Concilium Bulletin - June 2014
IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT
COMITIA
Cork Comitium: There are 9 praesidia plus 4 Curiae attached. The 11 members of the praesidium in Ballyvolane visit homes, circulate 2 Fatima Statues and visit residential homes. In October a statue of Our Lady was taken to an estate with young families where the children and adults gathered for recitation of the Rosary. Glenville praesidium has 7 male members, 3 of whom are Praetorians and they have 70 auxiliaries. 400 copies of a newsletter are prepared each Christmas. 60 copies are sent to emigrants. Mayfield praesidium has 12 members and 20 auxiliaries. Four members visit homes with Pilgrim Statues engaging householders in conversations about the faith. The First Holy Communion classes in local schools are visited and given Rosary Beads and Miraculous Medals. The annual PPC Conference was held in Blackrock in January with about 60 legionaries attending from the Comitium, Cloyne and Ross Curiae as well as Bishop John Buckley from Cork and Ross Diocese and 3 priests.
Muire na Gras Curia has 11 praesidia. They record a total of 134 auxiliaries. Works include home and Fatima Statue visitation, organising of 8th December Procession through the city streets and visiting First Holy Communion classes.
Coronata Curia has 6 praesidia. The reporting praesidia have 9 and 4 members, 12 auxiliaries and 4 Adjutorians. Works include home, hospital and nursing home visitation.
Annunciata Curia has 6 praesidia. The reporting praesidia have 5 and 8 members who undertake hospital visitation, sell Catholic newspapers and organise Eucharistic Adoration.
Kerry Curia Comitium: A successful recruiting drive was held in Millstreet by 12 legionaries at the two Masses, with visitation continued by 16 legionaries on Sunday afternoon. Four of the 8 people who expressed an interest attended the first meeting. Three legionaries trained for Baptismal teams and Pastoral Care in Killarney; they helped to prepare a 7 year old boy for Baptism and keep in contact with Chinese children who were baptised last year. Twenty four members of the Comitium visited Concilium, Frank Duff’s house and grave on Sunday 25th May. Among the group was Fr. Eamonn McCarthy and a former Nigerian legionary now living in Millstreet who had addressed the Comitium meeting in April and said the Legion is the hope and future of Nigeria,. A letter was received in the Comitium from Fr. Pat Breen in Iceland, who had just received a man into the church who years before had been given a Rosary Beads by Fr. Bradshaw.
Mid Clare Comitium: There are 5 praesidia and 2 Curiae attached. Lissycasey praesidium has 6 members and 67 auxiliaries. Works include hospital and nursing home visitation. Two members went on three PPC projects last year. Miraculous Medals and leaflets were given to the Confirmation class. Corofin praesidium has 6 members. 50 Rosary Beads and leaflets on Confession were given to students at the local national school. Three of the 8 members in the praesidium in Shannon are Praetorians. Miraculous Medals and Rosary Beads were given to the First Holy Communion and Confirmation children. 56 homes were visited during the year with 2 Fatima Statues, one of which is circulated among the Filipino community in Shannon.
Thurles Comitium: The praesidium in Borrisoleigh undertakes home and hospital visitation. The 3 members of Ballycahill praesidium undertake home and nursing home visitation and organise Eucharistic Adoration each Monday.
Murroe Curia: Leugh praesidium with 3 members visit the local school, bring the Pilgrim Virgin Statue to homes and do hospital and home visitation.
Tipperary Curia: The report covered the project to St. Oliver’s Parish in Clonmel in which 30 legionaries took part. They laid the foundation for a new praesidium, recruited 39 new auxiliaries, visited 1350 homes, and distributed thousands of Miraculous Medals. The Curia is fortunate to have Fr. Michael Kennedy as Spiritual Director.
Cashel Curia: The praesidium has been re-established in Killenaule after a lapse of 10 years.
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CURIAE
Limerick Curia: There are 9 praesidia attached. The Alfie Lambe Mass took place on 26th January. Patricians in February on, ‘Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium’ had an attendance of 10. The works of a reporting praesidium with 6 members and 20 auxiliaries include home, hospital and nursing home visitation. They gave Miraculous Medals and Rosary Beads to the 5th and 6th classes in 9 local schools. Another reporting praesidium has 5 members who send a newsletter to Abbeyfeale emigrants 8 or 9 times per year.
Lismore Curia: Fr. John Harris, Dungarvan, has agreed to be the new Spiritual Director of the Curia. The reporting praesidium has 9. members. Students in a local school were given Miraculous Medals.
