Concilium Bulletin June 2011

Concilium Bulletin
June 2011

ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires Senatus: Great importance is given to the Alfie Lambe Cause all during the year. Senatus officers are making arrangements to meet with the Cardinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires to seek the appointment of a new Postulator for the Cause. A Youth Conference called Youth with Mary is organised on the same lines as the Youth Conference organised in Dublin by Deus et Patria.

Salta Senatus: An annual correspondents’ meeting is held in which experienced legionaries help new correspondents and an annual day for planning is held in which extension is high on the agenda. The Regia of Jujuy organised a Triduum for the Cause of Alfie Lambe. Non-legionaries were invited to take part.

Cordoba Senatus: An attached Comitium reported street apostolate, home visitation and leading prayers and Rosary at wakes.

Rosario Regia: A Curia with nine praesidia, which does statue visitation, has 59 statues of Our Lady. Some praesidia do house to house visitation and there are 14 prayer groups. In another Curia an Exploratio Dominicalis was carried out to a Barrio, which had never been visited before. They have 11 Marian prayer groups.

BRAZIL
Belo Horizonte Senatus: Two Bishops and thirty priests attended a Spiritual Directors’ conference organised by the Senatus. Average attendance of praesidium officers at recent Senatus meetings is 50%. A special apostolate is directed to apartment building porters. The apostolate to the sick also includes their families, nurses and doctors. In an allocutio, the Senatus Spiritual Director reminded legionaries that spiritual care can also help physical health. Catechetical work is done in rural areas that have no resident priest. In the town of Itabrito, a Rosary is arranged at 5 am. Fifty three sick people were helped back to Confession. A Christmas party was organised for street people. A Christmas Novena was held in three apartment buildings and was well attended by occupants. Poor families visited are taught how to prepare cheap nourishing food and babies are weighed. An average of 72 take part in the Street Rosary.

Fortaleza Senatus: Reports show thousands of visits to homes and to the sick at home and in hospital. Holy Communion is brought to many of the sick in their homes. The Sacred Heart has been enthroned in many homes. Visiting prisoners and teaching catechism are also undertaken.

Ponta Grossa Senatus: Reports from six Comitia showed a total of 18,700 visits to homes and contact with 43,000 people. The new Regia of Guarapuava was inaugurated on 12 February.

Recife Senatus: Extension work continues in city parishes. A praesidium has an apostolate in a hilly and poor area, which includes, besides family visitation, the weighing of 386 children. One Comitium has over 800 junior members. Legionary care of a young single mother prevented a suicide. Visitation of Evangelicals has resulted in some saying the Rosary. Legionaries evangelise on the streets and in buses and reach out to drug addicts, helping in their rehabilitation.

Rio de Janeiro Senatus: The recently established Regia in Niteroi has two new praesidia. They report the recitation of 16,000 Rosaries in homes. Prison apostolate involves visits to prisoners and bringing family members to visit them, leading in one case to a mother becoming an active legionary. The sick are bathed and given injections in the town of Volta Redonda. A new Curia was set up in the Amazonian state of Roraima. In the western Amazonian State of Acre, 140 children were prepared for First Holy Communion. In a hospital nine prayer groups function with Protestants taking part. In the Regia of Sao John de Meriti, north of Rio, the three Bishops, either former legionaries or sons of legionaries, accompany members in some of their work.

Salvador Senatus: A family suffering from Aids is cared for and a special needs person is given total care by the Legion. Many services are done for the sick. In an area of drug related violence, those bereaved through assassinations are comforted. Also the children of the poor are looked after while parents earn a living. The Rosary is recited with prisoners.

Sao Luis Senatus: April minutes report the saying of half a million Hail Mary’s. Combined statistics show 13,500 visits to homes each month. Parents and godparents receive preparation for the Baptism of their children. Bible circles and Prayer circles are organised among families.

Sao Paulo Senatus: A weekend Retreat for young legionaries had an attendance of over 100. The annual audited accounts of the Senatus were presented at the March meeting. The new Regia of Campo Grande reported 3,395 visits to families. Many visits to the sick and the elderly as well as visits to homes are shown in reports.

Brasilia Regia: A new praesidium resulted from an Exploratio Dominicalis project in which over 800 were contacted. A full family apostolate involves convincing couples of their duties to their children from Baptism to participation in parish catechism. In the State of Goias, an effort is made to reach all through visits to bars, schools, youth workshops and farms.

