Concilium Bulletin July 2026
REPORTS
SOUTH AMERICA B
Senatus of Bogota:
5 regia, 7 comitiae, 3 curiae and 4 praesidia reported. The senatus has encouraged training in the Columban Drive method of extension and many drives have been carried out. They also encourage each council to have an extension committee. Works include rosaries in apartment blocks, police stations, and parks; visitation of prisons, homes, nursing homes, hospitals and rehab centres, Sacred Heart Enthronements, homework clubs, contact in shopping centres and taxi ranks. Parents of catechism children are recruited as auxiliary members. A regia is developing a website and social media content to appeal to youngsters.
Senatus of Medellín:
A common work is pilgrim statue visitation during which the rosary is taught. A curia brings the statue to an area where migrants are housed; De Montfort priests accompany the legionaries. In the Cauca region legionaries were detained for a few hours by guerrilla fighters until it could be confirmed that they were not a threat. A regia and a comitium are working with youngsters and hope to set up junior praesidia. Prison visitation also features.
PERU
Senatus of Lima
9 comitia, 11 curiae and 4 praesidia reported. They report more than 500 probationers, 6 senior and 1 junior praesidia in formation and 5 in recuperation. They visit three prisons where there are a cumulative 29 auxiliary members. They report setting up a praesidium in a drugs and alcohol rehab centre. They visit 4 police stations and read the Gospel of the day to officers going on duty. Many praesidia run Frank Duff prayer groups. A protestant family converted to the catholic faith. The correspondent reports excellent allocutios by the spiritual director; she plans to speak with him to encourage priests to attend praesidium and council meetings.
URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo:
4 praesidia reported. The Acies was celebrated 21st March with a good attendance of active and auxiliary members. There are two praesidia in formation after extension efforts. The new senatus officers are getting on well; however, the correspondent has raised the issue of poor minutes with the president. They organized a virtual discussion on the Wisdom Cross, a large wooden cross designed by Saint Louis de Montfort in 1701 inscribed with his famous teachings on accepting suffering and following Christ.
BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz:
The comitium of Potosí is made up of a curia in Sucre, 5 senior and 2 junior praesidia. The curia of Sucre has young adult legionaries. Special attention is given to street contact in city plazas and barrios where the legionaries live. Legionaries make contacts before and after processions to local shrines in areas where there is no parish or priest. Because of distance and cost of travel, visits to distant councils are a problem. Great importance is given to the annual Mass for Alfie Lambe who started the first praesidium in Bolivia.
CHILE
Senatus of Santiago:
The senatus is distributing invitation leaflets to its first young adult conference, which is based on the Deus et Patria conferences. Many legionaries are having problems attending their weekly praesidium due to difficult employment hours. They use the twin praesidium system of two praesidia in a parish with different day and time of meeting to suit those working irregular hours. A praesidium with mostly Venezuelan immigrant legionaries has 14 members and makes contact with students in the Catholic University of Santiago. Celebrations were held to mark the 75th anniversary of the first praesidium in Chile set up by the envoy Joaquina Lucas. A video was made by the Concilium correspondent and shown at the celebrations. It contained congratulations and a list of suggestions to help increase legionary spiritual life and new works to reach out to all souls.
PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asuncion:
The regia of Ciudad del Este, founded 9 years ago in the east of Paraguay, consists of 5 comitia, 13 curiae and 8 praesidia. Two of the 5 comitia are junior, comprising 1091 juniors in 140 junior praesidia. There 81 praetorians and 111 adjutorians. They reactivated a curia in Salto del Guairá, and a praesidium in the Cathedral of Ciudad del Este. Works include visits to every home, to the men's prison and to the women's prison where there is a praesidium of 12 members and a Confraternity of the Holy Rosary of which prison guards are members. A praesidium in Asuncion carried out the catechesis of a 20-year-old young soldier who was later baptized in his military uniform. A comitium of 4 senior and 1 junior curiae, founded 10 senior and 1 junior praesidia. They visit all curiae and praesidia before each report. Works include visits to the sick accompanied by the priest, helping in soup kitchens, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, street contact and apostolate in the parish. A praesidium in Asuncion with 10 active members offers catechesis for adults and marriage preparation for couples. Two sisters are preparing the parents of six unbaptized children.