Ross Curia: There are 9 praesidia attached. Skibbereen praesidium has 16 members who visit the elderly and housebound and a number of Special Care institutions. They publish a newsletter by-monthly and 550 copies are dispatched between those living locally and abroad. Timoleague praesidium has 7 members. Miraculous Medals were given to the First Holy Communion class.
Waterford Curia: Six legionaries attended the African Mass and spoke to members of the community. Legionaries in the Curia have been issued with ID badges. The reporting praesidium has 6 members and 10 auxiliaries. Over 200 Miraculous Medals, 50-60 plaques of the Blessed Virgin and the Sacred Heart were distributed. Last June about 80 homes in one estate were visited. 30 to 35 attended an open air ceremony in which the estate was dedicated to the Sacred Heart and animals blessed. They run the Rise and Shine Youth Group with 15 children aged from 8 to 12.
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Dublin Southside Curiae report-April & May 2014
Spouse of the Holy Spirit Curia
Attendances at the Edel Quinn and Frank Duff Prayer Groups were 12 and 5 respectively. 15 attended an afternoon of prayer for Peregrinatio Pro Christo. One praesidium visits 3 nursing homes and Tallaght Hospital and distribute 30 Pioneer Magazines. Another praesidium has 6 members. Homes, a hospital, nursing homes and schools were visited. Medals and leaflets were distributed to 65 Information Technology students on the feast of the Miraculous Medal.
Immaculata Curia
The 12 Patrician meetings had 41 legionaries and 69 patricians in attendance. A new Patrician Group is starting in one parish at the suggestion of the curate. In an effort to reach out to youth, 2 schools were visited, distributing Sacramentals and showing a presentation on Fatima. 7 Public Rosaries were recited, including one in a Traveller Halting Site. The Curia house was open to the public on May 3rd. As a result of street and park contact, 2 people visited the house for tea and a chat. Henceforth, the house will be open once a month. Another praesidium has 5 members. An average of 10 people attend a monthly DVD showing in the Curia house. A DVD was also shown by legionaries during a school visit. Home and Pilgrim Statue visitation and care of the Curia house make up the other works.
Mater Ecclesiae Curia
One praesidium recruited 2 people and now has 6 full members and 1 probationer. They have 12 Adjutorian members and distribute 125 Maria Legionis. Their works are home and nursing home visitation, a weekly Frank Duff Holy Hour and a monthly Public Rosary. A personalised pack was given to the 39 families with baptisms during the year; the pack included a prayer book and Miraculous Medal. Since 2012 a praesidium doubling as a Pioneer Council, recruited two full pledges, three temporary one-year pledges and ten youth pledges. Four Pioneers were presented with Jubilee pins at a special Mass last September. Monthly prayer meetings are held in two nursing homes.
Our Lady of Fatima Curia, Wicklow
A Bray praesidium of 6 members has 4 officers. Quarterly newsletters are sent abroad to seventy emigrants from Bray, containing 3 pages of news and 1 page of religious content. Two members attend a Youth Club each week. Other works include home visitation, recruiting Pioneers, a Rosary Apostolate and caring for the Curia house.
Benedicta Curia
The Frank Duff DVD was shown at a prayer meeting. There was praise for the large number of juniors at the Acies ceremony. One praesidium has 5 full members and 1 probationer; 2 are praetorians. Works include visitation of homes and a Day Care Centre for the elderly. One member works in a Charity Shop and makes spiritual contacts with customers. Large pictures of the 3 Legion causes are mounted in the shop.
Ancilla Domini Curia
As a result of the week-long Inner City Project in early April, a Homework Club has begun in Myra House. The Pauline Circle in April had one priest, 11 Catholics and 2 Protestants in attendance. In May the “Value of Prayer” was the topic presented by a Protestant attendee. 5 Catholics were present. The Gate of Life praesidium has four Praetorian members. The works are home visitation, organising weekly Adoration and running a Patrician meeting. The Filipino praesidium has 4 members, 1 probationer and 43 auxiliaries. They visit compatriots at home and in hospitals.
Annunciata Curia
This year’s Hour of Prayer for students was held in the U.C.D. campus Church with 19 in attendance including the chaplain, a Chinese non-Catholic student and a legionary from the U.C.D. praesidium, newly formed in February. 34 patricians, 21 legionaries and 2 priests attended 3 Patrician meetings. In another praesidium, home visitation is done during which daily Adoration in the Church is promoted.
