Concilium Bulletin January 2020
TOGO
Senatus of Lome: The Peregrinatio Pro Christo to Ghana took place in August. Several Congresses were held and the preparation for 4 Congresses are in progress. Many other Exploratio Dominicalis projects were also held, one resulting in getting 12 new members and the possibility of 2 new junior praesidia. One Curia has a praesidium in a police barracks. Works undertaken include home, prison and hospital visitation, street contact, giving catechesis with many being received in the Catholic Church. Nearly all councils report on having juniors attached. One report from a junior Curia mentions that they are promoting Confession, doing street contact and asking people to become catechists. Many councils report on the prevention of abortions. One Curia mentions the start of a praesidium in a prison as well as setting up a new Curia. A new Curia for the English-speaking praesidia is being started in Lome.
SENEGAL
Dakar and Pikine Comitia: Home, prison and hospital visitation are undertaken as well as giving catechesis resulting in conversions, First Holy Communions and Confirmations. 42 catechists were recruited.
IVORY COAST
Senatus of Abidjan: Three praesidia and six Comitia gave their Annual Reports during this period. They have a combined membership of 8,003 active legionaries of whom 483 are Praetorians, 524 auxiliaries, including 74 Adjutorians and 393 probationers. They made a large number of visits to a variety of locations and contacted many thousands of people, mostly Catholic, but also people of other faiths and those with no religion. They visited hundreds of sick people in their homes and in hospitals, recruited 689 catechumens and have 236 legionaries teaching the Catechism. Many homes were reconciled and marriages regularised. There were several returns to Mass and reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation and the Sick. Two new junior praesidia were established.
CAMEROON
Doula Senatus: The setting up of a 2 new Curia is in progress. The Secretary of one Curia was abducted and is seriously ill. Yaounde Regia reports that extension is going on in every parish and the Regia is looking at staring the Legion in those parishes where it is not yet present. Also many new junior praesidia were started, mainly in Bokito. In Bamenda a prison praesidium has restarted. Nkongsamba Comitium gives catechesis to prisoners and 4 of them are ready to enter the Church. They offer the prisoners copy books and pens in order to help with the catechesis. Bansoa Curia held a Congress. One Curia organises catechesis for couples.
Malabo Regia is concentrating on helping legionaries with the study of the Handbook. The praesidia are very numerous and efforts are being made to help them put the Standing Instructions into practice. Works include street contact. They meet with and contact young people. Many young legionaries attended a recent Catholic Conference for Young People at which there was an attendance of 155; afterwards six young people joined the Legion.
BURKINO FASO
Ouagadougou Comitium, which governs the Legion in part of this land-locked country bordering on the Sahara desert is entering on the New Year with a new team of Officers. The Diocese of Bobo-Dioulasso sought help from Abidjan Senatus in the Ivory Coast to restore their Comitium which had collapsed and were sent a delegation headed by the former Senatus President, Sr. Odette Dié, which restored the Comitium to working order.
REPUBLIC OF BENIN
Cotonou Regia: The Legion in this area is governed by the Regia of Cotonou and stretches 500 miles northwards from the Gulf of Guinea to where the Niger River turns south from the Sahara and heads down through Nigeria to enter the sea. In Cotonou itself the Legion engages in a varied apostolate and among its works conducts “Frank Duff Clubs” for the formation of youth in the faith. Their Spiritual Director visited the Legion in Burkina Faso to share ideas and learn new initiatives.
CONGO
Brazzaville Senatus: Over a 4-month period, reports from 2 Regia, 6 Comitia, 10 Curiae and 5 praesidia were received. Works include home visitation, teaching catechism, visiting the sick, prisoners, widows and the poor. Outreach is made to many people of different faiths to share the Catholic faith with them. There are 460 probationary members. Over 100 young legionaries from 8 parishes attended a Retreat on the theme “Young legionaries in the School of Mary”. Visitation of councils takes place regularly. Formation days were held to instruct legionaries on their duties.