VENEZUELZA
Senatus of Caracas:
A very short email was sent by the president soon after the earthquake indicating dreadful problems. Communication within the country is seriously curtailed and we won’t know all the facts for some time but thankfully, so far, there are no reports of legionaries dead or seriously injured,
EQUADOR
Senatus of Quito:
Minutes are up to date. Correspondence does not indicate much progress. Visitation of the sick and housebound is widespread but there doesn’t appear to be much home visitation or street contact. It is hoped that the senatus will have a visit from Concilium in November.
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ASIA C
PHILIPPINES
Bicolandia Senatus
In the January and February minutes a praesidium reported with 11 full members and have a major apostolate in the jail with a monthly prayer meeting, taking part in the Easter celebrations and Mass preparation. They prepare couples for marriage, encourage early baptism and are trying to extend into a mission area. The comitium reported with 430 active members and 53 juniors. 4 curiae. They campaign for Mass attendance, early baptism, assist sick to confess to receive Holy Communion
Cebu Senatus
7 praesidia, 22 curiae, 10 comitia and 4 regia are attached. Regia Maasin has 5,194 full members, 310 on probation, 1,849 juniors and 8,174 auxiliaries. This council covers 50 parishes, 15 comitia, 6 curia and 8 senior and 2 junior praesidia. A non-Catholic who converted became a legionary as did 2 siblings who became auxiliaries. Catechism is taught to school children. 7 comitia and 4 curiae reported with 1,160 seniors and 578 juniors. 2 men convinced to receive Confession after an absence of 30 and 40 years. Home visitation and jail apostolate is carried out.
Mindanao Senatus
Most reports feature home, hospital and prison visitation, block rosaries, statue visitation and preparation of both adults and children for the sacraments. Mediatrix of all Graces Comitium has 2 attached curiae and 14 praesidia. 315 people prepared for the sacraments. 10 inmates visited. Queen of all Saints Comitium has 2 senior and 1 junior curiae with 3 praesidia. Following 2 successful Exploratio Dominicalis projects, 2 inactive praesidia were revived and one of which has 8 full and 4 probationary members. A curia teachs catechism to hundreds of school children.
Northern Philippines Senatus
Metro Manila which consists of 2 comitia has the Legion in 48 of 53 parishes. Joint Advent recollection held with 270 attending, 3 new senior praesidia established, recruited 68 new members and have 176 on probation. Catechesis leads children and adults to the sacraments and extensive prison apostolate is carried out. A new junior praesidium was established from the children’s club members. Regia of Malolos covers 97 out of 121 parishes. 8 comitia, 53 senior and 34 junior curiae and 145 Patrician units.
Western Visayas Senatus
This period covers extensive evangelisation, sacramental preparation, family visitation, prison and hospital ministry, youth formation and establishing new praesidia. 1,200 home visitations in Leon Comitium, 811 in Regia Negros Occidental and across all councils. Catechism taught to 1,500 students in the San Miguel Curia as well as over 1,300 children in Sara Comitium and Our Lady of Fatima Curia. Over 100 marriage validations recorded in 3 areas. A Muslim family converted, estranged families were reconciled and dormant praesidia revived. A parish praesidia conducted catechism on air through a local radio station.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Madang Senatus
Attached 1 regia, 10 comitia, 5 curia, 13 directly attached senior and 8 junior praesidia. The correspondent has been active in regular support in her letters to offer formation, improvement in the details in the minutes, and regular attendance of officers. 25 children were prepared for baptism. A visually impaired man is visited and the Rosary is prayed with him. 21 brought to visit the Blessed Sacrament. Frank Duff prayer leaflet is promoted. A second praesidium is being set up in the Divine Word University.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus
Apia Comitium in Samoa with 4 curiae and 18 praesidia did not give details of active work. The other 2 comitia did not report. A visit is planned for the new year. Curia in Tonga has 4 praesidia with 25 active members. Our Lady’s statue rotation in village homes is conducted as well as visits to the sick and elderly taking Holy Communion to them. Catechism is taught and they lead the Rosary and prayers at funerals. Korean Comitium in Auckland has 14 senior praesidia and 2 curiae with 7 praesidia each. Works include visits to housebound, auxiliary members, inviting people to Mass, Confession, transport of elderly to Mass, conducting house and school Rosaries. The senatus organised an Exploratio Dominicalis in June, an officers’ training day for Wellington and a youth day for July.
