bishops’ pastoral on “The Family as Church”, with the help of the present and previous Spiritual Directors, Frs. Simon Nziginabarya and Venant Mpozako, the Senatus held sessions at Diocesan and Comitium level, to stress the importance of working to strengthen families, the regularization of marriages being an important objective. In August, the Senatus will celebrate the 100-year Jubilee of the birth of Fr. Achille Denis, who founded the Legion in Burundi.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Members will be aware that this Council was grievously affected by the civil war conditions an account of the sufferings of the legionaries in which an unknown number lost their lives and their efforts to regroup and continue was published in Maria Legionis.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OFCONGO
Lubumbashi Regia: The president of the council was in Brussels and had a good conversation with 2 Congolese legionaries, both officers of the Brussels’ Senatus. Both had visited the Democratic Republic of Congo a few years ago on behalf of Concilium. New elections were held. There was recent contact with the new president while he was in Brussels.
Senatus of Butembo: Attendance is good given the hostilities in certain regions. Elections took place in October and 3 new officers were elected, two of them being women. The new President Bro. Honore Kamale is their correspondent with Concilium. Reports were received in November from one Regia and two Comitia in Mahangi Diocese. Works include: Children baptised and taught their prayers, mentally handicapped helped, conversions, recruitment of auxiliaries, people encouraged to go to Confession and catechism taught. In December 7 Comitia and 1 praesidium reported works such as: Reconciliation of couples, Rosaries recited in houses visited, conversions from sects, lapsed return to practice. Abortions were averted and PPC projects carried out. Senatus statistics indicate a total of 479,018 active legionaries. Details were given of a barbaric genocide in 4 villages in Beni City and outskirts, where children, women and men were massacred, refugees had to flee for safety and schools, houses and Churches were destroyed. Many families fled the area permanently and as a result the community is suffering from this massive departure. A public funeral for victims with a Solemn Mass, took place in the town square of Beni City attended by the Papal Nuncio, priests religious, parish councils, the Governor, the Mayor, armed forces, international and national delegations, and all involved with peace process in Beni region. Prayers were said, pleas were made for non-retaliation, forgiveness and reconciliation in order to give priority to dialogue and works of justice. The Concilium is asked to unite with them in praying for peace.
Senatus of Bukavu: The Senatus has a small number of praesidia directly affiliated. Extension and the creation of new Curiae and Comitia are ongoing.
Kinshasa Senatus: Bro. Amisi has been elected Senatus President. To overcome any difficulty the Senatus may have in sending minutes to Concilium, it is proposed to ask the Vatican Diplomatic service if they would facilitate the Senatus by transmitting their minutes to Dublin.
Katanga Senatus: This council incorporates the provinces of West and East Kasai, with an affiliated Regia for East Kasai at Mbuji-Mayi and another Regia to the west at Tshipaka. Last year they held a central Acies with Archbishop Madila Basanguka in attendance to greet the 8,250 participants, which included Religious Sisters, Seminarians and legionaries. The event included a seven- kilometer procession with prayers and hymns from the Parish Church of St. Laurence to Our Lady’s Shrine, where the Senatus Spiritual Director was Chief Celebrant of the Acies Mass.
RWANDA
Senatus of Kigali: The Senatus president verified that all legionaries have the Frank Duff prayer and his Cause is widely promoted. The junior and intermediate groups are mentioned in all of the reports and seem very strong. A lot of emphasis is made on recruiting. One elderly mother was received in the Catholic Church at Christmas. Prison visitation and auxiliary rallies are reported. One Curia has 26 adult, 14 junior and 1 university praesidium as well as 5 new praesidia in the process of being set up. There are not enough rooms in the Legion house to cater for all the praesidia; some meetings are taking place in legionaries’ homes. It is suggested to split the Curia. Exploratio Dominicalis was carried out. A Mass of thanksgiving was held in September to mark 74th Anniversary of the founding of the Legion in Kigali.
REUNION
Reports were given of very solid work by 3 Curiae with 16 attached praesidia: Conversions, family members reconciled through prayer and Masses, a special mission to alcoholics as well as many works of consolation. Plans are afoot to celebrate 70 years of the founding of the Legion, by Edel Quinn, in October next. They plan a visit to Madagascar, where Msgr. Lacointe has resumed visiting and where a new praesidium has been established.
