Concilium Bulletin - July 2013

REPORTS

AFRICA
BURUNDIThe Gitega Senatus reports 2 new praesidia directly affiliated. Thanks are due to the efforts of young legionaries from the Paramedical School and the Lyceum Muzinzire. Two new Comitia were formed in the diocese, one at Bugenyuzi and the other at Shombo. The Year of Faith was inaugurated for the legionaries and faithful of northern Burundi on 7th November 2012, anniversary of Frank Duff, with Mass including a homily by newly ordained Fr. Zabulon Nzimenya, a former legionary. Former Envoy, Adriana Nahimana, attended a recent Senatus meeting and exhorted the legionaries to be faithful to meetings, to apostolic work and to obedience. Concern was expressed at the attitude of independence emanating from the Regia of Bujumbura where there has been no communication since January 2012. A national Congress will be held in August, which will include a meeting of all Diocesan Spiritual Directors and where the requirements of the Episcopal Conference in regard to lay movements is to be dealt with.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Bangui Senatus: The minutes indicate the apostolate takes in every sort of problem from prostitution, family break-up, lapsing from practice and conversion. They also show a vibrant junior movement. The Songo Handbook has been checked by one of the Bishops and should be ready for printing soon. However, the country needs our prayer and our support at the moment.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Butembo Senatus: Due to civil unrest attendance at the February meeting was low but attendance at the March and April meetings were back to normal with an average of 80 officers attending. Four reports from Dioceses of Mahagi and 5 from Butembo received by the Senatus. Works undertaken for these months included 610 baptised as Christians, sick visited, 148 marriages celebrated, catechism instruction, children were taught their prayers, drug and alcohol addicts counseled. Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life are brought about as a result of membership. Attached Comitia reports have 928 members and 1039 auxiliaries with similar works. The Senatus held a training session for Curia officers. There are 8992 active members, 907 auxiliaries, 2,273 probationers in Lubero Regia. One junior Curia has 200 active, 57 auxiliary and 318 probationary members.

Bukavu Senatus: Report tell of extension being carried out in Goma and Shabunda and in the Comita of Mulamba, Walungu, Mugogo and Birava. Other works are instigating the return to the Sacraments of 150 Christians; the baptism of 101 babies, 105 youth and 200 adults; the preparation of 1121 people for different sacraments; the return to the Catholic faith of 9 Protestants; the regularisation of 130 illegal marriages; mediation with 60 families; administering the Sacrament of the Sick in 56 emergency cases. There is mention that a training session is being organised for prospective candidates to officership in the Senatus.

Kananga Senatus: The Spiritual Director in his March allocutio pointed out that the Acies falls in the Lenten season, a time for self examination and correction of faults. All Saints Curia celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2014 and has held 561 meetings to date which means that only 11 meetings were missed despite civil unrest bordering on war at times. Auxiliary membership is very small.

MAURITIUS
Mauritius Regia: The Port Louis Comitium reports works of councils attached include teaching catechism, preparation of children for the sacraments, home visitation, organising Rosaries and prayer groups and accompanying priests bringing Holy Communion to the sick. Much emphasis is being placed on the importance and encouragement of new members and the youth in order to insure the survival of the Legion. The Acies was held in all areas around the 25th March. A training day for members was organised in February, the theme being ‘The Apostolate”.

REUNION
Reunion Island: Reports from the various councils indicate works of visitation to homes, hospitals, people living alone and the aged, bringing Holy Communion to the sick and teaching catechism. A suicidal lady was brought to a Legion meeting and with the help and friendship of legionaries has improved and has now taken her Legion promise.

RWANDA
Rwanda Senatus: The Senatus has set up their own website. Kabgay Comitium established in 1957 has 40 Curiae, 26 attached praesidia with 4,624 active, 2,835 auxiliary and 1,997 junior members. 13 lapsed Catholics were brought back into the Church, one new Curia was set up and there was mention of some girls being approached to encourage them to give up the life on the streets.

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SOUTH AMERICA

PARAGUAY
Asuncion Senatus: 89 legionaries participated in a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project to Caacupe. A Comitium established in 2011 has set up 5 senior and 4 junior praesidia in the past year. 6 praesidia hold Patrician meetings, there are prison praesidia in both male and female institutions. A praesidium set up in a Nursing Home is working well. Under the banner of ‘True Devotion to the Nation’ the Legion organises groups of workers to engage in road repairs. A praesidium with 10 members teaches catechesis to young couples. 49 Semillero (junior) groups comprise 485 members.