AUSTRALIA
Melbourne Senatus
17 took part in an PPC to Howlong which included 4 from Sydney Senatus. Senior and junior retreats were held. Some people attending the Frank Duff prayer meeting became auxiliaries. Noumea Comitium in New Caledonia has 8 curiae on the mainland and 1 curia in Wallis Island which also has a junior praesidium. They have 9 praesidia in outlying islands. They teach catechism in the tribes and villages. Hobart Curia in Tasmania has 4 praesidia of 27 members. Retreat, Acies and Frank Duff prayer groups held. Most work is parish based and the rosary was taught to 560 children in 3 classes. Bikenibeu Comitium in Kiribati has 64 praesidia, 317 senior and 300 juniors. Visits to disabled, mental patients, elderly and sick and the rosary is prayed with them.
Sydney Senatus
A seminary praesidium with 5 members conducted door visitation, street contacts, distributed 600 miraculous medals and do phone evangelisation to the housebound. A comitium has 200 seniors and 100 juniors and 1,350 auxiliaries. Home to home visitation, crowd contact at railway station, shopping centre, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, Patricians, children prepared for the sacraments and religious education taught in schools. The Vietnamese curia was encouraged to start juniors.
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IRELAND PROVINCIAL
Clogher curia:
There are 11 praesidia in the curia along the border. Matters discussed included vetting in Northern Ireland, progressing the cause for beatification of Frank Duff and recruitment of new members. Priests offer strong support. Eskra has 5 active and 2 formerly active members. Works include school Rosary, visits to pupils and staff with pictures of each Mystery, church maintenance and cleaning, Legion promotion in the parishes, Mass readings and Liturgy with pictorial displays, religious crafts and Adoration rota. Pilgrimages were made to 3 shrines. Ederney has suffered the passing of 2 long serving members. Works include visits to homes, hospital and nursing homes. In Kesh, Miraculous Medals, Rosary beads and Holy Water are distributed. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and daily Rosary are well attended.
Dromore curia:
Spirits were lifted by the “Call to Arms” event held in Newry, sponsored by Concilium, attended by 13 local members and many from surrounding curiae. Officers were well pleased with the topics covered including recruiting, Legion history, Patrician meetings, journeys to faith, the use of festivals, matches etc., ideas for evangelising, junior praesidia and the African experience.
Armagh curia:
There are 10 praesidia, two junior and one intermediate. Works include giving Miraculous Medals and Rosary Beads to sacrament classes and organising a Children’s Rosary Group after Mass. Nursing home and house visitation with Holy Communion are appreciated by staff and families, resulting in 2 conversions to the Catholic Faith.
Derry Comitium:
Two new praesidia are doing well. In Ballymagroarty two meetings have been held and members have checked what help the parish priest needs. Creggan also had two meetings supported by neighbouring praesidia. Queen of Peace has 5 active members who reach out to all in the community with works such as consoling the bereaved and preparing children for the sacraments. 20 auxiliaries help with their prayers.
Leitrim/Longford curia:
After a Maria et Patria project in south Leitrim in 2026, Mohill praesidium has resumed with 3 new and 3 former members. The junior praesidium is preparing for the ‘Play and Pray’ event in Multyfarnham. The Slovak praesidium is dormant but the other 6 praesidia are active. Fore Abbey is the outing destination. Foynes Court Eucharistic Procession saw home visitation requested by the parish priest. There is daily Rosary in 3 areas and weekly visits to 4 nursing homes. The cathedral book barrow is popular. Members assist regularly with the Knock Shrine rota.