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ASIA
MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur Regia: This Regia consists of the Archdiocese and two Suffragan Dioceses of Melaka, Johor in the south and Panang in the north. Languages include English, Tamil, Filipino and Chinese. Annual reports were taken from 4 directly attached praesidia, 2 with 10 members and one with 6; they have a total of 56 auxiliaries. Quarterly reports covered 71 senior and 3 junior praesidia with a total of 673 active, 921 auxiliary members and 8 probationers. Works reported included hospital visitation, home visits to the sick, the lonely and house-bound. After a member prayed for a lapsed Catholic for 2 years, the man returned to the Church, indicating he was touched by God’s grace. Visits are made to former long-serving legionaries, one who has lost sight and two former Regia Spiritual Directors in nursing homes.
JAPAN
Tokyo Regia: Fr. Son introduced the Legion to Saporo Diocese. A new praesidium with 11 members has been established. A Retreat directed by Bishop Kohda took place in a Convent with an attendance of 72.
Nagasaki Regia: Extension in Hirado district is going well. Legionaries accompany a priest in visitation of the aged and sick with the Holy Eucharist. In Hanshin Curia a dormant praesidium is going to re-start. A number of Filipinos working in a Home for the Aged help patients to attend Holy Mass.
SINGAPORE
Singapore Senatus: Tambunan Curia in Kota Kinabalu Comitium has divided; the new Curia will have 13 praesidia. A new praesidium has been formed in Miri Diocese. A Tamil praesidium is in the pipeline in West Curia. Nursing homes are visited.
KOREA
Seoul Senatus: The Central Seoul Regia has 12,644 active members, including 269 juniors; they have 23,048 auxiliaries. 3,190 catechumens were baptised and 3,564 returns to the Sacraments were reported. Daejeon Regia has 16,190 active members, including 384 juniors; they have 13,280 auxiliaries. 3,571 catechumens were baptised and 3,961 people returned to the Sacraments. All councils report home visitation and visits to the sick and those in mourning. Many parish works are undertaken, including Sunday School.
Gwangju Senatus: The attached Busan Curia reported 50,157 persons initiated as catechumens; 4,055 were baptised. 143,893 visits were made to Catholics who are sick and 59,150 visits were made to sick people of other faiths and non-believers. 46, visits were made to hospitals and 82,209 to Welfare Facilities.
Jeonju Regia initiated 29,114 persons as catechumens and 1,945 were baptised. There were 3,402 returns to the Sacraments. Visits were made to sick people.
Daegu Senatus: Most councils reported on returns to the Sacraments and the number of catechumens recruited. Taejon Comitium reported 27 Baptisms and 43 returns to the Sacraments. Susung Comitium set up two new Curiae and 7 praesidia. Andong Regia recorded a total of 267 catechumens recruited and 44 baptisms, 179 returns to the Sacraments and 3,351 visits to hospitals and Welfare Institutions.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong Comitium: The Comitium has appointed Sr. Sally Chan as an Incola Mariae to Macau, starting on 8th January 2015. Pat O’Donoghue and Michael Walsh visited Hong Kong for the 65th Anniversary celebrations, in September 2014. During that visit they travelled to Macau accompanied by Hong Kong Comitium Officers and Sally Chan, who had just returned from her stay in Ireland. A fruitful meeting took place with Bishop Lai and members of the Legion in Macau, where Envoy Teresa Su, a native of Hong Kong had started the Legion in 1952.
INDONESIA
Malang Senatus: Reports mention visitation of councils and praesidia. Works include visitation of the sick, conversions and helping victims of natural disasters. A prison in Medang was visited with a priest; prisoners availed of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A junior praesidium was set up in a non-Catholic school. One new Curia was set up in Nganuk. Old people were helped; three of them were baptised. Maria Assumpta Curia holds Patrician meetings and Bible study classes. One new senior and one junior praesidium were set up. Some lapsed Catholics returned to the faith. Legionaries in Makassar (Sulawesi Island) visit a prison, a Centre for Drug Addicts, a Psychiatric Centre. They also prepare children for the Sacraments.
Jakarta Senatus: The Senatus President and Correspondent visited councils in Kalimantan (Borneo). A Jakarta praesidium organised Bible Study, a Catechesis Programme and conducted a Bible Quiz for junior praesidia at a Catholic Orphanage. A Curia reported the weekly visitation of auxiliaries and helping to prepare another Curia for ratification. Morning Star Comitium in Bognor organised Eucharistic Liturgy for the Senatus Annual Reunion attended by over 2,000 active and auxiliary members. Queen of All Saints Curia, Jakarta organised catechesis and Bible Study for children and teenagers. The Senatus had a three-day Legion of Mary Youth Event in September with an attendance of 120. Talks were given by a priest. A Drug Rehabilitation Centre, a Home for the Elderly and an Orphanage were visited.