Europe

AUSTRIA
Senatus of Austria: The Senatus in Vienna of Klanenfurt Comitium organised a widespread consecration of the Austrian people to Jesus through Mary with the aid of 33 days preparation booklet. This booklet was translated into Korean and 50 Koreans undertook the consecration. Cardinal Schoenborn asked the Legion to encourage Eucharistic adoration in parishes. A new praesidium was started in Vienna South Curia. Hollaburn Comitium is planning the annual Kanafestival for young people in Roggendorf. Bishop Kueng will celebrate Mass in September for the 90th anniversary of the Legion organised by the Comitia in Zwettl and in Ybbs.

Countries under caretakership of Austria Senatus
Ukraine: In addition to extension in the Crimean Peninsula, Elizabeth Kriss and Leo Fuehrer visited some councils. The Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine is open to starting the Legion.

Czec Republic: The Senatus gave financial help to Olmuetz Comitium with printing of literature.

Slovakia: The Senatus and Szeliz Comitium are considering a second Comitium in the region. Trnava Curia is extending.

Moldova: The correspondent has sought more information on a planned project to Poland by Chisinau Curia.

Bulgaria: Fr. Florian, Elizabeth Ruepp and Bro Tomish a native Bulgarian visited Bulgaria and obtained permission to start the Legion there.

Belarus: Minsk Comitium: Extension efforts are continuing in the Dioceses of Grodno and Vitebsk. A new praesidium was established in Logoisk. Works undertaken by praesidia and attached councils include evangelisation at bus stations, squares, and trade centres. The baptism of three children was recorded. A praesidium of 12 members frequently visits a house for veterans where a prayer group was organised for them.

CROATIA
Zagreb Regia: Extension is ongoing resulting in some new praesidia. A praesidium of 6 members set up a new praesidium in a neighbouring parish. A new praesidium of 6 members reported the baptism of a 60-year old person. New praesidia were set up by 2 Curiae. The Comitium at Osijek reported work with youth and legionaries in Split East Curia carry out prison visitation. Some visible results include returns to the sacraments after long periods, marriage validation and anointing of the sick. Annual audits are submitted to the Regia with reports.

Countries under caretakership by Zagreb Regia
Bosnia Herzegovina: The Bishop has appointed a new Spiritual Director to Sarajevo Curia. Apostolate undertaken by legionaries resulted in 2 contacts receiving the sacraments after many years.

Slovenia: Ljubljana Curia, which has 6 praesidia, reported difficulty in getting new parishes for extension. The Regia has agreed to help. Legionaries undertake street apostolate and one person returned to the sacraments after a long time.

HUNGARY
Regia of Hungary: Four new praesidia were set up and two praesidia amalgamated. In 2010, 160 Exploratio Dominicalis projects were carried out. There were 18 conversions, 31 marriages, and 253 returns to the sacraments after a number of years. Pecs Curia visits families of young couples and encourages them to live a faithful life.

LITHUANIA
Telsiai Comitium has 10 praesidia and 2 Curiae affiliated with 176 active and 3600 auxiliary members. Efforts to start the Legion in 3 new parishes did not succeed. The attached Queen of the Family Curia undertakes visitation of families as well as hospital and nursing homes.

Kaunas Comitium: Efforts to start a new praesidium in Kaunas did not take off. A praesidium of six members has recently started. Patrician meetings are held and on home visitation people are invited to attend. Visitation of praesidia is mentioned in all minutes.

LATVIA
Permission has been given by two Parish Priests to start praesidia on the outskirts of the city. The apostolate of a praesidium of 5 members in Riga includes contacting people in homes, hospitals, streets and train stations. A Holy Hour has been started in a hospital where 8 to 10 patients are attending.

POLAND
Lublin Regia: A new Comitium of 3 Curiae was established on 5th March in Czestochowa. The Bishop has agreed to the setting up of a Curia in Radom, and in Leczna - carrying out an excellent apostolate, organising secondary schools, catechism for blind children and visiting the homeless. Twelve marriages, 13 confirmation, 2 baptisms, 63 confessions were some of the visible results. One Comitium held a Rosary Congress and a Legion Congress.

Warsaw Comitium: The Comitium is working well, keeping in touch with all its praesidia and attached Curiae, two in the Warsaw region and one in Malbork in the North. Contact is being made with other Dioceses in the North. The Curia in Wolomin has strong praesidia and a goodly number of auxiliaries.

ROMANIA
Satu Mare Regia has 15 Praesidia, 3 Curiae, and 1 Comitium affiliated. A new praesidium was recently established. The apostolate includes Nazareth groups, Radio Maria, hospital and nursing home visitation as well as visits to socially disadvantaged families.

