Concilium Bulletin June 2013 - Reports
ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires Senatus: Many young Argentinean legionaries will be taking part in the World Youth Day in Rio next month. The Regia of San Miguel has set up 20 new praesidia. Exploratio Dominicalis projects were responsible for setting up a further two new praesidia. On the outskirts of Buenos Aires the legionaries organised a special mission to an area where a large number of Paraguayan immigrants live. With an eye to the future, present officers of Senatus are looking out for and preparing future officers for upcoming elections.
Cordoba Senatus: A Comitium in Villa El Totoral had 120 at a Congress. A young woman was convinced not to abort her child and during Holy Week legionaries brought wheelchair patients on a Way of the Cross procession.
Salta Senatus is holding a Legion Congress for all their outlying councils, which is hosted by a different province each year. Topics for this year’s Congress include; reaching out to the poorest of the poor following the example of Pope Francis. Amongst other topics are: recruiting and setting up of junior and intermediate praesidia and True Devotion to Jesus through Mary. The Concilium correspondent has been asked to send a special message for the Congress. The Senatus has a Deus et Patria committee which organises many events for youth and does the catering after the Senatus meeting.
Corrientes Regia: Visitation of attached councils and praesidia is being re-established in one of the attached Comitia. Ten new praesidia, including one junior, were set up. Another Comitium set up several new senior praesidia and one junior praesidium at which three legionary mothers attended.
Rosario Regia: A praesidium visits 11 business houses and two factories and contacts the employees and gives them religious literature. A Curia with three praesidia closed and praesidia were affiliated to other Curiae. The Regia has a new praesidium. The Bishop has asked the legionaries to promote the Year of Faith especially on home visitation.
BRAZIL
Belem Senatus: A new Curia was set up. Over 400 visits were made to prisons. A Comitium reported on its first Congress. In a Curia report, home visitation found 123 practising Catholics, 34 non-practising and 10 Protestants. Six youths were guided to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, 10 for First Communion and two for Baptism.
Belo Horizonte Senatus: In the city of Belo Horizonte, Aids victims receive words of faith and consolation. Poor women are taught embroidery and crochet. In the Comitium in Itaunas almost 2000 homes were visited. Visitation of the sick involved giving baths, hygiene and cleaning the house. 108 children and three youths were baptised and three youths entered the Seminary.
Fortaleza Senatus: One Comitium in Fortaleza reported 1,089 home visits, 18 Enthronements of the Sacred Heart and 80 children prepared for First Holy Communion. A Comitium in Crato recorded 8,237 home visits and 5,560 revisits, 364 Enthronements of the Sacred Heart and 75 visits to prisoners.
Ponta Grossa Senatus: Reports showed legionaries visiting and helping in institutions. As a result of the visits of legionaries, some families returned to the Catholic Church. People with depression returned to Confession and participation at Mass.
Recife Senatus: In a hostel for destitute adults and youth the Legion recites the Rosary and holds Bible reflections. Several young men and women with severe personal, moral and family problems have been helped to be at peace with themselves, their families and with God. A junior Curia was set up. The Senatus urged tolerance of apparent faults in fellow members.
Rio de Janeiro Senatus: In the Amazonian region, a new Comitium, six Curiae and six praesidia were set up including one of Haitians on the Bolivian border, another on the Peruvian border where two members from Rio have spent a month on Legion development. In the city of Rio one youth who used to jeer at the Statue of Our Lady finally stopped and took part in the Rosary and accepted a Rosary beads. All are looking forward to the WYD and the Legion day afterwards.
Salvador Senatus: In an area of deprivation homes of the sick are visited looking after hygiene and proper diet. Support is given to families deeply distressed because of drug addiction. Also children are cared for while mothers work. There were no reports on extension or council visitation. The correspondent will encourage some action.
São Luís Senatus: Three months reports showed 62,000 visits made. Catechesis in one month’s report resulted in 385 Baptisms, First Holy Communion of 409, while a group of 254 youths and adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Training days are held for specific officerships of praesidia and councils.
São Paulo Senatus: A Retreat for young legionaries in February had an attendance of 90. A Comitium in Bauru recorded 1,862 visits to homes and 812 visits to the sick in their homes. In Piracicaba Comitium legionaries made 153 visits to non-Catholics.
The Regia of Cuiabá recorded 3,929 visits and 1,429 revisits to families. They are evangelising young people through a radio programme and through playing games in the public squares to attract them.