TAIWAN
Taiwan Senatus: Since June 2014 nine new praesidia, including one junior have been set up; six more are being developed. There is one praesidium on Pen Hu Island. Through the efforts and prayers of the legionaries some lapsed Catholics have returned to the Church and a patient in hospital was baptised before he died. Recently baptised adults were introduced to Church services and contact is kept with them. An e-mail was received saying that the book on Frank Duff by Fr. Bradshaw has finally been translated into Chinese and is now in print. A Prayer Service conducted by the Archbishop of Taipei for the victims of the recent air crash was attended by around 200 people, mostly legionaries.
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IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT
COMITIA
Carlow Comitium: Efforts at setting up a new praesidium in Rathvilly are on-going. A report was taken from those who participated in the work at the Legion Stand during the Ploughing Championships last September and all agreed that it was a great experience. Paulstown praesidium promotes Eucharistic Adoration and is in charge of a book stand in the Church. On the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, 15th September, Marian Devotions were organised at the newly- decorated Grotto of Our Lady. A men’s praesidium in Carlow town has 100 auxiliaries. A Patrician meeting was organised, but most of those attending were legionaries. A Frank Duff Prayer Group is held weekly. Mass time details were distributed in all hotels and guesthouses.
Elphin Comitium: Ballinaheglish praesidium undertakes numerous parish duties and in the last year have focused on home visitation. Fr. Leahy, S.P.C., their Spiritual Director, does home visitation with a legionary. Reception is generally good. Those visited are sometimes prayed with and gladly accept Father’s blessing. At the request of the Deus et Patria Committee the Comitium is planning to organise a Youth Conference in Roscommon on 25th April. They have invited the Franciscan Missionaries of the Renewal to speak and guide the day .North Elphin Curia: Bishop Kevin Doran, at his request, attended the January Curia meeting and addressed the legionaries on the recent Church Synod on the Family. He explained where the emphasis of the Synod was as distinct from the issues receiving most coverage in the media. All Church organisations have been asked to contribute and he requested feedback from the legionaries by end of March. The Curia is busy organising a first Youth Conference in Sligo for 21st March. Bishop Doran will be one of the speakers. Ferns Curia: A praesidium of 5 members carry out home to home visitation and visit a hospital where the Rosary is recited with the patients; legionaries recite public Rosaries weekly during May and November. This praesidium also arranges for the celebration of Masses for the beatification of Frank Duff, Edel Quinn and Alfie Lambe close to their anniversaries. South Ferns Curia reported that legionaries visited 3 National Schools during the year. An explanation of the Rosary was given to the pupils and Rosaries distributed. The “Language Timothy” bands were offered in some schools, in an effort to discourage swearing, the motto being “Jesus is a prayer, not a swear.” 900-1000 bands were distributed. Tuam Curia has 54 members in 11 senior praesidia. The one intermediate praesidium has 12 members. Westport Curia has 45 members in their 7 senior praesidia and 14 members in 2 junior praesidia. Claremorris Curia has 7 senior praesidia with 44 members and 136 juniors in their 5 junior praesidia; they have a total of 660 auxiliaries, 18 Praetorians and 12 Adjutorians. A recruiting drive was held in Corofin on October 18th. Efforts to establish a praesidium in Kilconly and to increase membership in Caherlistrane were undertaken. A mini Vigil held in Knock in October was well attended. 8 members went on PPC last year. Glenamaddy praesidium has 2 Praetorians and 20 auxiliaries. Caherlistrane praesidium has 20 auxiliaries. Both praesidia use 2 Fatima Statues on home visitation. The Statue was taken to a Primary School in May and November. They promote devotion to the Rosary and organise weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They also promote active and auxiliary membership, the 3 Causes and Consecration of families to the Sacred Heart. A lady from the Czech Republic had her 2 children baptised; she now also wishes to be baptised.
CURIAE
Achonry Curia: Swinford legionaries visit the local Geriatric Hospital and undertake Pilgrim Statue visitation. Two members have been helping the praesidium in Foxford. The theme of December Patricians was The Beatitudes. They have 35 auxiliaries.
