Concilium Bulletin July 2015

IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT

COMITIA
Dromore Comitium: Mayobridge praesidium has 6 members. Works include visitation with a Statue of Our Lady to homes on a weekly basis. They organised a Retreat in the Benedictine Monastery of the Holy Cross. The Angel of Fatima leaflet was given to each child making their First Holy Communion in a local school. Members of each praesidium attended a Mass celebrating the life of Venerable Edel Quinn in their Parish Churches. A Grammer School in Newry was visited; a Rosary Beads, Miraculous Medal and leaflets for the three Causes were given to each child. The teachers were given a DVD on the Miraculous Medal for use in class.

Navan Comitium: A praesidium of 5 members, 2 of whom are Praetorians, visit homes and at the request of a nursing home owner conducted an hour of prayer with the residents. A praesidium with 13 members and 61 auxiliaries visited 1,500 homes and undertook Pilgrim Statue visitation to 75 homes. They visited Settled Travelers at a halting site with a Statue of Our Lady and recited the Rosary with the families. The legionaries distributed the Motorist Prayer in car parks. Recently they set up a Facebook page for Navan Legion of Mary. A May Procession was organised through Navan town and was well attended. Mullingar Curia: During Lent members of a praesidium of 5 visited homes in the parish accompanied by one of their local priests who was impressed with the work. Members of a praesidium of 11 in Tullamore promote Eucharistic Adoration in parish schools. They also foster the Alfie Lambe Cause and look after Alfie Lambe House.

Derry Comitium: Creggan praesidium members do home visitation. Following a request from teachers in a local school, the Rosary is recited in the school when the children are making their First Confession. The works of another praesidium include home visitation, Rosaries recited in schools and Pilgrim Statue home visitation. A Child Protection training session took place in Strabane on 21st May. 20 members from the Comitium and 20 from Mater Dei Curia attended. Mater Dei Curia: The main works are visiting nursing homes and hospitals.

Raphoe Comitium: The work of one praesidium includes instruction of children for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Each year religious packs containing a Miraculous Medal and explanatory leaflet, plus prayers for the three Causes are distributed to children throughout the schools. The members of another praesidium visit the housebound and those living alone. The Irish-speaking praesidium in Cnoc Fola is getting a Pilgrim Statue to take to homes. The Parish Priest attends all their meetings. South West Raphoe Curia: Works of the two reporting praesidia include nursing home and hospital visitation, plus organising Eucharistic Adoration and a Holy Hour each Sunday.

CURIAE
Leitrim Curia: Granard praesidium has 5 members and 10 auxiliaries. On Good Friday they held Stations of the Cross through the town. They also organised a Corpus Christi Procession. The Slovakian praesidium in Longford has 11 members. Their work mainly consists of home visits to Slovakian families, making Rosary Beads and delivering Catholic newspapers. For the monthly Slovakian Mass they prepare Catholic hymns and Mass leaflets in Slovakian. Confessions were organised and 40 attended the Sacrament. A three- year old Czech girl was baptised in March. Another praesidium in Longford has 13 members, 5 of whom are Praetorians; they have 50 auxiliaries. Works include home and hospital visitation and running a Patrician group. They visit a Secondary School on occasions and pray the Rosary with 20 to 30 senior girls. They have a junior praesidium attached. They help to make Rosary Beads, 1,000 of which were given to a visiting priest from Granada.

West Clogher Curia: Dromore praesidium members visited homes with the Statue of Our Lady during May and June. Irvinestown praesidium has 7 members and 4 members are Praetorians. They visit a number of nursing homes and run a religious book shop each day after Mass. In May students from two local schools recited the Rosary on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Mondays in October. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Miraculous Medals were blessed at Mass and distributed afterwards in the parish.

Kilmore Curia: There was a good attendance at the Acies in Cavan on 26th March.

Clonmacnoise Curia: There are 3 praesidia attached. On home visitation the Pilgrim Statue is well received.

Down Curia: This council has 8 praesidia. Castlewellan praesidium has 7 members, 4 of whom are Praetorians; they have 129 auxiliaries and 2 Adjutorians. Homes are visited with a Fatima Statue and to date Enthronement of the Sacred Heart has been carried out in 60 homes. Schools were visited and DVD’s on Fatima and the Miraculous Medal were shown to the pupils. The Curia annual Retreat was attended by 21 members. An Annual Mass to commemorate Venerable Edel Quinn was held in Killough in May.