Brasilia Regia: Due to intense divisions in electing a new President, the Spiritual Director, insisted on two officers who had completed their terms remaining in their officerships until August. However, many members pointed out that such was incorrect. The outgoing officers have agreed to stand down. Over a thousand visits were reported. Catechesis is given to 240 children, adults and youths
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ASIA
Singapore Senatus: The English speaking Curia in Sibu Comitium has been amalgamated with the Comitium; this is a welcome development. The correspondent receives a Senatus bulletin; in the March issue statistics show 6, 7, 8 and 10 praesidia in parishes and 3 to 5 praesidia in schools and colleges. Tertiary Curia reports visitation of homes, hospitals and the mentally ill. Various functions related to the Year of Faith are planned; members of the Hierarchy will give talks.
Hong Kong Comitium: The Comitium has presented its 62nd annual report, and takes care of 11 senior praesidia and 11 Curiae (6 senior and 5 junior). Of these 3 are English speaking and 8 Chinese. In the affiliated praesidia there are 103 active and 256 auxiliary members including 5 praetorians and 11 adjutorians. The average attendance at meetings is 98% for Curia officers and 86% for praesidia officers. Work assignments come under the headings of Evangelisation, Pastoral, Formation and Service works. Evangelisation involves catechism classes, contact works and various visitations. Pastoral work includes Liturgy service, children’s Mass, leading Rosaries and prayers. Formation work comprises caring for the junior Legion, after care of auxiliaries and Service works concerns Diocesan events, processions and services in elderly homes.
Taiwan Senatus: Two new praesidia have been set up in outlying islands off Taiwan and there is one praesidium with 9 members in outlying Panchiao area under the guidance of the local priest. There are a total of 236 praesidia in Taiwan with 2,402 active members. Two people who were recently baptised have joined the Legion. Legionary work with Catechumens resulted in 13 people being recently baptised. A lady asked a priest to visit her dying mother in hospital and baptise her, she was baptised and three of her family returned to the Church.
KOREA
Seoul Senatus: Chengju Regia reported an increase of 20 senior praesidia to a total of 859 and an increase of 3 junior praesidia making a total of 10, they recorded 2,197 returns to the sacraments. Another Comitium recorded 492 baptisms and 494 returns to the sacraments. And in another Comitium there were 304 baptisms and 239 returns to the sacraments. In May, Concilium visitors had meetings with the Senatus Spiritual Director and other officers.
Gwangju Senatus: The 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Legion in Korea was celebrated on Saturday 25th May. The Archbishop of Gwangju, an Auxiliary Bishop and fifty priests concelebrated in the presence of around 8,000 legionaries; two Concilium officers were present. The Masan Regia, which is attached to the Senatus celebrated its 25th anniversary; it has a total of 11,400 active and 6,800 auxiliary members.
Daegu Senatus: In May, the Senatus President and Assistant Secretary travelled to Gwangju to have a meeting with Concilium visitors. A Comitium attached to the Senatus has street contact among its works, they think it is good to combine this with environmental protection activity, they divide into teams, tables with leaflets and other materials, also tea, coffee with some making contact, others cleaning street in vicinity of the table, many people showed good response to this venture.
Andong Regia has some difficulty managing their councils as they are scattered in rural areas.
Kuala Lumpor Regia: 1,100 legionaries, auxiliaries and friends attended the Acies on 17th March. The Archbishop and Regia Spiritual Director were happy to see so many at this central function. Two reporting praesidia undertake home and hospital visitation, visit migrant families, a home for handicapped, bring Holy Communion to the sick, assist at the parish soup kitchen, attend wakes and funerals and teach catechism. Visitation is made to a Catholic man to encourage his non-Catholic wife and children to attend RCIA. Council reports covered 44 senior praesidia. Along with the above works also organise retreats, contact with youth, enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes, etc. One praesidium organised a marathon Rosary on the feast of the Holy Rosary.
JAPAN
Osaka Senatus: The Curia members are very grateful to Fr. Berhaul, who celebrated his Diamond Jubilee, for his long service and fruitful ministry as Spiritual Director; he has now returned to France. The Sumiyoshi Church praesidium was involved in the ancient Japanese custom of blessing children on their 3rd, 5th and 7th birthdays. A praesidium reported two ladies taking their promise.
INDONESIA
Malang Senatus: A Comitium in Makassar reported 3 new senior and 2 new junior praesidia, 128 baptisms and 39 marriages helped. A Curia reported visitation and helping a centre for homeless people and 10 baptised. A praesidium in Kapanjen broadcast on radio the Gospel and morning reflection for schools. In Indonesia Papua, a praesidium visits old people teaching them to pray.