CENTRAL AMERICA
MEXICO
Mexico City Senatus: Out of the 9 Archdioceses and 37 Dioceses in the Senatus area 14 have no Legion presence. This prompted action and contact was made with a Parish Priest in the Diocese of Celaya. They gave him a Handbook, Tesserae and a copy of the Legion Statutes. He already knew about the Legion and gave immediate consent for starting a praesidium. Vacancy rates are low councils 8% and praesidia 9%. A Retreat for women had an attendance of 60.
Regia Acapulco reported the Legion in 156 parishes of the 259 parishes in the 5 Dioceses in the Regia area.
Guadalajara Regia: The Regia is showing great progress with a wide variety of works. Legionaries visited the police stand at an exhibition and spoke to 11 policemen. They also do home visitation, have a book barrow apostolate and visit the prison. Many prisoners are prepared for the Sacraments.
Durango Regia: Reports from Durango do not show signs of progress. Correspondents seem to be in contact with their councils but there is no information. Monterrey Regia: Two new praesidia were set up. The sick, young people in rehabilitation centres and prisoners are visited. They also have contact with immigrants. Young women who are in doubt about continuing with their pregnancy are encouraged to do so. Young people are prepared for First Communion and Confirmation. Devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is promoted.
Hermosillo Regia: The Regia has been giving time to the two new Curiae, Mexicali and Tijuana which have transferred from Los Angeles. They needed help with the basic administration e.g. agendas, Minutes, visitation of praesidia etc. and conducting the Curiae meetings. The Regia appointed two new correspondents for the two Curiae. The Regia has done a thorough visitation of the attached councils with the correspondent.
NICARAGUA
Managua Regia: Attendance at the Regia has improved from 45% to 54%. It was low due to bad weather. A new President was elected recently. He has wide experience in the Legion and has served previously as President. An attached Curia is setting up two new praesidia. 7 young children are being catechised by legionaries. Five praesidia did a day project visiting homes in a parish and had a Mass celebrated to finalise the day.
COSTA RICA
One praesidium, 4 Curiae and 4 Comitia reported during this three-month period. Eighty new legionaries were recruited mostly young adults and 7 praesidia were set up. A number of legionaries in a Curia undertook to do the 33 day preparation for consecration to Jesus through Mary. A Curia organised a very positive meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese to coordinate and take part in the Pastoral Plan, and preparations are under way for the Centenary.
PANAMA
Panama Regia: Following up their plan of extension the Regia has visited many parishes and a number of Parish Priests have accepted the idea of setting up praesidia. A number of young legionaries visited a community and recruited 6 young persons to start a praesidium. They are also contacting former legionaries and parishes where there was once a Legion presence with a view to starting again.
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa Senatus: The Comitium in San Pedro Sula, with 8 Curiae and 10 praesidia attached gave reports. They carry out a variety of works, particularly linking up with the distant areas where they give catechism lessons and prepare children and adults for the Sacraments. Filling vacant officerships is their most difficult problem due to distances. They were advocating a national Legion gathering but the correspondent suggested a Legion Congress as outlined in the Handbook.
El SALVADOR
San Salvador Senatus: A new Treasurer was elected. Legionaries take part in Catholic radio programmes. Home visitation has resulted in a few couples regularising their marriage. Instruction is carried out in a police centre by 2 legionaries. One praesidium reported that during the past 3 years they carried out catechetical instruction twice a week to 30 workers in an isolated area resulting in some of them converting to the Catholic Faith; others returned to their families. Preparation for the Centenary is underway. A Peregrinatio Pro Christo project is planned for September.
IRELAND
Dromore Comitium: As the Comitium has only 5 praesidia they have decided to have 6 monthly reports from January 2020.Three schools were visited recently. The annual Retreat for men had 14 present.
Navan Comitium: Kentstown praesidium has 7 members, 5 of whom are Praetorians. They have 61 auxiliaries. Works include organising a weekly Rosary in the cemetery during November, visitation of homes of pre-First Holy Communion children and reciting the Rosary with them. They bring a statue of Our Lady of Fatima and explain the message of Fatima to the children. Members helped to organise the “Be My Witness” programme for Confirmation children. The Rosary was recited 4 times during the school year with the 6th class in the local school. An outreach to the Brazilian community includes teaching them basic English.
