Concilium Bulletin February 2019

AFRICA

BURUNDI

Senatus of Burundi: Minutes are awaited. All their work is done in the Kirundu language and Minutes are translated into French before being sent to Concilium.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Senatus of Bangui: Good news of a peace accord means that the plan of the Senatus for a visitation of all Legion Councils in the country can be implemented.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Senatus of Lubumbashi: Because of no internet as a result of local unrest, a lot of Minutes are late, but word has come from the Senatus President that they are in the process of printing 300 Handbooks in Swahili; meantime, a small supply of Handbooks, Tesserae and Frank Duff leaflets have been sourced elsewhere.

Senatus of Butembo: Average attendance has increased to 89. Two Regia and 1 pre-Regia, 11 Comitia and 4 praesidia gave reports. A Curia was set up in the centre of Butembo with 7 praesidia. 19 seminarians from the senior Seminary of Vulindi Butembo are included in the membership; they are from Diocese of Butembo-Beni, Archdiocese of Bukavu, 3 from Kisanga and 3 from Isangi Kisangani. October saw a new outbreak of Ebola in the region, which curtailed visitation. However, two Comitia in the Dioceses of Butembo-Beni, and Makagi-Nioka, gave reports. 12 people joined the Legion of Mary, 6 couples married in Church, 3 divorced couples were reconciled, 83 lapsed returned to practice, and 21 Adventists converted. Works by other councils: 127 infants baptised; 180 young people joined Catholic Action Associations. Large numbers of children taught their prayers.45 Protestants and 17 pagans converted. Drug Addicts gave up the habit. A young girl was prevented from suicide; spiritual help given to 876 people in need, e. g. widows, orphans, the sick, the elderly, refugees and prisoners.

Senatus of Bukavu: From 24th to 27th November 2018 two delegates from the Senatus visited the Regia of Goma, and two delegates also visited the Comitium of Ulvira. They report of the difficulty of visiting distant councils because of insecurity, and have only telephone contact with the councils of Kindu, Kasongo and Kilma. A Retreat and a day of formation were organised for young legionaries. Works included apostolate to the sick, homes of bereaved, the homeless, widows and orphans.

Senatus of Kinshasa: The last census shows that the Legion has 26,000 active members and roughly 6,000 auxiliaries. Every third week of the month after 6 a.m. Mass they hold a meeting for auxiliary members. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8th December last, the Senatus organised a huge Pilgrimage from the different Churches of Kinshasa to Maluku, Kinshasa before entering the nearby province of Bandundu. This initiative was welcomed by the Church hierarchy. The Archbishop encourages families to live holy lives in the Christian Sacrament of Marriage and the Legion members emphasise this in their visitation. Members visit hospitals, among other works.

Senatus of Kisangani: A junior Congress had an attendance of 154 junior members. One Comitium includes membership of 124 junior seminarians and 108 senior seminarians. Works include visitation of the ill at home and in hospital, 655 youths encouraged to return to school, visitation of 146 persons suffering from Aids. A Comitium in Christ the King parish recruited 165 women and 187 young men for the Legion. 21 young people and 18 adults were baptised. Overall, 1,376 couples were counseled for marriage, of whom 866 were Catholic couples. 6,890 babies and adults were prepared for baptism. 234 youths gave up drugs.

Senatus of Kananga: Comitium Notre Dame has 650 members, and 270 probationers. Works include organising Masses and Confessions during principal Liturgical feasts, visitation of 1,020 prisoners, arranging Sacramental marriages, and visitation of the sick and orphans. The Acies is planned for 31 March.

MAURITIUS

Rodrigues Regia: A detailed financial report for the year was received. A new group of officers has been elected, and await ratification. During the Christmas season the legionaries organised a Living Crib, scripted by the Regia Spiritual Director, Pere Dalais, with legionaries acting the different parts. They taught Christmas carols to juniors. There is great rejoicing over a prominent Legionary, Bro. Steve Dursoniah, being ordained to the Diaconate in the Cathedral of St. Louis.