Jakarta Senatus: Councils and praesidia are being visited. Two seminary praesidia are mentioned with 20 and 24 members, as they cannot attend Curia it was proposed that Curia may meet in the Seminary. Bogor Comitium reported a new praesidium and also a seminary praesidium started in January 2013. A number of praesidia transferred to Seat of Wisdom Curia making it a viable and strong council. They held a novena in honour of the Eucharist and also helped flood victims. A Curia in Palangkaraya established 8 months visited a prison with 28 Catholic prisoners under age 25, a non-Catholic prisoner became Catholic and on release became active in the Church. A Moslem woman who was dying welcomed Legion visits and their prayers. A Moslem family whose son died became Catholic.
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EUROPE
Senatus of Austria and Councils under its care:
Austrian Senatus and its attached Councils: A praesidium of 8 members works with the Spanish speaking street girls. Efforts are under way to start new praesidia in the Indian community and the Spanish community. The apostolate of the 9 member students’ praesidium in Vienna University includes promotion of adoration, contact work and visitation of student hostels.
South Vienna Curia: A young Moslem was baptised at Easter. Ancilla Domini Curia: An apostolate was carried out to all in the vicinity of abortion clinics.
Innsbruck Comitium is active in extension. The Consecration to Our Lady took place in many areas including 5 parishes in Landeck Curia. The Miraculous Medal with an explanatory leaflet is given during a night apostolate to street girls from Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, in their respective languages.
Hollabrunn Comitium held a Legion weekend entitled “Mission First”. Three people returned to the Sacraments after 20, 30 and 50 years and in the prison praesidium a Baptist converted to Catholicism and is now in the Legion.
Unter dem Wienerwald Comitium: 270 people attended an afternoon session for those away from the Church and 4 Priests heard confessions.
UKRAINE
All councils are engaged in extension with many new praesidia set up. African praesidia have been set up in 5 cities. The praesidium in Lugansk is at present coordinating these. The question of a special Curia for these praesidia, meeting every three months, is not considered advisable. The 2 praesidia in Western Ukraine are going well but the Legion promise has not yet been taken while they are awaiting approval of the Legion in writing. Senatus has approved a visit by Elisabeth Kriss to the Ukraine for a spring school and a visit to the Kiev area.
BULGARIA
Five praesidia are persevering. Extension is being done but it will take some time to establish a Curia because of distances between praesidia.
SLOVAKIA
Zseliz Comitium comprises 13 directly attached praesidia and 3 Curiae. Approval of the Hierarchy is awaited for a Comitium in Egyhazgelle.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Olmutez Comitium: 2 praesidia work with children and young people and hold fortnightly discussions after Mass.
Prag Comitium: Extension was carried out in 8 areas. Bishop Karel Herbst celebrates Mass monthly with the legionaries.
MOLDAVIA
The correspondent for Moldavia was present at the Concilium and reported that the population is 1% Catholic. Of the 9 parishes in the country 8 of them have the Legion with 127 legionaries. They visit the sick and are involved in catechetical work.
BELARUS
Belarus Comitium: Borovlyany praesidium work in their new parish, performing all tasks for their parish priest. They are making a parish census, do weekly visitation with their priest to a War Veterans Hospital speaking and praying with the patients and the priest hear confessions. They organise 1st Saturday Fatima Devotions and in Lent the Way of the Cross. In Minsk a new praesidium of 5 members has been set up. Vitelsk Curia has set up Rosary groups and started Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Naliboki Curia enroll members in the Pioneer Association and set up 3 Rosary groups for men. Baranovichi Curia is helping new praesidia set up in the Diocese of Pinsk and will try to establish the Legion in Brest and Bolrita. The Comitium at the invitation of the priest is visiting the Gomel Region (the region most devastated by the Chernobyl disaster).
CROATIA
Zagreb Regia and Councils under their care: The theme for April on the Legion’s Radio Maria broadcast was “True Devotion to Mary is the root of the legionary spirituality and apostolate”. Permission was sought and granted by Bishop of Dubrovnik to set up the Legion in his Diocese. 8 of the directly attached praesidia, 3 Curiae and 2 Comitia reported. Among the works reported were regular visitation of auxiliaries, conducting of prayer groups and visitation of homes. Some fruits of visitation by 3 praesidia in Samobor, Brdovic and Zagreb were the reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony by a couple after 40 years of civil marriage and returns to reception of the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and confession by 86 persons.