Kilmore curia:
Praesidia have 15-20 active members in Belturbet, Ballyjamesduff and Cavan town where curia meets. A good number attended the Acies on April 13. Members heard how Edel Quinn joined the Legion at 20 and devoted five evenings a week to Legion work in slum tenements, hospitals, Sancta Maria hostel and visits to homes with the Sacred Heart Statue. Kilmore try to follow her example. Sacrament classes were visited with prayer packs. Miraculous Medals and leaflets are given on the streets. Sacrament cards are left in the churches. Belturbet’s 100th meeting named their praesidium ‘Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fatima’.
Drogheda curia:
Legionaries organised the St. Joseph the Worker procession, started 50 years ago, invoking God’s protection on Drogheda, Ireland and the world concluding with Holy Mass. Almost all garda vetting is now complete. Members held a 5 hour book-barrow apostolate in a shopping centre in April. Another is planned for May. They went to Eucharistic Adoration at Knock. 33 Day Consecration is ongoing.
Navan Comitium:
Members do street contact and use public events and shopping centres for evangelising and recruiting with juniors where appropriate. They presented the Alpha course in several parishes. Visitation is made to various housing estates around Navan, Mullingar and Tullamore, to nursing homes, the elderly and housebound. They also organised a Mass for the three Legion causes with the Bishop of Meath, Most Reverend Tom Deenihan, as chief celebrant.
Clonmacnoise curia:
Mountemple praesidium distributed Miraculous Medals to sacrament classes. They visited nursing homes and elderly at home. Members organise Eucharistic Adoration. Athlone curia had a public Rosary on the Feast of the Annunciation and continue with the Rosary in 2 nursing homes. They gave Miraculous medals to Confirmation pupils. Weekday Rosary was said throughout the month of May after Mass in Coosan. Members of the junior praesidium attended the Acies and took part in a ‘Play and Pray’ event in Franciscan Abbey, Multyfarnham. They did prayer animation of the Stations of the Cross before Good Friday and had First Saturday devotion on Holy Saturday. Other activities included giving Miraculous Medals after Mass, running a games night and an Art Show with the theme: ‘Eucharist, Highway to Heaven’.
Raphoe Comitium:
Members made a presentation to Bishop Niall Coll on his inauguration. 30 attended the retreat in the Ards Retreat Centre. Works include distribution of Miraculous Medals, visiting the elderly at home, nursing homes, schools and the hospital. Members organise public Rosary especially in May and October. Killybegs members do a boat apostolate to trawlers and cruisers. Two new praesidia bring the total to 9 in one curia, the latest in Bruckless with 11 members and a spiritual director. A recent order for 2,000 Medals and literature is due to demand on the streets and at homes.
Down and Connor Comitium:
520 invites to join the Legion resulted in 10 joining. Membership of 96 continue recruiting. Preparation is underway for the Deus et Patria project which will be held during the Fleadh festival of music. 3 of 6 North Antrim praesidia visited homes and schools, the elderly, lonely and bereaved with the Fatima Statue. Rosary and distribution of Miraculous Medals and beads in sacrament classes are complete. Other works were leading Stations of the Cross, May Rosary, Cemetery Sunday and preparing for local fairs and the Knock Legion of Mary Pilgrimage.
Dundalk curia:
They have 9 members and a spiritual director assisted by a retired Dominican priest in the praesidium. They gained two new members and have 25 auxiliaries in a parish of 2,500 homes. Eucharistic Adoration, a well-stocked book-barrow in the church foyer, First Saturday devotions is carried out. The elderly are invited to Confession. Those attending Newry ‘Call to Arms found it very informative in this area.