BOLIVIA
La Paz Senatus: Each praesidium does Exploratio Dominicalis once a year. Usually many praesidia take part in these projects. A weak praesidium got a temporary “loan” of 5 legionaries. Legionaries, who are Ministers of the Eucharist, visit in pairs and stay a little while praying and speaking with the families. Contact has been made with the families of street people encouraging them to return to normal life. A True Devotion to the Nation project involved organising those with special needs into teams to wash cars as a means of income. As a result, a legionary brother received special recognition from the Lord Mayor.

CHILE
Santiago Senatus: Council and praesidium visitation is done in a true family spirit, the visitors gaining from the visit as well as giving advice. Visits to distant councils sometimes take three days so as to have ample time to discuss all aspects of the council. Those baptised are encouraged to be active in the apostolate, be it in the Legion or other Catholic associations. Legionaries, with the help of locals, rebuilt their parish church which collapsed in a recent earthquake.

CUBA
Havana Comitium: Two legionaries from Merida visited Cuba earlier this year. The Comitium is very weak. Although civil authorities are more relaxed towards religion, legionaries continue to do works like reading in church and singing in the choir. The visitors offered to do street contact or home visitation near the Churches but they had excuses, distances, no time etc. Good transport seems to be still a big problem. The Legion exists in 4 of the 11 dioceses in Cuba.

COLOMBIA
Medellin Senatus: The Comitium in Rionegro pays great attention to nurseries where they teach children their first prayers; other works include street contact, home visitation and catechesis. Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Curia carries out various apostolates including visiting geriatric homes and homes for incapacitated babies and children. They help youths suffering from substance addictions while catechesis is given to street children. Contact was made in market places.
Bogota Senatus: During this period 2 Regia, 5 Comitia and 2 praesidia reported. An attached Regia reported a praesidium in a seminary and legionaries carry out an apostolate to soldiers but there is no detailed information. A praesidium of 10 members, 7 of whom are between the ages of 18 and 40 yrs. carry out a great pre-sacramental catechesis for all ages and using a children’s bible for the youngsters.

PERU
Lima Senatus: The Lima Senatus had 17 directly attached praesidia; the February minutes indicated that steps had been taken to set up two new Curiae reducing the number of praesidia to six..

URUGUAY
Montevideo Senatus: Uruguayan legionaries travelled to Buenos Aires and participated in a Rosary at Alfie Lambe’s grave on Jan 21st. 3 Columban Drives resulted in 2 new members. The Bishop of Salto Diocese has given permission for a new Comitium there. Mention is made of the use of a book barrow and the re-activation of some praesidia.

VENEZUELA
Caracas Senatus: Stations of the Cross were held with the police participating. A new praesidium of 8 members was set up in Machique. In April the reports included 7 conversions, a Maria et Patria project, the use of a book barrow and Patrician meetings with 30 to 40 attendees.

ECUADOR
Quito Senatus: A new Curia was set up in Ambato where the Legion originally started, while in Guayaquil 3 new praesidia were established. 23 adults took the promise during the year. 2 Curiae attached to the Esperaldas Comitium have been disbanded but they hope to re-establish them. Talks are given to those preparing for marriage, to godparents and to the unemployed while contact is made with taxi-drivers and in funeral parlours.
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ASIA

PHILIPPINES
Mindanao Senatus: The Legion is very much involved in catechesis of children and in one council this resulted in 7 children and their parents returning to the practice of their faith. A Curia organised a ceremony wherein 114 couples renewed their marriage vows. A Regia with 43 directly attached bodies was advised to form more governing councils. The correspondent advised councils to prioritise Legion membership over other faith based organisations as membership is suffering due to divided loyalties.

Bicolandia Senatus: The theme of the Biennial Conference held in May was “Faith as a Journey that lasts a Lifetime”. Reports on home visitation resulted in 10 marriage validations, 435 adults encouraged to return to Mass, 167 children helped to attend Mass and enthronement of the Sacred Heart promoted. Catechism is taught in Naga Central School and the praesidium in the Naga Jail was visited.

Western Visayas Senatus: Attached to the Senatus are 14 praesidia, 15 Curiae and 13 Comitia. Reports show great efforts on work and dedication to detail. Exploratio Dominicalis, home and hospital visitation, prison visitation, teaching catechism in State schools, baptism of young and old is widely reported. A Mormon family, Jehovah Witness, 7th Day Adventist and Muslims were converted. Mgr. Claudio Sale, Senatus Spiritual Director urged all legionaries to recruit auxiliaries.