Trim Curia has 6 praesidia. The 2 reporting praesidia have 8 and 5 members. One of these praesidia visited the National School where a DVD was shown to the First Communion children and the Rosary was recited in the school during October. Mullingar Curia has 7 praesidia. A reporting praesidium organised a “Night of Light” event at Halloween.
Derry Comitium: The main work of one praesidium is home visitation. They also visit First Communion classes in 3 schools promoting the Rosary and the Miraculous Medal. The Comitium was invited to attend a Cursillio meeting to speak about the Legion of Mary.
Strabane Curia has 10 praesidia covering a vast area in County Tyrone and part of Donegal. Works include home visitation, plus visits to the sick and elderly. They also assist teachers with First Communion classes and help to organise parish events.
Raphoe Comitium: Extension efforts are being made in Kilmacrennan. Some praesidia with low and ageing membership are struggling to survive. Cresslough junior praesidium members help the seniors on their visitation of a nursing home. The juniors have presented their research into the three Causes to the meeting and promote these Causes among family and friends. A praesidium of young members in Letterkenny is in its 10th year. They have 7 members and 2 probationers who promote the Legion in the College when they call to student residences in September to inform them about the location of the chapel and Mass times. During the summer street contact was carried out with the aid of a book barrow.
Annunciata Curia: The main work of a praesidium with 5 members, 2 probationers, 45 auxiliaries and 2 Praetorians is home visitation. They also visit the local schools and are very active in all parish activities. Two members visit a prison. The members of the University praesidium visit students in their accommodation and give details of the various events which the Chaplaincy offers. Five student houses have been enthroned with the Sacred Heart picture. They organised the Catholic Youth Conference which had about 59 in attendance, average age 29. A monthly prayer meeting is organised in the Chaplaincy. A praesidium with 4 members and 161 auxiliaries visit homes promoting family prayer and they distribute the parish bulletin. A discussion took place as to whether a new Curia should be set up in West Belfast as there are now 18 praesidia attached to the Comitium. Extension and recruiting is discussed at all meetings.
Leitrim Curia: Longford praesidium has 8 members. During home visitation they promote the Miraculous Medal, Catholic literature and distribute the parish newsletter. The Pilgrim statue is brought to homes for a week and recipients are encouraged to recite the Rosary while having it. They promote the Patricians especially among young people, and make Rosary beads some of which go to the Missions and others are given out on Reek Sunday at Croagh Patrick and also during home visitation.
Clogher Curia: Enniskillen praesidium has 5 members who bring senior parishioners to daily Mass and visit a nursing home. A two-hour Eucharistic Adoration was organised on New Year’s Eve. Derrygonnelly praesidium also has 5 members. They bring the parish bulletin and religious magazines to the housebound and undertake hospital and nursing home visitation.
Kilmore Curia: The Legion Pilgrimage to Knock had 46 adults and 3 children travelling on a bus from Cavan. Seven members of the Curia attended the October Concilium meeting. Plans are being made to distribute Miraculous Medals to First Holy Communion classes.
Clonmacnoise Curia: The works of two praesidia include Pilgrim statue and nursing home visitation, organising Adoration and visitation of schools.
Armagh Curia: The new praesidium in Ballygawley, which started with 4 members, has now increased to 9. Their work includes visiting the schools with Rosaries and Holy Water and twice yearly they recite the Rosary with the pupils.
Drogheda Curia: Clogherhead praesidium has 6 members and 35 Auxiliaries. Among their works are visiting young families; they delivered Baptismal certificates to 30 families of young babies, and visited First Communion and Confirmation classes in two Primary Schools. They recited the Rosary at the Harbour to pray for people lost at sea and for the safety of those working on the seas. The praesidium in the Mosney Accommodation Centre has 4 members and 3 probationers, 10 auxiliaries and one Adjutorian. The works of the praesidium at present are to support the parish in building up of the communities in both Stamullen and Julianstown parishes. The Mosney Accommodation Centre Management welcomed the praesidium to organise Mass in the Mosney Accommodation Church. Collon has 4 members, 18 auxiliaries, one Praetorian and 2 Adjutorians. Limited home visitation is carried out. The Curia joined with Consolata Curia, Dublin, for a Legion Congress in Swords in September which was very successful.