RWANDA

Senatus of Kigali: The Senatus is in touch with the Bishops regarding the setting up of the 2 Regiae. Some Comitia have over 5,000 members, between 40 and 50 adult Curiae with a total of 213 junior and intermediate praesidia. One Comitium reported having 4 Curiae in Secondary Schools. They will print the Legion statutes in French and English, enough to include some for their neighbouring countries. Last August the Senatus organised a meeting for Spiritual Directors which was attended by 84 priests. Works reported: home, hospital, prison and nursing home visitation as well as contacts with orphans, homeless children, and street girls, one of whom returned to the Sacraments. Several new Curiae were set up.

ASIA

KOREA

Seoul Senatus: A Comitium in Seoul has 18 attached Curiae, with 250 praesidia. The legionaries are engaged in a range of apostolic activities including inviting non-Catholics to become Catholics, looking after catechumens, the newly baptised, and visiting the sick. Two junior praesidia are also attached with four senior and 21 junior members. A new praesidium was established, and officers appointed. Wonju Regia has a total membership of 3,327 active and 2,852 auxiliary members.

Gwangju Senatus is planning to increase crowd contact in preparation for the Centenary of the Legion of Mary and they have prepared a dedication card for distribution to non-Catholics and the lapsed. Regia of Jeon-ju reports successful results from crowd contact with 3,013 returns to the Sacraments.

Daeju Senatus: The Legion Handbook in big size font has been published and work on revision of the Hangui, (Korean-language version) is on-going. The Senatus is looking for volunteers to help in this project.

JAPAN

Osaka Senatus: The Senatus held a Day Retreat on the occasion of its 803rd meeting on 8th October 2018. Kyoto Comitium has 7 attached praesidia. Home visitation is done with the view to increasing membership. The legionaries assist with preparing Parish Bulletins and maintaining Parish websites. There were reports of extension resulting in a praesidium being revived after ten years and there are hopes of restarting a praesidium in Nagoya Curia. One of the works carried out by the 28 members of a praesidium in Kohri is to send handmade greeting cards to the newly Baptised, lapsed Catholics, priests and auxiliary members on Feast days. A praesidium in Kohri will celebrate 60 years in existence in May. They have an apostolate to the sick and elderly in homes and nursing homes.

INDONESIA

Jakarta Senatus: Both Bandung and West Jakarta Comitia held Congresses in September. Bogor Comitium established three new praesidia in a Seminary with a total of 45 members. A University praesidium in Jakarta promotes the daily recitation of the Rosary for victims of natural disasters. The Senatus Minutes refer to the establishment of the Museum Mary Mother of the Tribes by the Archbishop which aims at promoting devotion to Our Lady as a uniting force between the various tribes that live in Indonesia. The Legion supports this project.

Malang Senatus: The fourth National Youth Conference with an attendance of 271 was organised by Somerang Regia. Attached Councils are visited and new praesidia were established throughout the Senatus area. A Curia in Jayapura, (West Papua New Guinea), attached to the Senatus, is also engaged in extension.

TAIWAN

Taiwan Senatus: Legionaries are trying to establish a praesidium in each parish in the Senatus area. Five new praesidia have been set up in recent months. Legionaries made contact with a praesidium on Penghu Island which had kept going for a long time despite being out of contact with the Senatus. Regular contact has now been re-established. An Indonesian priest resident in the city of Taipei has found an innovative way of enabling legionaries to do crowd contact: he has formed a little band in which he plays the Angklung, a traditional instrument. The band performs in subways and other public locations and legionaries do crowd contact among those who gather to listen to the music.

SINGAPORE

Singapore Senatus: Extension features in reports. Kenningau Comitium set up a senior Curia with 7 praesidia and a junior Curia with 9 praesidia. A junior Curia gave its Annual Report. Works include leading Rosaries, assisting in faith formation and outreach to the homeless. The Annual Mass for Frank Duff had an attendance of 800. Reports were received from Kuching Comitium, Sibu Comitium and Brunei Curia.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong Comitium: Two elections took place in June/July: Sr. Maria Tam was elected President and Sr. Mable Tsang elected as Vice President. Works by attached Councils include, Home, hospital and prison visitation.

IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT

COMITIA

Carlow Comitium: A recruiting drive was held in Askea parish in September. Paulstown praesidium has 5 members and one auxiliary. Members arrange a Communion Service when the priest is away. Miraculous Medals were distributed after Masses on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and were also given to First Communicants. The praesidium in Carlow town has 4 members and 100 auxiliaries. The Rosary and Legion prayers are recited by members in homes. Miraculous Medals and prayer leaflets for the 3 Causes are distributed. The Patricians is attended mainly by legionaries and they do not have a regular Spiritual Director. A recent topic was on the New Age and the paper was prepared by a non-legionary.

Elphin Comitium: The Deus et Patria project to Athlone in October was considered very successful but as yet a praesidium has not materialised. A praesidium composed completely of Brazilians and based in Roscommon has 8 members and 13 auxiliaries. The meeting is held in Portuguese and works mainly among the Brazilian community. They continue to host house Rosaries and Novenas and help their Chaplain, Fr. Heneghan, with the liturgy for Brazilian Masses, Sacramental Courses and Knock Pilgrimage for the Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida. North Elphin Curia: The Edel Quinn Club for women got off to a happy start in October. They meet on Saturday afternoons in Assumpta House, beginning with the Prayer to Edel and ending with various prayers to Our Lady. Demonstrations are given by legionaries and friends on various topics such as, flower arranging, and baking followed by tea and a chat and concluding with the Memorare prayer.

Tuam Comitium: Legionaries are hopeful that efforts to establish a new praesidium in Headford parish will bear fruit. Recruiting appeals were made at Masses and 4 meetings took place so far. Corofin praesidium has 5 members and 50 auxiliaries. Home and Pilgrim statue visitation is done most weeks and the Miraculous Medal and the 3 Causes are promoted. Many lapsed are invited back to the Church. Auxiliaries are recruited at 2 nursing homes. Skehana praesidium has 8 members and 40 auxiliaries. They visit a nursing home, the sick and elderly, and filled 2,000 bottles of Holy Water for distribution after the Easter Masses. Westport Curia was re-established on February 6th and 4 new officers were elected.

CURIAE

Achonry Curia has 3 praesidia attached. Ballymote praesidium, which was founded in 1932, has 6 members who visit people confined to their homes, a nursing home and outreach houses from the psychiatric unit. During May they organised the weekly recitation of the Rosary at a grotto in the grounds of the nursing home which was well attended by members of the public. They visited the National School and distributed Miraculous Medals to the pupils and staff.

Clonfert Curia: Taughmaconel praesidium has 4 members and 10 auxiliaries. Their apostolate includes hospital, nursing home and bereaved visitation. Holy Water bottles are filled and placed in the Church for collection. Miraculous Medals and leaflets are also distributed and help is given with Adoration. Looscaun praesidium undertakes home visitation to the old and sick in the parish and in hospital.

Ferns Curia: Extension work was done in Bunclody. Two members spoke at the Masses. To mark the centenary of the Legion of Mary Curia members have been requested to come up with ideas for the celebrations at local level.

Galway Curia: A reporting praesidium has 5 members who undertake home visitation in the Cathedral parish which has a large population including many students. One lady asked them to arrange to have her child baptised. They also visit 5 Simon Community Houses and a nursing home and do street contact in the vicinity of Eyre Square. Miraculous Medals are given and the book barrow is well stocked. Only one person came to the meeting to start a new praesidium as a result of the Doughishka projects but further visitation is planned. A Frank Duff Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral on 13th December.

Killala Curia: Knockmore junior praesidium has 2 juniors and 2 seniors on roll. Works: helping at home and school; one junior is a Reader at Mass and the other serves Mass. Cornboy praesidium has 6 members; 3 are Praetorians. They visit hospitals and nursing homes and give religious packs to First Communicants. A praesidium in Ballina has 6 members and 58 auxiliaries. They circulate the Pilgrim statue to homes and distribute Miraculous Medals, and arrange Confession for residents in a nursing home. The Curia is promoting the ‘Children of the Eucharist’ in the Diocese, an initiative to get children involved in Eucharistic Adoration. A Mobile display of Eucharistic Miracles is moving around the parishes. Doris Doherty, a long standing member in her 90s let it be known that Alfie Lambe started a praesidium in Ballina and another in Ballycastle.