Northern Philippines Senatus: Manila Comitium covers 44 parishes. Affiliated to the Comitium are 9 senior Curiae, 11 senior praesidia (4 institutional) and a junior Curia with 10 praesidia. Visitation of over 3,000 families resulted in 37 marriages validations, 93 baptisms, 215 confirmations and 12 conversions. Vigan Comitium celebrated prisoner awareness month. They held a Eucharistic celebration in the prison, gave a talk on the ‘Year of Faith’ and the life of St. Pedro, the newly canonised Filipino saint.

Antipolo Regia has 5,172 actives members, 4 senior and 5 junior praesidia. 9 juniors graduated to senior ranks and 2 entered the convent/seminary. Other councils held Exploratio Dominicalis projects, Congresses and 5 holiday apostolates.

Cebu Senatus: Councils and praesidia together report hundreds of baptisms, marriage validations and catechism taught in a large number of schools. Home and hospital visitation is extensive and street contact is undertaken. 165 children were baptised, 350 school based children catechised and 27 recruited for active membership. 27 mothers were taught how to pray the Rosary and 20 helped prepare for confession. With the help of legionaries, a HIV patient abandoned by her family received the sacraments of confession, communion and anointing of the sick. She died 5 days later after that grace filled day. The encouragement of legionaries, after many visits to a sick elderly couple who had fallen from their faith was rewarded when finally they received the sacraments. Shortly afterwards the husband died and his wife was very grateful to the legionaries. A Born again Christian mother was converted and her 5 children are now baptised. 2 Protestants converted and an Aglipayan believer.

AUSTRALIA
Brisbane Comitium: The annual audit for 2012 was submitted. The Acies and a commemoration Mass was celebrated for Venerable Edel Quinn. A 14-member praesidium in Toowoomba holds well-attended Patrician meetings. Visitation will take place to praesidia in Cairns, Ayr and Gordan. Some distant praesidia are unable to attend the Comitium meetings. Works report visitation of homes, hospitals and nursing homes, teaching catechism in schools, enthronement of the Sacred Heart and Rosary and statue apostolate.

Sydney Senatus: Home visitation is the general apostolate in each parish and one area had 15 baptisms. A stall is staffed in the local shopping centre and auxiliaries recruited. Praesidia membership is small. Extension to two parishes resulted in new praesidia. Great progress has been made in East Timor. The Bishop gave the visitors a warm welcome and so far 2 new praesidia have been set up. A legionary who speaks Indonesian is being sent by the Senatus. As sects from Brazil are working in East Timor, the Bishop is very anxious to have the Legion there. Solomon Islands are being visited.

Melbourne Senatus: An extension worker has been appointed by the Senatus for the Diocese of Sandhurst and the Bishop has written to every parish priest. The number of Korean praesidia is growing and they are catered for in 2 Curiae. Flemington Comitium, mainly Vietnamese, has 14 attached praesidia and 3 Curiae. There are 2 Curia in Tasmania with 6 and 2 praesidia respectively.

Pacific Islands: The Legion in New Caledonia is very active. The priests rely on them to prepare people for the sacraments as some parishes have no residential priests. The Senatus visit the islands every 6 months. A visit was made to Majuro in the Marshall Islands where there is a Curia with 3 praesidia.

NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus: An officers’ training day was held in April. A pilgrimage to Totara Point, Motuti where the First Mass was celebrated in NZ by Bishop Pompallier and where he is buried had an attendance of 200 both senior and junior legionaries. Through home visitation a lapsed family with 5 children returned to the Church and are all now preparing for the sacraments of reconciliation and confirmation. All praesidia in parishes are very involved with training altar servers, funeral teams, children’s liturgy and the choir. Wellington Comitium was visited by the Senatus. All 4 officers were encouraged to take responsibility for their own office and not be depending on one person. A praesidium with 7 members run the sacramental programme and prepared 17 young Maori boys for baptism. 60 children are being taught catechism after Sunday Mass in 5 classes. The Samoan Curia has 10 senior and 2 junior praesidia.
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AFRICA

GHANA
Accra Senatus and a number of attached councils continue to organise monthly Frank Duff beatification prayer sessions. A man who tried to attack legionaries who were on Legion work was later contacted and attended Mass and is now attending Catechism classes. A praesidium reported that a recently released Liberian prisoner asked to become a Catholic; he said that only Catholics visited him during his 7 years in Prison.
Kumasi Regia instructed 459 catechumens and 708 children attend Sunday school organised by the legionaries in the various parishes. 165 of the contacts encountered on home/hostel visitation undertook catechism instruction. 156 attended a New Year retreat organised by the Regia. The Regia organised ‘Legion week’ with the theme “The New Evangelisation: the Priests and Laity “and had an average daily attendance of 113.