Clonfert Curia: A very enjoyable Curia Reunion was held in November with an attendance of 65 at which a talk was given by a legionary on her memories of meeting Alfie Lambe as a young legionary in Castlebar in 1952. Visitation of praesidia is mentioned in the minutes. Looscaun legionaries bring the Pilgrim Statue from home to home. Hospital, nursing home and house-bound visitation are amongst the works of Our Lady of Clonfert praesidium. Tynagh praesidium celebrated its 50th anniversary with a concelebrated Mass. Four of their 7 members are Praetorians and they have 10 auxiliaries.
Galway Curia: The reporting praesidium has 6 members and 83 auxiliaries. Works include home and nursing home visitation. They visit residents in the Simon Community house where they are well received by the staff and residents. On street contact many students, Muslims and atheists are met.
Killala Curia: The praesidium in Dromore West has 6 members and 30 auxiliaries. Their main works are home visitation with the Pilgrim Statue and visitation to homes of the bereaved. Ardagh praesidium has 6 members and 24 auxiliaries. They undertake hospital and nursing home visitation. On Heritage Day in Ballina 2 members did contact work and had some good conversations whilst promoting the Causes. The new praesidium in Cornboy is progressing well. A President has been appointed and it is hoped to fill the other officerships soon. Ballina Patricians had an attendance of 10 in December on “Putting Christ back into Christmas.”
Kilkenny Curia: Castlecomer praesidium has 7 members and 25 auxiliaries. Works include visitation to a district hospital and nursing homes and promoting Eucharistic Adoration.
DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE CURIAE
(December 2014 & January 2015)
In December the Legion Headquarters and the hostels were toured by teachers and 15 students from St. Pauls CBS Brunswick Street, 9 students from Leeson Street Institute of Education and 4 student members of the Laurentian Society in Trinity College Dublin. In January, 30 boys visited from St. Declan’s of Cabra.
Ancilla Domini Curia: A total of 15 Catholics and 4 Protestants attended the two Pauline Circle Meetings. One praesidium does street contact in Temple Bar. Some home visitation is also done.
Annunciata Curia: 30 patricians and 11 legionaries attended 5 Patrician meetings. One praesidium promoted the University College Dublin Exam Holy Hour in May. As well as some home visitation, the praesidium visits patients in Donnybrook Royal Hospital each Saturday and establishes a friendship with them by shopping and doing chores. The family of a lady who subscribes to the Maria Legionis invited legionaries to her 100th birthday, acknowledging that the quarterly visits are part of what allows their mother to continue to live alone.
Assumpta Curia: The main works of one praesidium are manning the Repository at weekends; contacts included a non-Catholic lady who requested Miraculous Medals to give to sick friends. Attendance at their Patrician meeting varied between 12 and 32, not including legionaries. In June Fr. Kevin Doran attended the meeting as Spiritual Director, prior to his appointment as Bishop.
Benedicta Curia: A praesidium with 7 active members, one a Praetorian is very involved with the Curia house, maintaining it and its gardens, holding a fortnightly Lectio Divina there and opening the house as a Drop-in Centre each Wednesday from 5.30 to 7.30pm; they publicise the Centre during home visitation. A trader spoke highly of the legionaries. Three wards of St. James Hospital are visited; on one occasion a doctor accepted a Miraculous Medal and leaflet. The praesidium has 48 auxiliary members and 1 Adjutorian.
Spouse of the Holy Spirit Curia: 11 attended an Edel Quinn Prayer Meeting. A praesidium with 5 active members has 20 auxiliaries. 2 visitors attended during the year. Up to 30 people attend weekly Adoration organised by the Legion; other works include home and hospital visitation, a Literature Stand, a Frank Duff Prayer Group and a Patrician Meeting. Another praesidium does home visitation. Up to 12 attend a monthly Edel Quinn Prayer Meeting of music, meditation and extracts from her life while over 100 attended a Mass in her honour last May.
Immaculata Curia: One person joined as a result of their new First Saturday recruiting outside the Curia house. As they approach their 800th meeting in September they are launching the “8000 Campaign” to recruit 5 people per week per legionary and report to Curia each month. 33 legionaries and 36 patricians attended 10 Patrician meetings. The first report was given by a praesidium established in October 2013. The main work is home visitation. Public Rosaries were held in May and October. Another praesidium gained a new member during the year. They have 5 full members, 3 of whom are Praetorians. During home visitation they regularly visit a lady suffering from anorexia and a family whose special needs son has great faith. In recognition of their work in the parish the legionaries were invited to the Parish Christmas Function.