Dundalk Curia: A member of Stabannon praesidium who is on the Parish Pastoral Council visited 124 homes in the parish during the summer along with their new Parish Priest. Other members of the praesidium visit the old, the lonely and a nursing home and distribute Miraculous Medals to school children at the end-of-year Mass. A legionary from Knock has moved to Cooley and is interested in having a praesidium there. The Parish Priest is due to meet members of the Curia this month. The Frank Duff Anniversary Mass took place in St. Malachy’s Church on 7th November followed by the showing of the DVD titled “Frank Duff Glorious Lives”.
DUBLIN NORTHSIDE
Veneranda Curia has10 praesidia and 1 junior praesidium. One praesidium is responsible for the management and financial affairs of the Maria Legionis journal. The total circulation is approximately 19,000, including 3,000 for members of the Catholic hierarchy worldwide, 3,477 for Dublin and 2,496 for the rest of Ireland. The junior praesidium has 5 full members, including 3 juniors and two mothers who are their senior members. They have full officership and their works include a Youthjoy Teen Club which they plan, organise and promote every month. The aim of the club is to bring young people together in a friendly atmosphere to make friends, take part in social activities, pray and learn about faith, and enjoy pizza. A mother, met by senior legionaries on home visitation, brought her 3 teenage children to the club and later sent a message of thanks saying how much they had enjoyed it.
Porta Coeli Curia: One praesidium visits a nursing home where they recite the Rosary and sing hymns with the residents. Catholic newspapers are sold at the parish Church and the May altar erected in the local school was received very favourably. A praesidium with 7 members visits residents of 2 nursing homes and housebound parishioners. Two members attend two other praesidium meetings which are struggling due to low membership. The Pilgrim statue is a great source of consolation to families. Plans are underway for a Frank Duff Prayer meeting.
Bethlehem Curia: A praesidium visited 470 homes during the year where people of many different faiths were met. 23 families accepted the Fatima statue into their homes. 24 hotels and guest houses were visited with invitations to the Anniversary Mass of the Servant of God Frank Duff in November. Street contact is undertaken regularly. Recruiting is encouraged at every Curia meeting and one praesidium has increased its active membership from 2 to 6. Seven non-legionaries attended the Edel Quinn Promoter’s meeting.
Consolata Curia: A praesidium of 6 members recites the Rosary and Legion prayers every Thursday with auxiliary members. Home visitation is undertaken weekly, and invitations to consider home-blessing is offered to all. One lady asked legionaries for a Bible, which was brought to her, and a visit to a nursing home resulted in a lady blessing herself with holy water, having refused it for many years. To mark the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Rosary was prayed every hour from 9.30am to 9.30pm. Two Patrician meetings had an attendance of 8. One praesidium has two new probationers. Efforts by a praesidium to establish a praesidium in a neighbouring parish are on-going. Visitation to the Travelling Community is undertaken, and a public Rosary in the summer months attracts a good attendance. Alcohol, drug abuse, and other issues are part of life for the people encountered on visitation. Legionaries work with a missionary nun who does much work with the Travelling Community.
Presentata Curia has 17 praesidia. A praesidium of 10 full and 2 probationary members works at the Morning Star hostel, preparing and serving meals, cleaning, gardening, doing house maintenance and staffing the admissions unit. Members interact with the residents while carrying out these duties. One member does street contact in Temple Bar with other legionaries. English language lessons and catechesis are arranged when required for members of the Brazilian community.