Assumpta Curia
47 patricians and 14 legionaries attended 4 Patrician meetings. One praesidium has 7 full and 2 probationary members, 3 of whom are Praetorians. Of 6 visitors, 3 remained. Their works are home visitation, a Patrician meeting, a Frank Duff Prayer Group, running the Repository and showing the Miraculous Medal D.V.D. in local schools.
Gloriosa Curia
More than 100 attended a Mass in Celbridge in honour of Venerable Edel Quinn. The main work of a five-member praesidium is making contact on the street near a Supermarket, using a stand stocked with booklets and C.Ds. A Jehovah’s Witness mother and daughter were spoken to at length and said they enjoyed the contact; a man said he was inspired to write a poem about the work because the legionaries spoke about the love of God. A Rosary Procession organised in May saw 35 process through Ballyfermot with a Garda escort.
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SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina
Buenos Aires Senatus: On return from Rome, the two Senatus Officers gave a full power-point presentation on the Legion Statutes proceedings. Special emphasis was given to the meeting with Father Califano OFM and his forthcoming nomination as Postulator of Alfie Lamb’s Cause. A Columban Drive, which, included legionaries from many councils was held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lujan. Over 1,000 contacts with pilgrims and tourists were made.
Salta Senatus: The Regia of Tucuman is currently holding a Year of Alfie Lambe, which takes in many different events promoting Alfie’s Cause. One of the city Curiae report that their apostolate is done amongst the Police and Municipal workers as well as the teachers and students of schools.
Cordoba Senatus: One of their praesidia collaborated with the Parish Council for a Festival of Food. Raw materials were donated by natives and the legionaries helped to prepare the food. They teach catechism and literacy in a prison.
Corrientes Regia: As well as hospital and nursing home visitation one Curia visits a prison where catechesis is given and the priest is accompanied to the monthly Mass in the Youth Wing. Legionaries pray in a Police Station on each First Friday for the intentions of the policemen.
Rosario Regia: One praesidium takes Pilgrim Statues from home to home, visits 22 business premises and converse with the workers. Another praesidium visits a maternity hospital encouraging the mothers to have their babies baptised.
Brazil
About 80,000 people from many parts of Brazil attended the annual Legion Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. Two Bishops, 31 priests, eight Permanent Deacons and twelve Seminarians were present at the Sunday Mass.
Belem Senatus: On visits to families, Rosaries are said along with Gospel reading and reflections. Two families returned to the Church after ten years. Legion visits are well received by Evangelicals, with many invitations to return. Castanhal Regia reports distribution of 1,500 Frank Duff leaflets, also jail visits with Bible readings.
Belo Horizonte Senatus: The Senatus has almost 50,000 active members and over 180,000 auxiliaries. 118 Spiritual Directors are actively involved. Reports tell of 12 youths baptised in one town and 10 in another. Hospital visitation resulted in many patients receiving the Sacraments..
Fortaleza Senatus: Visits to families, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the homes, bringing Holy Communion to the sick at home and in hospital are mentioned in the reports. One Curia reported 26 adults prepared for First Holy Communion and 25 youths receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Ponta Grossa Senatus: Works mentioned included: visits to a prison, meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, a Retreat for 75 youths, seven of whom received their First Holy Communion and Confirmation, the conversion of an Evangelical and giving help to a young mother where there was a risk of abortion. The baby was born and represented the Baby Jesus at Christmas Mass.
Recife Senatus: Junior praesidia were set up both in the cities of Recife and Petrolina. One result of an Exploracio Dominicalis project was the setting up of a praesidium.
Rio de Janeiro: Directly attached to the Senatus with over 60,000 active members are three Regiae, 39 Comitia and three Curiae in the city of Rio, the adjacent State of Espirito Santo and four States in distant Amazonia. Many Evangelicals are taught the Rosary. Public Rosaries are said in homes and shops, also on public transport and in public squares with the participation of many street-dwellers. Illiterate members are doing literary courses, plus preparing for officerships.
Salvador Senatus: Members were encouraged to attend a training session dealing with the Brazilian Hierarchy’s special pastoral theme this year, ‘The Issue of Human Trafficking’. The importance of contributing to the next highest council was discussed at the February meeting. Good work is done in the affluent, Skyscraper City district and also in a poor suburb.
Sao Luis Senatus: In one month almost 5,500 family visits were reported; the following month reports 60,000 visits in the main Senatus area of Maranhao State. The Senatus area also includes the State of Piaui. A wide range of apostolic work reaches out to every section of society. The aged sick are brought for medical consultations. A hospital treating leprosy is visited and a family suffering from Aids receives attention.