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DUBLIN NORTHSIDE
Exaltata Curia
Curia summer outing is planned. A praesidium has visited 794 homes in the area in the past year, accompanied by Fr. Adrian Crowley, the curia spiritual director. Legionaries distribute Mass literature and Miraculous Medals. They also offer people a statue of Our Lady to keep in their homes for two weeks, to encourage family prayer. As part of a new initiative by the praesidium to promote recitation of prayer among school children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, Fr. Adrian distributed over 100 children's prayer books in the local schools. Following a recruitment drive in Church Street mentioned in the April report to Concilium, 19 contacts were followed up and two contacts subsequently attended at least one praesidium meeting. Another praesidium has an apostolate to the African community. Other works include street contact and volunteering in the Regina Coeli Hostel. One member is assisting in preparing a candidate for adult baptism. Following a recruitment drive in Huntstown, by 8 legionaries, 5 contacts were made and 2 new legionaries were recruited. Deus et Patria activities are promoted, especially the young adult conference scheduled for August 29th and details of Mary's Channel of Grace nightly zoom rosary are printed at the bottom of the curia monthly agenda.
Presentata Curia
Curia outing to Columban fathers at Dalgan Park, to visit the grave of Fr. Aidan McGrath took place in June. Extension and recruitment in Aughrim Street parish was held recently. Visitation to Mountjoy Prison has been re-established. The annual Edel Quinn Mass was organised and celebrated in St. Saviour’s Church in May. The junior praesidium with 8 full members presented its annual report. Works include visitation to care home, street contact, stringing miraculous medals, distributing Catholic newspapers and flyers for various Legion of Mary events. Their focus for the next year is to recruit new members and connect with other junior praesidia. Another praesidium with 5 full members main works are street contact in the inner city and volunteering in the Morning Star Hostel. They also organise a collection for the residents of the Regina Coeli hostel at Christmas. Their focus for the coming year is to recruit more members and to increase praetorian membership. Twelve attended the May patricians entitled ‘The Miracle of the Rosary’.
Veneranda Curia
Curia organised the annual Frank Duff commemoration in Glasnevin in June. A praesidium with 5 full members main work is street contact and home visitation. Legionaries visit the Confirmation and First Holy Communion students in the local schools in April where they distribute miraculous medals. They distribute 70 journals every quarter. Déanann praesidium Muire Máthair Dé a gcuid oibre trí mheán na Gaeilge. Members also volunteer in the Regina Coeli Hostel, where they befriend the residents, as well as carrying out administrative and cleaning duties. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the praesidium, recently, a Mass was offered, followed by a social. Curia outing to Newbridge House is in August and a bus is booked for Knock. Outreach to Ballymun is planned for July. In May members joined with Bethlehem Curia for the annual retreat
Bethlehem Curia
Annual retreat was held in May. Venerable Edel Quinn promoters meeting was held in June. Ten attended the Frank Duff prayer group in May. Curia has resumed the street apostolate in the inner city. As there were no praesidium reports at the last two curia meetings, the following two topics were discussed in detail:- “Works for the most Wretched and Dejected” and “The Holy Eucharist as a means of Conversation”
Consolata Curia
Curia monthly street contact took place in Donabate in June and in Balbriggan in July. A praesidium with 5 full members and 26 auxiliaries works include home and nursing home visitation and statue visitation to encourage family prayer. Prayer leaflets, Miraculous Medals, Rosary Beads and Holy Water are distributed. Prayers are said at St. Colmcille’s Well on his feast day. During the month of May the children’s Fatima statue is brought to the schools. The children making their Confirmation and First Holy Communion received Rosaries, Miraculous Medals and explanatory leaflets. The Legion banner is displayed in the church at the Masses for the Three Causes. The new praesidium in Lusk has been slow to take off. The monthly Frank Duff prayer meeting had an attendance of 5 legionaries and 2 parishioners. Another praesidium with 7 active members and 27 auxiliaries works include home and nursing home visitation, street and beach contact. At the weekends they bring Holy Communion to the residents and staff of the nursing home. A polish man, who is confined to a wheelchair requested that legionaries visit the Blessed Sacrament for him for one hour. Faith ’N’ Fun project for children aged 6 to 10 will run on 4 Thursdays during July and August. Titles of last two Patricians were ‘Salvation, who can be saved?’ and ‘What does ‘I am baptised’ mean for you?’ - 5 legionaries and 3 patricians attended.
Porta Coeli Curia
The night fever event held recently in Clontarf attracted about 60 people of all ages who came into the church to light a candle and say a prayer. The new praesidium in Raheny is progressing well, supported by legionaries from other praesidia. One of the probationary members is taking the minutes. A team of 3 full members and one probationer have been doing home visitation for the last few weeks.