Exaltata Curia has eight praesidia. A praesidium of 4 active members undertakes home visitation each week. Almost all homes in the parish have been visited. 30 families accepted the Pilgrim statue of Our Lady into their home for a week and many were reluctant to part with it afterwards! Legionaries deliver the Christmas and Easter parish newsletter as well as November lists of deceased to 400 homes. The praesidium carried out an Exploratio Dominicalis project during the year. All of the presidium’s 13 auxiliary members take the Maria Legionis magazine. Public Rosaries take place during the summer months and local residents are invited to participate. A visitation project took place in the parish with the help of another praesidium. 74 homes were visited, despite poor weather conditions, and a potential active legionary was met.
ASIA
ARMENIA
Two praesidia started in this country in 2018 – in Yerevan (Armenian-speaking) with 6 members and Spartak with 9 members. The junior praesidium in Yerevan started in August 2019 and has 7 members. The English-speaking praesidium in Yerevan started in December 2019 and has 5 members, and another Armenian-speaking praesidium, also in Yerevan started in November 2019 and has 8 members. Works include visiting the sick and dying, teaching catechism, helping in the home run by the Mother Teresa sisters, and work with non-Catholics. Fr. Bernardo gave a Three- day Retreat for legionaries.
AZERBAIJAN
The president of one praesidium re-located with her husband to Dubai – however she keeps in touch with the praesidium. The praesidium in Baku has 12 members.
HOLY LAND
Work of 6 of the praesidia includes visiting sick and elderly, and reciting Rosaries at grottos. Two family members were reconciled after 8 years. Two junior praesidia reported, both in schools with 21 members.
LEBANON
An email was received to say that due to much turmoil in the country and closed roads, no meeting has been held for the past 3 months.
MYANMAR
The Legion is at work in all 16 Dioceses. Preparation takes place for the Sacraments of the Sick, Marriage, Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Visiting the irreligious and enthronement of homes to the Sacred Heart are also done.
THAILAND
73 homes were enthroned to the Sacred Heart. Much work is done among the sick, the lapsed and underprivileged children. The Senatus received a report from Western Laos which has 2 Curiae, one with 5 praesidia and 70 members; the second Curia has 6 praesidia with 105 members.
VIETNAM
Two Regia had been established in this country, one in 2003 and the other in 2014 for which Concilium permission was not sought; it is hoped to bring a proposal to the Concilium to regularise this situation. The officers when visiting Concilium in 2019
Provided maps showing where the Regia had been raised. One Regia has 12,500 seniors and 2,000 junior members. They reported preparation for the Sacraments, 58 abortions prevented, and many returns to the Sacraments. In the rural areas, despite poor travel conditions, many homes are visited.
INDIA
Pondicherry Senatus: Praesidia reporting had between 7 and 23 members. Catholics and non-Catholics are met in the course of home and hospital visitation.
Chennai Regia: A visit on behalf of Concilium will soon be made by 3 legionaries from Mumbai Senatus to the Regia. Prayers are asked for this visit.
Mumbai Senatus: Much home visitation is done to people of other faiths. Alcoholics are counselled. Prisons authorities welcome the visiting legionaries. This Senatus also cares for the Legion in Nepal where there are praesidia in 4 of the 11 parishes. Two representatives from Senatus visit annually to help with training, visitation and extension.
Kottar Regia: 6 Comitia, 4 Curiae and 8 praesidia reported. Orphanages, homes of mentally and physically impaired are visited. Sunday catechesis tuition is provided. Six Legion Congresses had between 60 and 220 attending. 26, 52 and 35 legionaries took part in 3 separate Exploratio Dominicalis projects. Half-yearly reports were taken from 6 Comitia, 4 Curiae and 8 praesidia. 145 legionaries attended a day Retreat, 350 attended an annual day function and 245 attended a Retreat organised by an attached Comitium.
Kerala Senatus: An attached Comitium has 7 Curiae and 6 senior praesidia with 6,892 senior, 43 junior and 696 auxiliary members. Home visitation is the chief work. The report includes mention of “helping the destitute, giving food to poor children, collecting offerings and giving food packets to the needy.” The correspondent has referred the members to the Handbook section on Material Relief. This area of India was badly affected by flooding and prayer is sought for the people.