Africa

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Reports indicate tremendous work in restoring marriage break-ups, preventing abortions, visiting prisons and rescuing girls from brothels. Formation sessions are held in Bangui and in the provinces. The day of the inauguration of the Senatus was declared a public holiday. Fr. Francis Athimon has passed the mantle of Senatus Spiritual Director to Fr. Serge-Hubert, National Director of the Lay Apostolate.

DEMOCRATIC CONGO
Concilium visitors are presently visiting the Congo. Lubumbashi Regia and Kananga Senatus have been visited. At Kinshasa Senatus they attended the funeral of David Kindombi, former Senatus Vice-President and recently nominated to the Presidency, who died suddenly. The visitors travelled to Mbandaka and they met the Archbishop of Kisangani.

Bukavu Senatus: News from attached Comitia mentioned a three-day retreat for 60 young legionaries and 33 new legionaries took their Promise. Reports from attached councils give details of returns to the Sacraments of 220 Christians and the baptism of 280 babies and 1,500 young adults. 2,210 catechists were prepared to give instruction on the various sacraments; 200 marriages were regularised, 700 sick people visited, 300 people, who were formerly members of sects, welcomed back into the Catholic Church. Fourteen families whose houses had been burnt and destroyed were consoled, pastoral work was carried out with youth and 180 funerals were attended. Reference is made to the ongoing formation for the Officers.

REUNION ISLAND
Works reported include home and hospital visitation, help in mortuaries where prayer services are held, Rosary recited in Church, Eucharistic ministry, visitation of auxiliaries, Catechetics, preparing ill at home for Confession, organising Stations of the Cross in Lent. A reunion for auxiliaries with the Spiritual Director was held on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. A junior praesidium of 20 active members distributes Miraculous Medals, recruits other young members and takes part in the choir where some play instruments.

Election of New Concilium President

Nominations were sought for the office of President of the Concilium, as Tommy McCabe had completed his second term. Sile Ni Chochlain and Mary Murphy were proposed and seconded and after an election, Sile Ni Chochlain was duly elected President of the Concilium. She thanked Tommy McCabe for his outstanding contribution as Concilium President and also thanked Mary Murphy for allowing her name go forward for this officership. Fr. Bede McGregor, Spiritual Director of Concilium, wished Sile Ni Chochlain every grace and blessing on her election as President of Concilium.

Raising of Councils to a Higher Status

Toronto Regia to Senatus (Canada):
The Concilium proposed and seconded the raising of Toronto Regia to Senatus. It consists of 13 senior and 5 junior praesidia, 9 Curiae and 3 Comitia and covers 8 Dioceses. It has already been given responsibility for territories such as Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, which were formerly attached to the Concilium. There are 2,056 senior and 422 junior members. Ecclesiastical permission has been granted.

Western Visayas Regia to Senatus (Philippines):
The Regia cares for the Legion in the Archdiocese of Jaro in the Philippines and its 7 suffragan Dioceses. It consists of 16 praesidia, 18 Curiae and 12 Comitia. The Legion is working well in all the Dioceses. There are 17,575 senior and 2,584 junior members. The Archbishop has given his permission for the raising of Western Visayas Regia to Senatus, which was proposed and seconded at the June Concilium meeting. The Archbishop expressed his appreciation for the great work being undertaken by the legionaries.

Karnataka Regia to Senatus (India):
This Regia looks after the Legion in the Archdiocese of Bangalore, India and consists of 9 praesidia, 15 senior Curiae, 1 junior Curia and 5 Comitia. There are 4,406 senior and 883 junior members. The Legion is working in 9 of the 11 Dioceses with further scope of development. The Concilium has, in addition, asked if they would endeavour to help with extension in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. The Concilium proposed and seconded the raising of Karnataka Regia to Senatus status. The proposal is made subject to ecclesiastical permission.

Congratulations were extended to all those responsible for the raising of these three councils to a higher status. They were wished every grace and blessing for the wonderful work they undertake for Our Blessed Lady

Dublin Catholic Youth Conference

The 10th annual Catholic Youth Conference took place at All Hallows College on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June. The gathering was welcomed by Fr. Bede McGregor, Spiritual Director of Concilium, who invited the young people to consider the theme “Trust Christ as He Trusts you” and to put it into practice in their daily lives. Among the speakers were Most Rev. Patrick O’Donoghue, Bishop Emeritus of Lancaster who spoke on the power of prayer; Andrew O’Connell powerpoint presentation gave a critique of the media; Sr. Miriam Duggan spoke of her trials in Uganda. She related how her trust in God was tested in her failure to get funds to complete her hospital when a donation from a non-Catholic allowed the work to be completed.