North and Mid Antrim Curia: This Curia has 9 Senior and 1 junior praesidia. Portstewart praesidium has 8 members and 140 auxiliaries. Two Fatima Statues are circulated with visits carried out on a street to street basis. A junior praesidium is attached. Primary School children were given packs of Rosary Beads and Miraculous Medals. Legionaries in Cloughmills praesidium visit homes; some parishioners are taken to Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

Armagh Curia: This council has three attached praesidia.

Drogheda Curia: A praesidium which meets in Mellifont Abbey gave their first report. They have 7 members and do a variety of works. Ballsgrove praesidium has 6 members. Recruiting drives took place in Tenure and at Scotch Hall Shopping Centre. The Spiritual Director of the Curia and Vice President took part in the Maria et Patria Project in Limerick. A Mass was celebrated with True Devotion Consecration on 25th March following a period of preparation. The Curia Retreat was very well attended.

Dundalk Curia: The Curia had three representatives at Women’s World Day of Prayer in St. Nicholas Church of Ireland Church in March. Kilsaran praesidium has 9 members. On 30th May they celebrated their 80th anniversary. Sr. Roe, who has been a member since 1942 was recently presented with a Bene Merenti medal for her contribution to all facets of parish life, including her Legion work.

DUBLIN NORTHSIDE

The results of a census in March show that there are 914 senior legionaries in the Archdiocese of Dublin in 146 praesidia. Since the last census in November 2013, 178 legionaries, some because of ill-health and others for age-related reasons were unable to continue membership. 137 new members joined.

Consolata Curia: One praesidium has a junior praesidium attached. The annual Children’s Project in August includes games, hymns, adoration and a short talk by the Parish Priest; 15 children attended in 2014. The praesidium organised a candlelight Rosary Procession on 14th October in which the choir and 9 altar servers took part; it was followed by Mass and the blessing of the Pilgrim Statue used by the legionaries during the year. The legionaries provide refreshments for the Polish community after their monthly Mass. The main work of another praesidium with 5 full members, 1 probationer and 43 auxiliaries is home visitation using 3 Fatima Statues. Four legionaries and two priests took part in Parish Outreach to homes. 110 pupils of the Confirmation classes in two schools were shown the Miraculous Medal DVD and given a religious pack.

Presentata Curia: A praesidium with 9 members gained one new member recently. The main work is a weekly social for residents of hostels in the vicinity of Presentata House; up to 25 residents enjoy song and dance intermingled with prayer and hymns. This year Pilgrim Statue visitation has commenced; a lady whose son began treatment for his drug addiction thought this development to be miraculous and requested the Pilgrim Statue for a second week. Other works include care of the garden at Presentata House and occasional visitation of the new Phoenix Hospital. The Morning Star hostel praesidium has 18 full and 3 probationary members; 3 members took the promise during the year; four members transferred to start a new praesidium in a nearby Parish. As well as the temporal care given by legionaries, residents are encouraged to seek help with their addictions; two residents moved to Detox Centres during the year. The praesidium also help residents with their spiritual lives; 3 attended Confession on Divine Mercy Sunday after many years away and confided that a great weight had been lifted off them. With the help of sponsorship, 3 men travelled to Our Lady’s Shrine in Medugorje and 4 to Knock Shrine. A new fundraising Committee has helped with the latest phase of refurbishment bringing the capacity of the hostel to 68 residents. The praesidium also does home visitation and street contact in Dublin’s city centre.

Exaltata Curia: Four members of a praesidium with 7 active members and one probationer visit St. Mary’s Hospital every week; at the request of the hospital authorities they distribute Holy Communion; this is in addition to their usual Legion duties. Two pairs do home visitation most weeks. They also visit the homes of children receiving the Sacraments, which has resulted in improved attendance and participation in Sunday Mass. Four members went on an Exploratio Dominicalis project, where the Parish Priest was very welcoming.

Bethlehem Curia: Nine people attended the Frank Duff Prayer Meeting. A praesidium of 10 active members gained two during the year. Circus visitation resulted in a Mass in the Big Top attended by people of various religions. Every week members of the Latino Community are visited in an attempt to protect them from the sects. Many Latino families were helped to prepare for the Sacraments, including a mother and child who were baptised together. The monthly Patrician meeting has an average attendance of 12. Staff and residents in two Hostels for the Homeless are contacted; most residents are addicts of some description; they readily accept sacramentals such as Miraculous Medals. One man who admitted being involved in breaking into a Church was brought to meet a priest and later went to Confession. Home visitation and street contact are the regularly done. During the latter, a person from Pakistan asked for information on the Catholic Church. Another praesidium visits homes and businesses in its Parish; tasks are carried out for a wheelchair-bound lady and it was arranged that she go to Lourdes with the Diocesan Pilgrimage. Miraculous Medals were distributed and explained to children and teachers in 5 classes in a school. Up to 24 people have attended their quarterly Venerable Edel Quinn Promoter’s meeting.