Kilkenny Curia: The works of one praesidium include visitation of the elderly in their homes and care facilities, plus promotion and attendance at a public Rosary on the first Sunday of the month opposite the Cathedral.

DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE

Mater Ecclesiae Curia: Street contact took place on two occasions leading up to Christmas where over 1,000 leaflets with Mass and Confession times were distributed. Two prayer groups for the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff take place weekly and monthly.

Our Lady of Fatima Curia: Attendance at Curia meeting has increased following the decision to change the time of the meeting. Monthly prayer meetings take place for the Causes of Frank Duff and Edel Quinn. Praetorian membership is encouraged.

Ancilla Domini Curia comprises of 7 praesidia. 5 non-Catholics were among 20 present at a Pauline Circle meeting. In one praesidium members do street contact for an hour before their weekly meeting to recruit new members. Home, hospital and auxiliary visitation are undertaken by another praesidium.

Immaculata Curia: 7 legionaries promoted the Catholic Adults Conference on street contact with a positive response. Home visitation, Pilgrim statue visits, school visitation and twice-yearly public Rosaries are among the works of one praesidium. One member researches and presents a weekly programme on Radio Maria called the ‘Frank Duff Hour’. The Curia has 5 probationary members.

Spouse of the Holy Spirit Curia has 5 praesidia attached. A praesidium of 6 members and 20 auxiliaries does hospital and nursing home visitation. Catholic newspapers are promoted at weekend Masses and distributed weekly in the parish. They also organise a weekly Holy Hour and a monthly Frank Duff prayer meeting. 40 parishioners attended the ‘Rosary on the Coast’. The Two Hearts Consecration Prayer card was popular among contacts who visited a Legion table outside an oratory in a shopping centre.

Gloriosa Curia: A praesidium has doubled their membership since last year with 4 full, 2 probationers and 20 auxiliaries currently on roll. Catholic literature is promoted at two weekend Masses; street contact nursing home and prison visits are also undertaken. The 33-Day Preparation for True Devotion to Mary was promoted in the parish and Eucharistic Adoration was organised during Advent. A reception for children and their parents was organised after Sunday Mass one weekend.

Assumpta Curia: A praesidium of 7 active and 4 auxiliaries staff the parish bookshop and host a Patrician meeting, which has an average attendance of 20. Both the bookshop and Patrician meetings are well supported by the priests of the parish.

Benedicta Curia are organising the printing of leaflets to promote Eucharistic Adoration in the four parishes of the Curia. 97 recruiting efforts were reported over two months by the two junior and six senior praesidia. Families in local flats receiving the Pilgrim statue are encouraged to invite their neighbours to pray the Rosary with them. Visits are made to patients in a local hospital and the Maria Legionis journal is offered to members of the public. One probationary member recently took the Legion Promise.

Annunciata Curia: A praesidium of 7 active and 20 auxiliaries includes 10 religious and 4 lay Adjutorians. 70 copies of the Maria Legionis are promoted locally among auxiliaries, religious houses, library and swimming complex. Some interesting contacts were made while promoting the Pioneers after Mass in the parish. 17 attended a Retreat for blind people. 4 new Patricians were gained during the year.

SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA

Buenos Aires Senatus organised great celebrations in January for the 60th Anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Alfie Lambe, Legion of Mary Envoy to South America 1953 – 1959. The attendance included representatives from several countries. Noel Lynch, former Legion Envoy to Argentina represented the Concilium.

Cordoba Senatus: The Curia based in Alta Gracia, reported six prisoners received into the Church, receiving Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. A Curia with a praesidium based in a vacant chapel in a red light district has an outreach to those frequenting the area.

Corrientes Regia: The works of one Curia include home and hospital visitation, catechesis, and street contact.

Rosario Regia: Preparations are being made for the Centenary. Legionaries give attention to building up their knowledge of the Legion. A day of reflection on Frank Duff was held with a very good attendance. Attention is given to recruiting. There are 35 probationers at present.

BRAZIL: Belem Senatus: Works include: preparation for reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Marriage; hospital visitation and visits to the sick; conversion of people of other religions as a result of home visitation. A Retreat was organised for three days during the Carnival-week. Mass was celebrated for the 60th anniversary of the Legion in the State of Pará.