Evening Mass was celebrated by Fr. John Harris, OP, a Holy Hour of healing was conducted by Fr. Michael Ross SDB and Confessions were heard by 4 Priests. The customary evening football game was followed by an evening of song and dance.

On Sunday the first speaker was Carole Browne, a lay theologian from the American Mid West who gave several insights from her own life where her trust in God was rewarded. Sunday Mass was concelebrated by 6 priests led by Bishop O’Donoghue. Fr. Paul Churchill in his homily spoke on prayer and giving absolute trust in God. Fr. Terence Crotty, OP told of conversions, which resulted from the trust, which he had in God. The conference ended with Fr. Padraig O’Cochlain reminding all that they were the future of the Church.

Testimonies of 4 legionaries over the 2 days were for many the highlights of the conference and showed how the Lord helps us if only we give him the trust and love that he deserves.

Extension to Amsterdam

Ann and Eddy Evers, Dublin and Agnes and Ron Jones of Birmingham did Legion extension work in Amsterdam from the 21st May to 29th May 2011. They visited many councils with positive results. During the visit they met Bishop Punt who said that he or his Auxiliary Bishop would officiate at a Mass to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Legion of Mary. He urged local legionaries to use all means to advertise and promote the Legion, including the Diocesan website and bulletin as well as national newspapers. The Auxiliary Bishop also encouraged talks at bi-annual meeting of the deacons, the local seminary and the Congregation of new movements in the Netherlands. Thanks and appreciation were expressed to the legionaries for undertaking this mission.

Commemoration Ceremony for The Servant of God, Frank Duff at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin

The Annual Commemoration Ceremony for The Servant of God Frank Duff took place on Sunday 5th June 2011, Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Paddy Fay, Secretary of Concilium, gave an inspiring address on many aspects in the life of Frank Duff and concluded his talk by saying that ‘… when Our Lord gave His great Commandment which echoes across the centuries: “Go preach the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15). Frank Duff spent his life following that command of Our Lord. Are we following in his footsteps?’ There was an attendance of approximately 250 people and the ceremony concluded with the Rosary and a procession to the grave of Frank Duff.

Legion of Mary 90th Anniversary Celebrations

Wednesday 7th September 2011

Open day at Legion of Mary Headquarters from 10 am.

During the day there will be guided tours of:
Legion Headquarters, Hostels and Frank Duff’s House;
Visits to Frank Duff’s Grave in Glasnevin; and
Exhibition including the Causes and History of the Legion

Holy Mass at 7.30 pm in
Our Lady of the Angels, Church Street

Refreshments and entertainment afterwards at Legion Headquarters

Visitation of Councils during the coming months

The Concilium have recently given permission to send two legionaries to the following countries:

NETHERLANDS in May 2011 was visited by Anne and Eddy Evers, Dublin and Agnes and Ron Jones of Birmingham.
MOZAMBIQUE in June 2011.
CANADA in July 2011
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO in October 2011.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC in January 2012.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - two separate visits are planned in the Autumn 2011 - one to the New York and Cincinnati areas and the other to the Houston area.

Prayer for the Beatification of

The Servant of God, Frank Duff


God our Father, You inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into the mystery of your Church, the Body of Christ, and of the place of Mary the Mother of Jesus in this mystery.

In his immense desire to share this insight with others and in filial dependence on Mary he formed her Legion to be a sign of her maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children in the Church’s evangelising work.

We thank you Father for the graces conferred on him and for the benefits accruing to the Church from his courageous and shining faith.
With confidence we beg you that through his intercession you grant the petition we lay before you …

We ask too that if it be in accordance with your will, the holiness of his life may be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of your Name,
through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

This prayer can be obtained from the Legion of Mary website
www.legionofmary.ie

All Legion Councils, praesidia and individual legionaries are encouraged to actively promote the Cause of the Servant of God, Frank Duff, through the widespread dissemination of the Frank Duff prayer leaflets, through the organising of Frank Duff prayer groups and the holding of Masses to commemorate his life.

If you need Frank Duff prayer leaflets, please contact the Concilium.

Favours attributed to the intercession of
The Servant of God, Frank Duff

Should be reported to:

Legion of Mary,
De Montfort House,
Morning Star Avenue,
North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7, IRELAND