Queen of Peace Curia
Principal works of the praesidia continue to be street contact, hostel volunteering, visitation to Cuan Mhuire and prison visitation. Attendance at praesidium and curia has improved over the spring and summer months. A praesidium recruited three new members in the past month. A new praesidium which draws its members from the Spanish Mass attendees at St. Saviour’s is now up and running with 8 probationary members, 4 of whom have taken on the duty of the 4 officerships and who look forward to being formally ratified in those officerships, once they take their promise. Works include hospital visitation, circus visitation and promotion of the weekly Spanish Mass. Curia members recently organised an Africa Day which included Mass, African food, talks and discussions.
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AFRICA A
GHANA
Senatus of Accra:
The senatus spiritual director along with the senatus officers visited Bishop Asure, who encouraged them to form new praesidia and promote the Rosary in parishes with grottos dedicated to Our Lady. Mataheko Curia have an average attendance of 17 at the Frank Duff prayer meetings. They recently held an Exploratio Dominicalis project, during which they made 235 contacts. Of these, 21 were Catholics, 4 were lapsed Catholics, 14 were Muslims, and 196 belonged to other religions. A number of attached councils are organising Legion congresses.
MOZAMBIQUE
Maputo Regia:
The regia completed its annual planning for 2026. It visited a number of attached comitia. A meeting held in Maputo was attended by 373 legionaries. Extension work is ongoing, with new praesidia being established. However, the continued lack of Legion of Mary Handbooks remains a significant challenge.
ANGOLA
Senatus of Benguela:
During the reporting period, the praesidia directly affiliated to the senatus visited sick members in their homes and in local hospitals. They prayed with the sick and their families, sharing the Word of God and bringing spiritual comfort, encouragement, and support to those in need. In November, a Holy Mass was celebrated in honour of the Servant of God Frank Duff attended by 549 legionaries and the spiritual director of the senatus. A new curia was established with 4 affiliated praesidia and 47 active legionaries, and a curia with 21 praesidia and 445 active legionaries is working towards the establishment of 4 new praesidia. The senatus continues in its effort to recruit more auxiliary members, to support the strengthening and growth of the Legion of Mary in the region. During his visit to Angola, Pope Leo specifically addressed members of the Legion of Mary on Sunday 19th April 2026 in front of the Mama Muxima Shrine.
CAPE VERDE
Cape Verde Regia:
The regia has been guiding its councils to carry out audits. Works covering the 3 Legion causes are being carried out. The praesidia report Exploratio Dominicalis projects, highlights include directing children to catechesis, contacting members of various sects, and street contact. On some islands, it has become difficult to carry out home visitation, as there are no longer residents due to emigration. A curia held its congress, and a comitium organized a retreat.
Council under the care of Cape Verde Regia
GUINEA-BISSAU
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Comitium:
A new praesidium was established during the reporting period, with 22 active members. The comitium now comprises 10 curiae and 51 praesidia. The comitium continues to carry out regular visits to its affiliated praesidia and curiae, providing guidance, support, and encouragement in their apostolic work.
SOUTH AFRICA
Senatus of Cape Town:
Minutes up to May were received. Two praesidia reported growth in membership. Activities undertaken included statue visitation, praying the Rosary in homes and at grottos, and a workshop on the Rosary for youth conducted by one praesidium. All praesidia were encouraged to promote the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes during the month of June.
Johannesburg Senatus:
February minutes have been received. The senatus continues to visit its attached councils and praesidia. Legionaries are encouraged to do extension work and recruitment for the further growth and development of the Legion of Mary. Apostolic works undertaken include home and hospital visitation and street contact.
Isogodoni Comitium:
In a recent letter they explained that they have been invited to visit the Legion of Mary in Marion Hill to help them recruit more young legionaries. Works undertaken include home and hospital visitation, visiting the sick and promoting the rosary.