Mater Ecclesiae Curia: Weekly contact work with drug addicts in one area is a new Curia initiative. The Curia promoted the Church Unity Octave series of talks by representatives of various Christian groups.
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SOUTH AMERICA
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires Senatus: To mark Alfie Lambe’s anniversary in January, large crowds attended the graveside ceremony and Mass in the local Church. The legionaries set up a stall at the entrance to the cemetery and very many contacts were made, mostly with tourists. All the cemetery guides know of Alfie and include him in their tours. One of the Senatus officers has been helping out in the office for Alfie’s Cause, finalising papers before they are sent to Rome. Many novel works were reported at the Senatus meeting including Missions which are held in a large Circus tent in barrios where there is no Chapel or Church
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Cordoba Senatus: A praesidium reported visiting businesses and hospitals where they recite the Rosary and distribute Miraculous Medals and leaflets. Contact was made with students outside their college and prayers said with them in front of an image of Our Lady. Small bags of blessed salt are distributed amongst the sick.
Salta Senatus: A praesidium with members in the older age bracket includes two legionaries, one aged 86 and the other 103, who attend their weekly meetings and do home visitation. A junior praesidium of 10 to 12 year olds do home visitation with their President. While she talks to the parents, the junior legionaries talk to the children. Gratitude was expressed for the Concilium visit of last November. Topics discussed on that visit have appeared in reports and are being put into practice.
Corrientes Regia: In November all 57 Curia Officers were present for the Concilium visit. A congress was held by a Comitium in the Diocese of San Tomé. Iguazu Comitium, with 58 praesidia has 50 probation members.
Rosario Regia: The Concilium visitors were surprised at the number of young legionaries in the Regia. The legionaries have prepared attractive literature for recruiting and as a result of great efforts many young people have joined. The Regia is considering the possibility of extending the Legion to the Falklands.
BRAZIL
Belem Senatus: The junior movement is growing with five new junior praesidia. A special youth Legion Conference was held in October with Bishop Edson, the representative of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference present.
Belo Horizonte Senatus: As a result of hospital visitation several patients decided to become actively involved in their parishes. Two young addicts were directed to a Rehabilitation Centre. 111 young people in one town were recruited for reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist. Uberlandia Regia reports setting up new praesidia.
Fortaleza Senatus: Reports show visitation of homes and bringing Holy Communion to the aged and sick in their homes. They also accompany elderly people for medical consultations and treatment. A Comitium in Crato reported making 4,774 visits to homes and 2,537 revisits.
Ponta Grossa Senatus: Reports show many children and young people prepared for Holy Communion and Confirmation. An apostolate is carried out to a group of prostitutes. Assistance is given to Religious Sisters in a Convent, bringing them to the doctor, dentist and hospital and helping them with shopping. Two married couples who were separated were reunited. Employment was arranged for three people.
Recife Senatus: Four praesidia were set up as an indirect result of a Peregrinatio pro Christo project carried out in the rural town of Araripina, in which seventy members from three Senatus took part. A city praesidium in Recife reports an apostolate in streets, shops and restaurants; another report tells of 156 homes visited on an Exploratio Dominicalis project and 26 couples prepared for the Sacrament of Marriage.
Rio de Janeiro Senatus: In the Rio suburb of Tijuca, eleven women were enabled to earn a living through receiving a course in dress making from legionaries. Home visitation continues to be given priority in Rio and over five thousand visits were reported at one Senatus meeting. Results included the Baptism of 172 persons, and 50 youths prepared for First Holy Communion.
Salvador Senatus: In one town more than a thousand families were visited during three months. In a difficult district of Salvador the legionary apostolate is directed to all sectors of society including those estranged from the Church and people involved with drugs. Stress is laid on the Sacrament and meaning of Baptism as well as on reading and reflecting on the Word of God.
Santa Maria Senatus: The Senatus has made a good start in strengthening the central Curia with the setting up of a new praesidium. The Senatus officers are committed to mobilising all the members to engage in extension. The Comitium in the State capital, Porto Alegre, reports the recitation of public Rosaries as a way of evangelisation; and has an intensive apostolate in the women’s prison. This prison apostolate is integrated with the Baptism team.