Pondicherry Senatus: Praesidia reporting had between 7 and 23 members. Catholics and non-Catholics are met in the course of home and hospital visitation.
Karnataka Senatus: In the 3 month period 8 Curiae, 2 Comitia and 2 praesidia reported. A visit was made to Bellary Diocese. Two praesidia were visited and a new praesidium of 25 was set up.
EUROPE
FRANCE
Paris Senatus: The works of one praesidium include visitation of a retirement home where legionaries help those with disabilities to assist at Mass. Legionaries also bring Holy Communion to the sick. The praesidium in Lourdes has 6 active members, two of whom, on retirement, moved from Paris and joined the praesidium. Senatus visitors advised that work should be done in pairs. Three days training pertaining to the life and mission of the Permanence took place in May.
GERMANY
Senatus of Frankfurt
The Senatus comprises of two Regia; Cologne and Munich, four Comitia; Berlin, Stuttgart, Freiburg and Zurich, five Curiae; Darmstadt, Korean, Saarlouis, Siberia and Kazakstan and seven attached praesidia.
Regia of Munich: A PPC project in Pritzwalk produced wonderful fruits; 1,100 contacts made, 9 auxiliary members recruited and a married couple found who desire baptism. A well known German journalist, Oliver Gierens, visited the Legion stand and returned for a second visit. He said he would publish an article about his experience. Extension efforts are ongoing in Teisendorf, Gungolding and Neualbenreuth.Regia Cologne: There are 242 active and 1305 auxiliary members. Works include: assisting at the Mass for religious institutes, caring for the sick and the dying, organising information stands, engaging with believers and non-believers about the faith. One praesidium presented the Legion of Mary, over tea and cakes which resulted in five new auxiliaries. A congress was held on the theme of ‘Innovative Advertisement’. Many questions were raised on membership and gaining new members.
Zurich Comitium: The comitium has 51 active and 2,200 auxiliary members. Two probationary members and a large number of auxiliary members have been gained. In St Gallen and Basel, there is a new praesidium of six probationary members.
Berlin Comitium: membership; 21 praetorian, 7 adjutorian and 249 auxiliary members. The comitium has a new spiritual director. Curia of Darmstadt: 2 new active members and an increase in auxiliary membership is noted. A junior praesidium comprising of 4 siblings from Eritrea has begun. Works of the curia include home visitation of new families, those receiving baptism or confirmation and caring for the bereaved. Regular Eucharistic Adoration and prayers are organised.
Korean Curia: the curia has 9 adjutorian members. A three-day retreat was organised for Korean members. Works include the preparation of catechumens for baptism. Contact has been made with Korean legionaries in Erfurt with a view to extension.
75th Jubilee: On Sunday, 12th January 2020, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Legion of Mary in Germany was celebrated. The Legion was started in Ravensburg by a French prisoner of war, Bernard Leon Perlon, on 8th December 1944. He and four convinced Catholics met secretly in each other’s homes during the Nazi reign of terror. Amid great turmoil and fear, they started this work. Hilda Firtel joined after the war.
The 75th jubilee celebrations were held in St Barbara Church, Stuttgart. It was a wonderfully joyous occasion with a packed church full of legionaries from all over Germany and Switzerland too. A ceremonial entrance was made with a procession of Legion banners. Mass was celebrated by auxiliary Bishop Thomas Maria Renz and 7 priests concelebrated. About 2-300 people were present altogether. Bishop Renz praised the work of the Legion, the importance of devotion to Mary and he spoke on baptism as the most significant of all the sacraments Centenary Celebrations: the centenary of the founding of the Legion of Mary will be celebrated on the anniversary of the death of its founder, Frank Duff, on 7th November, 2021 in Frankfurt Cathedral.
KAZAKSTAN
Curia of Kazakhstan: 12 legionaries attended the Curia meeting in Kokschetau. Works include telephone support for sick and needy parishioner and visits to the sick and needy. A praesidium of 9 meets in Korneewka and a new praesidium has been established in Sowetwensko. Legionaries have met with Archbishop Peta and Bishop Schneider who showed tremendous interest in their work.