Porta Coeli Curia: A praesidium of 6 members meeting in a Retirement Home has an apostolate to residents there. Two wheelchair-bound nuns are accompanied to pray at Our Lady’s Grotto in the grounds. Home visitation is done in a neighbouring parish, with two Pilgrim Statues in circulation. Two members are Praetorians and they have 8 Adjutorians.

Veneranda Curia: The five Evangelii Gaudium talks in May were considered very successful. One praesidium helps in the Parish Church Bookshop, which is open daily. A person contacted returned to the Sacraments. Home visitation is done by two legionaries each week. Up to 21 residents of a nursing home participate in the weekly Rosary and social evening organised by legionaries. During a school visit, Rosary Beads and religious leaflets were given to the First Holy Communion children.
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SOUTH AMERICA

COLOMBIA
Bogota Senatus: An attached Regia with 4,000 members has 192 between the ages of 18 and 40; this Regia set up 7 new praesidia. All reports indicate good auxiliary membership. Some councils have intensified promotion of the Frank Duff Cause. As agreed at Concilium, the Senatus is raising the Comitium of Villavicencio to Regia status, and is guiding the officers with administration, particularly the appointment of correspondents for distant councils.

Medellin Senatus: Two attached Comitia reported prison visitation and prisoners returning to Confession after being lapsed for many years. A number of legionaries are trained catechists and prepare children for the Sacraments. Parents and godparents are prepared for Baptism ceremonies. A public Rosary at a Grotto of Our Lady organised by legionaries has a large attendance each year during the months of May and October. Work with drug addicts is mentioned. The priest in charge of Lay Movements in the Archdiocese of Medellín has asked for a quarterly report of the Legion’s apostolates.

ECUADOR
Senatus of Quito: Legionaries worked with Radio Maria to prepare for Pope Francis’ visit. The Comitium of Loja report 4 new praesidia. At the Bishop’s request, legionaries in Riobamba help to serve a monthly lunch for indigenous people. Children are taken to 40 Hour Adoration in Milagro.

URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo: There are 1,061 active legionaries in Uruguay in 143 praesidia. The Senatus extends warm thanks to Sr. Joan Barry for her help and guidance during her time as correspondent. A new praesidium in a small town means the Legion now exists in all 10 Dioceses in Uruguay; the legionaries helping out this new praesidium travel a round-journey of 4 hours. The Senatus Spiritual Director helped to set up a praesidium in his new parish. A Youth Conference was held in February in the National Sacred Heart Sanctuary resulting in 3 new praesidia, 2 made up of young adults. A new book on Alfie Lambe containing previously unpublished testimonies and documentation is ready for publishing.

VENEZUELA
Senatus of Caracas:. The Senatus’ Extension Committee reports 5 new senior praesidia and 2 junior praesidia in formation. In Punto Fijo, a Extension Drive during Holy Week resulted in 4 new praesidia. The Curia in Maturin also report extension with 2 new senior praesidia and 1 new junior praesidium. Reported conversions include that of a Jehovah Witness, a Mormon family and another family away from the Sacraments for 20 years.

CHILE
Senatus of Santiago: Attendance at councils meetings is very good, even in councils where officers have to travel long distances. The Senatus encourages the delegating of responsibilities in order to train future officers. Weak praesidia are given a “loan” of two experienced legionaries to help them get back on their feet. A feature of the Senatus is its Family Prayer meeting whereby each month legionaries pray in the home of a fellow legionary and get to know other family members. The aim is to encourage them to understand the Legion and eventually join the ranks.

BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz: Bolivian legionaries saw the visit of Pope Frances as a great opportunity to encourage all, especially those who have left their Catholic faith. Many praesidia have the privilege to accompany the priest on home visitation. Some missionaries do not speak the native language and use the legionaries as interpreters. Sister Susana Maciel, an Argentinean legionary, who was formerly a Concilium extension worker in Bolivia, has been invited to do extension work by Bolivian legionaries she worked with a few years ago.

PERU
Senatus of Lima: Attached councils are actively extending. As well as reports of new praesidia being set up, two Curiae have divided, each having more than 20 praesidia. There are a large number of Patrician meetings in the Senatus area. One attached Comitium reported 9 Patrician groups. An attached Curia holds periodic Auxiliary Rallies, at which, in addition to prayers and refreshments, a talk by a professional is given on care and nutrition. In a Juvenile Correction Centre scripture study is facilitated by legionaries.

PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asunción: This Council is made up of 6 Comitia (two juvenile), 30 Curiae and 19 praesidia. Filling of officerships is treated with urgency, resulting in few vacant posts. One Comitium with over 5,000 active members and 6,000 auxiliaries has 4 Patrician groups and 96 Legion groups of very young legionaries. Exploratio Dominicalis is encouraged and regular visitation of praesidia is undertaken, also the visitation of auxiliaries. Councils in urban areas conduct street apostolate, with emphasis on helping people suffering from drug and alcohol addictions. Catechesis is widely undertaken for people of all ages. A Comitium with 9 senior praesidia, 11 senior and 3 junior Curiae has 900 active senior and 141 juvenile members, plus 861 auxiliaries. Works include visitation of homes, Sanatoriums, general hospitals and prisons. In the latter prisoners are instructed in the faith. Some prisons have more than one praesidium and the members carry out an apostolate to their fellow detainees.

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ASIA

AUSTRALIA
Sydney Senatus:.Contacting non-Catholics resulted in 13 joining a catechism class and 6 were baptised. 38 Catholics were encouraged to return to the Church. Crowd contact is carried out in the Parks, train and bus stations. Book barrow apostolate outside the Church had many good contacts. Mass times leaflets are distributed to Hotels and B/B’s.
Solomon Islands Comitium: This council has 3 Curia and 8 praesidia attached. Works include the circulation of the Pilgrim Statue, visiting and encouraging unmarried couples to marry and visitation of the prisons.

Melbourne Senatus: Comitia reporting from the Pacific Islands of Kiribati, New Caledonia and Vanuatu have from 2 to 10 attached Curiae. It is not yet known how the Legion has survived the cyclone which hit Vanuatu some months ago. Congresses have been held in 2 areas in Kiribati with goods attendances. The 80thAnniversary of the Legion in Tasmania was celebrated with a Mass led by Archbishop Porteous. Five members of Preston Curia gave an all-day presentation to 500 pupils promoting Devotion to Mary and teaching the Rosary. A legionary from Flemington Comitium, which has many Vietnamese praesidia has entered a Seminary.
Brisbane Comitium: This council has 54 members in 14 praeidia. Distribution of Holy Communion in nursing homes and teaching Religious Education in schools is among the works reported. Three Muslims and two Indians wish to know more about the Catholic faith. The Korean Curia gave its 9th.Annual Report. The Curia has 45 members in 9 praesidia. Contact is made with non-Catholics and the lapsed.

AUCKLAND
New Zealand Senatus: The Legion operated a stand at the Eucharistic Convention. 40 junior legionaries attended a week-end Silent Retreat. 180 legionaries of all ages attended the 25th.year of Pilgrimage to Motuti. Fr. Leo Doyle, former Spiritual Director of the Senatus celebrated the 60th.anniversary of his priesthood. A praesidium of 10 members presented its 6th.annual report. Teaching the Sacramental Programme to 14 to 17 year old Maori students resulted in 17 receiving Baptism. Confirmation and Holy Communion Masses were celebrated by Bishop Patrick Dunn. 100 received Confession. The month of August is dedicated specifically to recruiting and extension.

PHILIPPINES
Cebu Senatus: In the junior Curia legionaries brought 30 children to Confession. One Regia brought 120 to Mass. 165 children and adults received Baptism. 49 prisoners were visited. Home and hospital visitation is carried out. Marriage validations and teaching catechism is reported.

Bicolandia Senatus: Block Rosaries were undertaken to 154 households. Catechism was taught to 600 Elementary and 760 Secondary Students. Parents of the 1st Communion children were taught catechism.

Senatus of Northern Philippines: Makati Comitium reported Exploratio Dominicalis and two Extension Projects. Home visitations resulted in many Baptisms and Confirmations, lapsed returning to the Sacraments and conversions. Apostolates to bar-workers, alcoholics, drug addicts, prisoners and crowd contact were reported. In one Comitium area the journey to the Senatus meeting takes 12 hours by bus. Promotion of the Causes is on-going. An appeal was made to each President to promote the sale of the Maria Legionis.