ANGOLA
Benguela Senatus: The Bishop Emeritus of Benguela, Dom Oscar Braga, attended the March and April Senatus meetings. Officers of several distant councils attended also. In April a Curia was divided; the new Curia has 12 praesidia. More than 3,000 legionaries took part in a pilgrimage for the Year of Faith. Six priests were available for Confession, in an email the Senatus President says that the Legion in their area, including the area of their attached Regiae is very vibrant, with bishops, priests, religious and catechists giving great encouragement to the legionaries. The Senatus is considering holding a Congress. He said the young people continue to stick with the Legion and the Lubango Regia set up a Junior Comitium in May.

Luanda Regia: Flávio António da Silva and Alessandro Pereira de Carvalho, from the Recife Senatus, Brazil, made a visit of almost three weeks from 19 June to 9 July to the Luanda Regia area and were very pleased with the quality and extent of the Legion there. An attached Curia reported on visitation of more than 3,000 people at home; visits to over 5,000 sick people in hospital and 200 sick people at home. Holy Communion was brought to some sick people at home.

MOZAMBIQUE
Maputo Regia: The minutes show reports presented by a number of Curiae but there are no details shown. It is also mentioned that some Curiae were visited by other Curiae. The Regia made some visits also and set up a new Curia.

Quelimane: In May an email was received saying that the Curia of Coalane is the new Comitium from 14 April this year. The Comitium was presented to the Bishop, who is expected to appoint a new Spiritual Director. The correspondent asked for some details of officers and of praesidia and councils as the approval of the Concilium is required. During the Concilium visit in 2011, the Curia of Coalane was suggested as a Comitium to replace the existing Comitium, which was not being run on correct lines, although the Legion had grown very considerably in the Diocese of Quelimane, mainly due to the work of one very dynamic person and some others.

CABO VERDE
Cabo Verde Regia: Report from this Regia includes Guinea Bissau on mainland Africa. Attendance at Regia meetings is 80% and active membership continues high in spite of loss of membership through large scale, emigration, illness etc with almost 8000 active members of a population of half a million. Among results reported were the prevention of 7 abortions and 3 suicides, help to the parish priest to set up a parish council, the conversion of many prisoners, 52 reconciliations among neighbours. A special effort is made to recruit children for catechesis with over 4,000 registered this year.

LESOTHO
Average attendances have been 20% for council officers and 39% for praesidium officers. Mother of the Church Comitium reported eleven auxiliaries attended a meeting organised for them.

ZIMBABWE
Hwange Comitium: The bishop gave the Comitium permission to meet again and he attended the first meeting. After a long silence minutes have been received from Kadoma Curia. A new Curia “Mary Queen of Peace” was established at St Martin’s parish near Mutare, contact has been established with one of the legionaries there.

SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg Senatus: Plans are underway for celebrating 80 years of the Legion in Johannesburg on 12th October. Home, hospital and hospice visitation is undertaken. In certain areas home visitation is a major problem because of safety. 40 new members are entering the Catholic Church due to the prayers and recruitment of legionaries. Extension efforts resulted in setting up a new praesidium. A legionary is studying for the Priesthood and another member is entering a convent. Problems: A large number of praesidia officers do not attend the Senatus meeting and some attached Curiae fail to send in their reports on time.

Cape Town Senatus: A very successful day retreat was organised for the Senatus praesidia. Visitation of attached praesidia is undertaken on a regular basis. Two new praesidia have been established and permission is being sought to set up more praesidia in Cape Town. The Senatus is working hard to build the Legion and the spirit of the Legion in Cape Town. Esigodeni Comitium: There are 15 Curiae attached to the Comitium but there is no mention of any praesidia reports being taken at the Comitium meeting.

EGYPT
Prayers are asked for the legionaries in Egypt at this difficult time in their country.

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