Belo Horizonte Senatus: One praesidium was lauded for its tireless apostolate with young people seeking to recruit them for the Legion. One Curia reported that young people who had received the Sacrament of Confirmation accompanied legionaries on their home visits and visits to the sick and infirm.

Fortaleza Senatus: Four Curiae reported a total of 1,944 home visitations; two of the Curiae made 643 visits to the elderly and the other two Curiae also made many visits to the sick and the elderly, one of the Curiae making 1,790 such visits.

Ponta Grossa Senatus: Visits were made to hospitals and homes, and evangelisation in public squares was undertaken. 110 children and nine adults received their first Holy Communion. An evangelical was converted.

Recife Senatus: Several priests have invited the Senatus to set up the Legion in their parishes and so extension continues with new senior and junior praesidia. There is a great variety of works as part of an effort to reach out to all, especially the most dejected with regular visits to the shacks.

Rio de Janeiro Senatus: Prayers are requested for the soul of Yolanda Vieira Ribeiro formerly President of the Senatus and one of the pioneer legionaries in Brazil helping with the first praesidia in 1953, taking part in extension to the north of Brazil and spending many years of officership in Rio from the beginning up to her recent death. In a town near Rio two 2,500 homes were visited and Holy Communion was brought to two thousand people who were unable to go to the Church. In the distant Amazonian region of Roraima the Legion helps refugees from Venezuela.

Salvador Senatus organised the National Meeting of Spiritual Directors. Legionaries made visits to families inviting children, young people and adults to the Sacraments, and also made visits to people who are far from the Church. They welcome people from the interior who come to do medical examinations, consultations and surgeries. A Marian Retreat was organised with the participation of 150 young people.

Santa Maria Senatus reports work for the sick, including both the elderly and children. The Rosary is recited in hospitals and at wakes. The Curia in the state capital of Porto Alegre reports 999 visits to homes. The Senatus Spiritual Director holds a weekly Bible study for members.

São Paulo Senatus: A Regia in Campo Grande reported 4,901 visits to families, 3,069 visits to hospitals with prayer and 1,982 Holy Communions. 1,017 elderly were visited at home and 510 in homes for the elderly. One Comitium reported 515 contacts on home visitation. These included evangelicals, agnostics and spiritists. They had 54 street contacts, visited 420 sick at home and 131 in hospitals and brought Holy Communion to sick people.

Brasilia Regia, in conjunction with the other higher councils in Brazil are preparing to celebrate the Centenary of the founding of the Legion by dedicating the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 to Alfie Lambe, Edel Quinn and Frank Duff in that order. Street contact is made at bus terminals and in public squares where the Rosary is recited. A praesidum resulted from an Exploratio Dominicalis in the State of Goias in which the Parish Priest took part.

EUROPE

AUSTRIA

Senatus of Austria: A Winter School in Vienna was attended by 74 legionaries. A team from Hollbrunn did a project, contacting women in brothels. Most of the women were from Eastern Europe. 2 Legionaries spent 3 days in Bucharest, visiting praesidia and helping with extension. They attended the Curia and secured a Spiritual Director. Salzburg, which has 4 praesidia will receive an extension team this year.

Councils under Caretakership of Austria:

Two Comitia in the Czech Republic report regular extension and there are now 28 praesidia in the country.

Slovakia has 26 praesidia and has renewed extension efforts.

Moldova with 9 praesidia has many young people in their ranks.

Bulgaria now boasts 4 good presidia.

Romania, which has recently been transferred from Concilium has stabilised and 5 praesidia are attached to the Senatus.

Ukraine has 3 Comitia, 7 Curiae and 5 praesidia, 2 of which are Greek-Catholic, and apart from Elizabeth Kriss, several of the correspondents have visited their councils.

Belarus: Praesidia average 5 to 7 members. Visitation of praesidia and attached Curia are reported on at every meeting. Works include, home and hospital visitation, visits to Night Shelters, speaking with young people on the streets and at shopping centres. They encourage people to visit Churches, especially on Sundays, speak about the need for Confession, Holy Communion and prayer and also help with all parish activities. Baranovichi Comitium: One praesidium visits ill people. Extension is carried out to outside parishes.