Western Visayas Senatus: 10 Comitia reported many adults and children prepared for Baptism, marriage validations, prisoners inspired by the legionaries to attend Mass and recite the Rosary. A Morman became a Catholic and received the Sacraments before he died. A Jehovah Witness family was converted to the Catholic faith and a couple living together for 25 years held their marriage in a Catholic Church. A convert became a legionary. Exploratio Dominicalis reported 5 conversions and a Comitium gained 15 new members.

Mindanao Senatus:.It was noted that the Curiae with the best attendance were particularly successful in gaining conversions to the Catholic Church. A praesidium reported 13 marriage validations and another praesidum brought 3 Seven Day Adventist couples into the Church. A Curia with 9 praesidia has 82 members and 52 are Praetorians.

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AFRICA
GHANA
Accra Senatus .Following Street rescue work, one of the ladies quit the streets. She attended weekly Adult Catechism classes at the Parish, received her First Holy Communion on Christmas Day and is now an active legionary. An Edel Quinn function was held at the St. Paul’s Major Seminary, Sowutuom. A very good talk was given on the theme, “Legionary Commitment in the Era of New Evangelisation – The Example of Edel Quinn.” A three day project was undertaken at Adarkwa – Jachie by Legionaries from Kumasi Regia. The project led to the establishment of a new Church there with 28 new members. The membership of the Church has since increased to 40.

EGYPT
The Senatus of Egypt: A general three- day Conference for junior legionaries from the different councils of Egypt is being organised by Egypt Senatus in Cairo, the Conference titled: “Bringing Mary to the World” will be opened by his Beatitude, the Coptic Catholic Patriarch, Ibrahim Ishak.
Lesotho Senatus: One Comitium reported 8 young mothers given baptismal instruction before having their babies baptised. A new praesidium was set up in Lesotho College of Education and 14 members took their Promise in May.

GUINEA BISSAU
Guinea Bissau: A Comitium on the African mainland has 8 attached Curiae and reports constant efforts to strengthen many weak praesidia. The founding of the Legion in Guinea Bissau was celebrated with special celebration of the Eucharist and festivities beneath the fruit trees.
Cape Verde Regia: All attached councils are now presenting reports every three months where previously they were presented annually. May minutes report the setting up of a Comitium and two Curiae. Part of the Exploratio apostolate is to encourage Catholics, young and old to get actively involved in the parish. A praesidium of 20 members with 10 Praetorians on Sal Island reports the Baptism of 9 youths and Confirmation of 80 people. On the most distant island, Santo Antao 180 members took part in the Acies, which began with the celebration of the Eucharist. The Comitium of Sao Domingo’s, one of several on the main island has 500 members with 200 Praetorians. The Regia has invited two Portuguese-speaking legionaries from Ireland to take part in Peregrinatio pro Cristo in the first week of September.

ANGOLA
Luanda Senatus: The Senatus sent visitors to the Island of Sao Tome Principe in January and they set up 3 new praesidia. A correspondent has been appointed. Two Senatus correspondents organised a Programme of Formation in the Diocese of Uige and 96 legionaries attended. 115 legionaries took part in a week-end Evangelisation Project organised by a Comitium in Luanda.

Benguela Senatus: The council is very happy with the new Regia for Namibe. As a follow up to the National Congress of the Legion of Mary in Angola, in September 2014, the Senatus organised a Conference for officers of attached councils in Namibe in May this year. This involved a week of study of the Legion Handbook. Also in May, the 3rd Conference of Young Legionaries was held in Luanda in conjunction with the Luanda Senatus.

MOZAMBIQUE
Maputo Regia: A Religious Sister, who was helping the Legion in Beira, but who now has been transferred to the south of the country, kindly replied to an email. She says the Legion is working well in Beira. She is still in contact with some of the legionaries there and reported that the Spiritual Director, Fr. Bernardo, who was disabled, following an accident, and did wonderful work for the Legion in Beira, died on 15th May this year, R.I.P. A legionary in Quelimane, who helped to restore the Legion there, also replied to an e-mail saying the Legion is working very well also in Quelimane.

SOUTH AFRICA
Johannesburg Senatus: Home, hospital and prison visitation is undertaken and many people have returned to the Sacraments, some after a long absence. Four parishes in one area want to start the Legion. A praesidium in Soweto is arranging two Recruiting Drives.
Cape Town Senatus: New officers have been elected and they are working very hard to improve attendance at the Senatus meeting. Visitation of attached praesidia and councils is being undertaken. It is hoped that a new Comitium and a Curia will be established in the next few months.
Esigodeni Comitium: Works undertaken include home, hospital, hospice and prison visitation. They organised a public Rosary in May. Matatiele Curia has resumed correspondence.
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