Matatiele Comitium:
June minutes received. The Bizana curia presented its annual report, highlighting its various apostolic works. The members work with children by teaching them the Catechism, encouraging them to persevere in their education, and encouraging them to participate in church activities. They also encourage cohabiting couples to receive the Sacrament of Marriage and visit lapsed Catholics, encouraging them to return to the Church. They provide support to the bereaved and during May and October pray the Rosary while visiting families in their homes and at outdoor gatherings. A Rosary Rally was organised to pray for peace in South Africa. They organise Exploratio Dominicalis and provide Catechism instruction for those preparing to become Catholic. As a result of their efforts over the past 12 months, they report the following: 11 children were baptised, 12 children received First Holy Communion and 2 people who were received into the Catholic Church
ZIMBABWE
Harare Curia:
The Concilium arranged for legionaries from the Blantyre Senatus in Malawi to visit Harare to encourage and support the local legionaries. The visitation proved to be very fruitful, with both expressing that they had gained valuable insights and encouragement from the experience.
LESOTHO
Senatus of Lesotho:
Training sessions were organised for newly elected officers and for all treasurers to ensure that the Master and Apprentice system of the Legion is followed. Three struggling praesidia, one of which is brand new, are being visited by their neighbouring councils. A firm approach is being taken for continuous non-attendance at meetings, with officers being replaced. Works continue in all areas including visits to families, lapsed Catholics, patients at home and in hospital, and the elderly.
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Deus et Patria
Sr. Áine Blake reminded all to continue to invite young people to attend the Annual Youth Conference in Nazareth Hall, Legion headquarters on Saturday 29 August 2026.
Peregrinatio Pro Christo
Sr. Eileen Carey Mulvanny said that 5 project have been completed to the UK and 3 more will take place between now and September. The Annual PPC Conference will take place on 7 November 2026 from 2 to 5 p.m. in Nazareth Hall, Legion headquarters.
Recent Concilium Officers’ Elections
Concilium President
Br. Declan Lawlor was proposed by Sr. Helen Murphy and seconded by Sr. Mary Murphy.
Being the only candidate, he was elected for a second term at the June Concilium meeting.
Concillium Assistant Secretary
Sr. Síle Ní Chochláin was proposed by Br. Declan Lawlor and seconded by Sr. Lóirín O’Leary.
Being the only candidate, she was elected for a first term at the July Concilium meeting.
Prayers for both officers would be gratefully appreciated.
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Sister Maria Herdeiro Duarte Senra
R.I.P.
Sister Maria Senra was born on 9 March 1924 in the parish of Silva, Barcelos, Portugal. On 25 March 1957 she joined a praesidium in her parish, making her Legionary Promise on 22 July 1957. Soon afterwards, she was elected the first president of the new curia of Ponte de Lima.
In 1959, the new Curia Annunciata of Braga was set up and Maria was elected President. A few months later this curia was raised to Comitium. Sometime after her term of office expired, she was appointed an extension worker and in October 1968 she was appointed an Envoy of the Legion of Mary.
She worked on extension of the Legion in Portugal, travelling throughout the country setting up praesidia, until October 1979, when she was appointed to Angola for one year before being appointed as Envoy to Brazil in 1981.
Before going to Brazil, she spent some time in Cabo Verde. She finished her Envoyship in Brazil in 1988, having been an Envoy for 20 years. She returned home where she continued in her Legion membership and also helped in Extension, particularly on the Island of Madeira. At the request of the Concilium, she also spent some time in Mozambique.
Maria celebrated her 100th birthday on 9 March 2024 and died on 28 June 2026. Her cousin, His Excellency Dom Francisco Senra Coelho, Archbishop of Evora, who presided at the Mass to mark her centenary, also presided at her Funeral Mass on 30 June 2026.
Maria dedicated herself to the extension of the Legion in a great part of the world where Portuguese is spoken. Maria was a first-class legionary. The Legion of Mary is indebted to her. She met Frank Duff, several times on visits to the Concilium. She had the confidence of our Founder. The life of Maria, with her dedication and spirit of sacrifice and her devotion to Our Lady, serving Jesus in our neighbour, serves as a good example for all.
May her generous soul rest in peace.
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