São Luis Senatus: Almost sixty thousand families were visited at least once during the past four months. Accommodation was arranged for 206 patients coming to the state capital for medical treatment. 188 unmarried couples were prepared for the Sacrament of Matrimony. 26,000 Rosaries were recited in families and 295 in public squares; 2,500 Bible circles were held.
São Paulo Senatus: The Senatus celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and the 93rd anniversary of the Legion with Mass on 7th September 2014 at which there was a large attendance of legionaries. A special meeting is to be held to discuss the visit of five Senatus officers to the Concilium in September. The Senatus agreed to the formation of a National Communication Group. Visits to homes, the sick and elderly feature in most reports.
Brasilia Regia: Dom Waldir Mamede, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Brasilia, was the chief celebrant at the Eucharistic celebration on the 7th of September, to mark the Legion’s anniversary, with a congregation of 5,000. Results of legionary work included 11 adults prepared to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
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EUROPE
COUNCILS UNDER CARETAKERSHIP OF AUSTRIA
AUSTRIA
Senatus of Austria: The Legion is in every Diocese and is present in about 10% of the estimated total of 2,814 parishes. The Senatus has asked all Councils to seek permission to leave the Frank Duff Prayer leaflet in all parish Churches in Austria and plans a Summer School in Dublin in August.
Vienna Archdiocese: The Legion gave a presentation to the Youth Council of the Archdiocese. Croatian Curia: A Muslim couple were taught how to pray the Rosary. The Viennese Curia reported 2 people receiving the Sacraments after a 10 year absence. Korean Curia invited non-believers to Mass.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague Comitium is to extend into Budweis Diocese.
SLOVAKIA
Trnava Curia Officers met the Archbishop who appointed an interim Spiritual Director. Zseliz Comitium: The Bishop appointed 2 Curiae Spiritual Directors.
UKRAINE
Elizabeth Kriss and Bro. Helmit Hager visited Western Ukraine and discussed the establishment of an African Curia.
BULGARIA
The Austrian Senatus plan to send visitors to Bulgaria over the coming months.
BELARUS
Archbishop Kondratsevich appointed Fr. Roman Susha as the new Spiritual Director of Comitium. At the November meeting Sr. Teresa Varavka was elected Vice President. Two senior and two junior praesidia were set up during this reporting period and 5 areas for extension were agreed. Some of the works undertaken are 1st Friday visitation, contact work with alcoholics and drug abusers, contact work in parks and shopping malls, speaking with youth about the faith, distributing leaflets with basic prayers and leaflets against abortion; they also do home visitation in new parishes.
CROATIA (and Councils under Caretakership)
Zagreb Regia: Officers expressed great appreciation for the hospitality shown them on their visit to Concilium last November. The theme of the Radio Maria broadcast in September was “Reflections of the Concilium Spiritual Director, Fr. Bede McGregor”. Five praesidia reported during the period. Some visible results of the apostolate included, a married couple reconciled, two persons received the Sacrament of Penance after more than 40 years and one person learned to pray the Rosary. In the Caritas Hostel legionaries conduct a weekly Prayer Group for women and children most of whom are non-Catholic. Throughout the attached reporting Comitia and Curiae very many returns to the Sacraments were recorded, one after 50 years. A praesidium in Queen of Martyrs Curia holds monthly Patricians with attendance of 30-40 parishioners. A junior legionary in Petrinja Curia was instrumental in his father joining the senior praesidium and his Muslim mother started attending the praesidium. She was later Baptised and Confirmed on Holy Saturday.
BOSNIA HERZGOVINA
Sarajevo Curia has 7 praesidia with 44 active members, 9 Praetorians and 230 Auxiliaries. Many returns to the Sacraments resulted from home visitation. In a Gerontology Centre patients were prepared for reception of the Sacraments.
HUNGARY
Budapest Regia: This Council has 22 praesidia, 10 Curiae and 5 Comitia affiliated, which are spread over 4 Dioceses. Works include many Church duties, visitation of sick and elderly in hospitals and Welfare Homes, organising Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament, Night Vigils, Pilgrimages and recitation of the Rosary on Radio Maria. Curia Csikszereda, which is based in Romania among the Hungarian-speaking people, gives religious classes to children in kindergartens. Kistarisa Curia: Legionaries lead 2 Youth Clubs and bring a statue of The Holy Family to homes.