CROATIA

Petrinja Comitium: All councils are encouraged to start Nazareth groups and junior praesidia with a view to reaching out to parents. One Curia with 7 praesidia has 39 active members and 249 auxiliaries. 15 attended a new praesidium. Petrinja Curia has 7 praesidia, 34 active members and 89 auxiliaries. A Creative Workshop was set up in a psychiatric hospital. A praesidium with 7 active, 3 Praetorians, and 7 auxiliaries has 2 Nazareth groups in two villages. The junior Curia has 7 praesidia with 37 members. A Nazareth Feast was held for children and parents with 80 attended.

Zagreb Regia: Five praesidia reported. Home, hospital and nursing home visitation are done. A number of those visited received the Sacraments. A praesidium in Zagreb with 11 members has an apostolate to teenagers in a Caritas centre for youth, does street contact and does Pilgrim statue visitation. An elderly lady who was visited for some time went to Confession and died soon afterwards. A nursing home resident received Confession and Holy Communion after 20 years. A praesidium in Dugo Selo Curia holds monthly Patricians with 15-20 present. Six juniors from the attached junior Curia attended a school for legionaries in Austria. A Curia in Zagreb reported 14 people returning to the Sacraments. Split Comitium has 10 praesidia and 2 Curiae. Works: street apostolate, prison and home visitation. Many returns to the Sacraments were recorded. Zadar Comitium has 7 praesidia and 2 Curiae. Extension took place. 748 people received the Sacraments after short periods and 3 after lapsing for long periods, also 50 auxiliaries enrolled and one couple had their marriage regularised. Comitium Osijek: home, hospital and nursing home visitation are carried out.

BOSNIA HERZGOVINA

Sarajevo Curia has 7 praesidia, 47 active members, 5 Praetorians, 194 auxiliaries, and 11 Adjutorians. Three people returned to the Sacraments after long periods.

SLOVENIA has one praesidium.

HUNGARY

Budapest Regia: 7 praesidia reported. The Regia has 10 Curiae and 6 Comitia. Works: visitation of the sick in their homes, social welfare homes and hospitals. Several people were brought back to the Sacraments. Legionaries recite the Rosary on the Catholic Radio, organise Eucharistic Adoration and Pilgrimages. Miskolc Curia organised the recital of the Rosary by 120 children from crèches and a school. Latvia Comitium Riga has 12 attached praesidia and 3 Curiae. They arrange Mass twice a month in the Hospital and assist with bringing Holy Communion to patients. A new praesidium is working well in Liepaja Curia which has 4 praesidia.

LITHUANIA

Kaunus Comitium has 17 attached praesidia and 7 Curiae. A praesidium of 9 members in Kanuas brings 8 parishioners to Mass on Sundays. They also speak to people about the dangers of alcohol and refer contacts to local A.A. groups.

Telsiai Comitium: Extension efforts are on-going. 4 praesidia reported. Works: home, hospital, and nursing home visitation, crowd contact and public Rosaries. They recruited 15 new auxiliaries. 308 families requested a visit from the priest to bless their homes. Legionaries accompany the priest on hospital visits. 7 patients went to Confession after periods ranging from 10 to 70 years. One praesidium started a prayer group for mothers. One Curia has 3 prayer groups. Home visitation is done. Another Curia does home, hospital, and nursing home visitation.

POLAND

Warsaw Senatus: A Comitium has 15 praesidia attached. Works include home and hospital visitation, plus Miraculous Medal apostolate. A praesidium assists in the work of local Radio Maria.

Lublin Regia: Works include visitation and prayers with sick in homes and hospitals. Hodyshew Curia has 4 praesidia with 52 active members and 71 auxiliaries. Another Comitium has 3 Curiae and 38 praesidia with 352 active and 662 auxiliary members. 26 members work among addicts. Leczna Curia engages in street apostolate. They also participated in an Exploratio Dominicalis in Lusczow.

ROMANIA

Satu Mare Regia: 7 praesidia reported. Works include hospital visitation, and Pilgrimages. In one Parish, many who rarely go to Mass attended adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Legionaries in Sarkoz Curia visit ill and lonely people, and organise prayer meetings and Pilgrimages.