SIBERIA
Curia of Siberia: Extension is planned for Irkutsk. Legion works include visitation of the sick and elderly, distribution of the Miraculous Medal and working with people with special needs. The number of active legionaries in Siberia is growing.
HOLLAND
Amsterdam Regia: The English-speaking praesidium helps in the parish and visits the sick at home and in hospital. Catechesis is given to those preparing for First Holy Communion and special attention is given to aftercare.
ENGLAND
Birmingham Senatus: A new praesidium has been established in St. Margaret Mary’s Parish. Home visitation, street contact and frequent visits to a flats complex where many of the residents suffer from alcohol problems are the works of another praesidium. West Birmingham Curia: Home visitation is the main work done by most praesidia. Two Secondary Schools are visited during which the Rosary is recited with the children. Recruiting efforts yielded 4 new active and 3 auxiliary members. Bristol Curia: Book barrow apostolate takes place each week in the city centre. A lapsed Catholic who visited the book barrow has returned to Mass.
Northampton Comitium: Two new praesidia were set up. One of the attached praesidia organised an enrolment in the Brown Scapular over two evenings where 55 people, including 20 children, were enrolled. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart was carried out in 30 homes. Swansea Curia: Street rescue in two locations and crowd contact in three locations in the city centre continues weekly. Apostolate to homosexuals at a High Street bar is also done. Leicester Curia: The praesidium in Nottingham has increased to 15 members. Secondary school visitation is planned.
Liverpool Senatus: A new praesidium in the Wirral Curia has started with 4 members. Membership in praesidia reporting ranged from 3 to 10. A junior praesidium has 6 members. Works include home, hospital, nursing home, sick and housebound visitation. An elderly man asked for instruction in the Catholic faith which was carried out by legionaries. He has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation with legionaries acting as sponsors. As a result of a Peregrinatio Pro Christo project in one parish 5 people have returned to practice.
Manchester Comitium reported a new praesidium being established.
Brentwood Regia: Recruiting is very much to the forefront. A praesidium of 5 with a junior praesidium attached recently started a new night praesidium to facilitate young people who work and are unable to attend a morning meeting. They had a Peregrinatio Pro Christo project in the parish and in the course of follow up work two people have signed up for an RCIA course. Central London Curia: 8 praesidia featured in reports with membership ranging from 3 to 12. All the usual Legion works are being done, plus crowd contact at parks and train stations and visitation in a red light area. One praesidium does prison visitation and recently a prisoner asked for literature on the Catholic Church as he wishes to become a Catholic.
SCOTLAND
Senatus of Scotland: The Senatus was very happy to welcome 3 members of the new praesidium in Stratclyde University to the October meeting. Dundee Curia has 7 praesidia. One contact was received into the Church. A praesidium of 6 members had an Easter Garden at a shopping mall and prayed the Rosary every hour. At Christmas a Crib was erected at the mall. Greenock Curia has 9 praesidia totalling 43 members. The Curia hosted 2 Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects for which both Parish Priests concerned were very pleased with the work done. One praesidium has 17 members. The Wayside Club opens every evening of the year with 60 patrons generally in attendance.
DENMARK
The praesidium in Copenhagen continues to meet each Sunday with 10 – 15 in attendance. They visit the sick and members of the community who are in need of visitation and also recruit for Eucharistic Adoration.
SWEDEN: Br and Sr. Kirstein visited praesidia in the Stockholm area. The three praesidia reported on have membership of 5, 8 and 12. Challenging works are being done. A new praesidium has started in Jacobsberg with four members and the Parish Priest attending.
NORWAY
A praesidium in Tonsberg has 8 active and 25 auxiliaries. A group of 20 candidates are currently being prepared for Confirmation by the legionaries. Our Lady of the Rosary praesidium, Drammen: The Rosary and Bible sharing continues to be done in some homes. A Day of Recollection was organised on Dec. 18 and a nine-day Novena of Masses was organised in preparation for Christmas.