Osijek Comitium, which has 8 directly attached praesidia and 2 Curiae celebrated 25 years of the Legion in Osijek.
Zadar Comitium has 11 directly attached praesidia and 4 Curiae. Legionaries helped 2 families to reconcile after 26 years. In Curiae directly attached to the Regia legionaries are very active in extension and a junior praesidium has grown into a senior praesidium.
BOSNIA HERZGOVINA
Sarajevo Curia has 7 praesidia with 54 active members. Legionaries are readily accepted by peoples of other religions with whom they have frequent contact. Legionaries help children in an orphanage with learning foreign languages.
SLOVENIA
There are 2 praesidia in Ljublijana. The Legion was presented at Sunday Masses in the Stepanja Vas quarters of Ljubljana. One person responded.
HUNGARY
Budapest:Regia: Reports were received from 5 praesidia, 10 Curiae and 5 Comitia. The Legion is in 10 of the 12 Dioceses in the country. They also have 2 Curiae in Romania and one Curia in the Ukraine attached to Debrecen Comitium. Works reported on included visitation of homes with the Pilgrim Virgin, to the sick and elderly and street apostolate. Kistaresa Curia lead 2 State youth clubs for young people leaving State orphanages and mentally and handicapped people. Legionaries in Csiksimlyo Curia in Romania united a family where the couple was in the process of obtaining a divorce. In February the winter school was held in Mariabesnyo and had an attendance of 94 and 8 priests.
LATVIA
Riga Comitium has 12 directly attached praesidia and 3 attached Curiae with a total of 14 praesidia. The Archbishop has appointed a new Regia Spiritual Director, Reverend Father Ozolins. A praesidium of 8 active members has good relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church and distributes Orthodox literature to Orthodox believers in the course of home visitation. Rezekne Curia has set up a Legion of Mary website. Archbishop Stankevies is very pleased with this development and hopes it will attract more people to join. Jelgava Curia is struggling with 3 praesidia and 9 members. Liepija Curia: In the course of a discussion on how to attract young people to the Legion, the Curia Spiritual Director encouraged them to stress the spiritual development the Legion would offer them.
LITHUANIA
Kaunus Comitium has 18 directly attached praesidia and 7 Curiae. A praesidium of 9 organise public Rosaries in apartment blocks, also May procession and Holy Mass in the open on the green. The DVD about the world wide Legion has been translated. The Comitium plans to hold a Congress in October. An 80-year old man after many visits agreed to see a priest and received the sacraments. Telsiai Comitium is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the foundation of the Legion in the Telsiai Diocese. There are 10 praesidia and 2 Curia affiliated. The very severe winter weather slowed extension. An adult lady and adult man are being helped prepare for Baptism.
POLAND
Lublin Regia: On the Feast of the Miraculous Medal there was a huge drive throughout the Regia to promote the medal on the streets, in the parks, in schools, hospitals and elsewhere. Yastshembiu Stroyu Comitium has 5 attached Curiae. Legionaries do home visitation, street apostolate, visit a psychiatric hospital and hold a weekly meeting with prisoners in the prison. In Zamosh Exploratio Dominicalis was organised in 5 parishes. Approximately 2,500 people were visited. Some results were 6 couples received the Sacrament of Matrimony, 4 Confirmation, 6 First Holy Communion, 5 Baptism and 55 Confession.
Warsaw Comitium: Our Lady of Mercy Comitium expressed thanks at its February meeting to the many legionaries who attended the laying to rest of Joseph Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland for 28 years, 1981-2009. Following elections Jolante Wedenka is again Comitium President. Some works undertaken by reporting praesidia were preparation of children for Sunday Mass for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, apostolate to the sick in hospital, to the bereaved and to those attending a social welfare centre.
ROMANIA
Satu Mare Regia: The Acies was held in Satu Mare Cathedral with 123 legionaries, spiritual directors and the Bishop present. The Bishop thanked the legionaries for their apostolate and heroic work. The Caree Comitium has set up a new praesidium, bringing its total to 15. Livada Curia has 5 praesidia attached. Apostolate undertaken by the legionaries in the various praesidia throughout the Regia are helping the dying receive the Sacraments, promoting adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, visiting prisons and orphanages. The legionaries help in the work of Radio Maria, which transmits prayers recited during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday. Bucharest Curia: The officers who were ill have resumed duty and a new secretary has been elected.
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