LATVIA
Riga Comitium governs 12 attached praesidia and 3 Comitia. Members of one praesidiu visit the local Community Centre for people suffering from addiction; they arranged for 15 persons to receive Confession. Another praesidium organises Youth Days once a month. They invite young people to a social day at which they discuss the Catholic Faith. The young people are given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any problems they may have with the Faith. A Recruiting Drive organised by Rezekne Curia resulted in an increase in membership of a praesidium from six to ten.
LITHUANIA
Kaunas Comitium has 118 directly attached praesidia and 7 Curiae. A praesidium of 8 members promotes the Causes of Frank Duff and Edel Quinn on homes visitation. Two Recruiting Drives were held resulting in a gain of 4 new active members and 7 auxiliaries. It was decided to hold a Congress in November 2015. Panevezys Curia started a new praesidium with 7 members in Krekenava. Vilkavisks Curia set up a new junior praesidium in Miroslava with 6 members. Telesiai Comitium: Very good efforts to extend Legion to new parishes were reported. Three praesidia feature with membership of 8, 9, and 11. Seventeen members are Praetorians. They have 388 Auxiliaries. Works include home, hospital and nursing home visitation. Some fruits of their apostolate were returns to the Sacraments after 10, 12 and 45 years. During the Christmas period legionaries accompanied the Priest 40 times on visitation to families. Our Lady Assumed into Heaven Curia: visited 467 families on an outreach to 3 small towns and 13 villages where good contacts were made.
POLAND
Lublin Regia: Extension Drives continue. In Roden 16 persons were present at a formation meeting. In Tarnobrzeg three new praesidia have been set up. Results of work include, three people instructed for 1st Holy Communion and 15 brought to Confession. The 35th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary in Poland was celebrated. Fr. Mieshwav recommended legionaries to carry in their hearts these words, “Obedience and Humility is the Strength of the Legion.”
Warsaw. Praga Comitium: Nine new active members were gained since last report. Membership of praesidia reporting was 7, 13 and 18. Volomin Curia distributed 3,500 Miraculous Medal at the promotion of a book on the Miraculous Medal; 200 were distributed on crowd contact work.
Metro Comitium: This council which is in existence for 26 years governs 10 directly attached praesidia, one Curia, on the city’s West Bank, 3 Curiae in other Dioceses and isolated praesidia in Gdansk, Poznan and Głowiec, with a total of 500 active and 800 auxiliary members. Localised extension efforts are reported on monthly. The Miraculous Medal is promoted in the course of visiting the sick, crowd contact in parks, public places and at Festivals.
ROMANIA
Satu Mare Regia has 14 directly attached praesidia; 2 Curiae and 2 Comitia. 11 of the 671 active members are Praetorians. One of the praesidia organises two parish discussion groups on the faith, one for young people and one for men.
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SENATUS OF SCOTLAND REPORT ON FINLAND 2001-2014
There are seven parishes in Finland with 12,000 Catholics, 6,000 of whom are Finns. Since 2001 Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects have taken place to six parishes. Over the years legionaries from Scotland have grown in their understanding of the nature of the Finnish people and in awareness of the difficulties facing the Church in Finland.
Priests have given a wholehearted welcome to the teams working in their parishes and have stressed the necessity for the PPC apostolate.
Four of the parishes in Finland are in the pastoral care of the Sacred Heart Fathers who are currently priests from Poland. The other three parishes are in the care of priests who are members of the Neo-Catechumenate Movement.
At the request of the Parish Priest in Oulu a Rosary Prayer Group incorporating all the Legion prayers was set up in Tornio, a town with only about 40 Catholics; the only opportunity they have to pray together is at the Sunday Mass, which is monthly in that town and monthly in another town reasonably near. In both towns, Mass is celebrated in the Orthodox Church and Rosary groups meet before Mass.
The Catholic parishes in Finland cover vast areas, e.g. Tampere Parish is the same area as Belgium. Some Catholics live so far from a Church that they are in a Diaspora situation for attending Mass.
There is a Carmelite Foundation in Espoo where the prayers of the Sisters support the work of Peregrinatio Pro Christo. When possible, legionaries on PPC projects visit the Sisters, who are extremely interested in this work.
Bishop Sippo would welcome praesidia in his Diocese.
During the Council of Priest’s Meeting the Bishop welcomed the Legion visitors and later commented: “The Legion of Mary is a blessing to Finland.”
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