Sao Paulo Senatus: The Senatus continues to carry out a wide-ranging apostolate. One Curia has an apostolate to people living on the street and to the unemployed. A Regia in Cuiaba recorded 3,115 visits to families and 2,520 revisits. A Comitium reported 60 visits to young drug users in their homes.
Regia of Brasilia: 3,000 legionaries took part in the Holy Eucharist celebration on the anniversary of the founding of the Legion in Brasilia, 56 years ago. Young legionaries in the central residential zone of Brazilia contact tourists in the area of the Cathedral; they also visit a hostel for young women who are tempted to terminate their pregnancies.
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ASIA
Kuala Lumpar Regia, West Malasia:
Two praesidia with 22 members and 90 auxiliaries reported in February. Works include book barrow, hospital visitation where arrangements are made for a priest to hear Confession, visitation of the terminally ill, a house-bound former legionary, a home for handicapped and follow up visits to a family where a person is receiving instruction in the Catholic Church.
Attached councils are made up of 84 senior and 7 junior praesidia with a membership of 840. Works include visitation of a home for the elderly and an orphanage, teaching catechism, acting as RCIA facilitators, organising area Masses, Rosaries, visiting the sick, elderly, disabled and terminally ill in nursing homes and prisoners. Two new praesidia have been set up and a new Curia is being set up in Kuantan.
Indonesia
Malang Senatus: Visitation of councils is on-going. Works include efforts to revive, guide and develop student and junior praesidia, visitation of families to encourage Mass attendance and recruit for the Legion; also they help children who attend Sunday School and organise prayers for vocations. Extension in Manado Comitium resulted in a new praesidium and a new senior and junior Curia. Works include visitation of the sick and a special Mass each month. A Curia in Merauke set up one senior and two junior praesidia; also in Merauke, two new Curiae are being established. Sick people are visited and children are brought to Mass and Summer School. Maurmere Regiaset up a new Curia and praesidium. The Comitium of Surabaya organised a Conference from 6th-8th September 2013, which was attended by the Archbishop and several priests. The Archbishop stressed the importance of catechesis, the spiritual life, prayer, meditation and living in Jesus. Malang Senatus, with three attached Regia is preparing to celebrate its golden jubilee next month.
Jakarta Senatus: A Comitium in Tangerang conducted a meeting every Thursday evening for their auxiliaries and many new auxiliaries were recruited. A Comitium in Bekasi held a Mass for the elderly, prepared people for Baptism and helped to rectify marriages.
Taiwan Senatus: Prayers are requested for the Spiritual Director Monsignor Wang, who has devoted many years to the Legion in Taiwan and is unwell at the present time. There is a great awareness of recruiting Praetorians, auxiliary and Adjutorian members. Also, much effort has been put into recruiting Adjutorians among retired priests and Religious Sisters, especially in nursing homes. The English-speaking Curia in Taiwan has 8 praesidia with 75 members, who carry out hospital and home visitation and visit work places. They also do street contact and recite the family Rosary in 32 homes. Another Curia visits and looks after Legion members who are no longer able to attend their meetings. Taipei Curia set up 2 new praesidia since its last report.
Korea
Seoul Senatus: Two thousand legionaries are assigned to act as stewards at the Korean Martyr’s Mass in Seoul during the visit of His Holiness, Pope Francis in August. In Western Seoul Regia 30,597 catechumens were recruited and 3,570 were baptised. Cheongiu Regia shows an increase in auxiliaries. Among the works in most Councils are recruitment of catechumens, aftercare of newly-baptised Catholics, visitation of the lapsed and Catholics who are in irregular marriage status, promoting Confession, helping families in mourning, visiting the sick and voluntary services in hospitals and institutions.
Gwangju Senatus; Unam-dong Comitium reported a new Curia set up and increases in active, Praetorian and Adjutorian membership. Recruiting catechumens, seeking conversions of tepid Christians, visitation of homes and training of juniors are undertaken.
Daegu Senatus: About 2,700 legionaries attended a Mass on 11th February to mark the tenth anniversary of inauguration of the Senatus. Gamsan Comitium set up a junior praesidium, which now has 18 members; a split is planned, with Primary School students in one, and Middle and High School students in the second praesidium. At a training meeting for praesidium presidents in one Comitium it was mentioned that one of the problems in praesidia is where former presidents want to keep strong influence over the members. It was recommended that former officers would return to ordinary membership allowing the Holy Spirit to work through the new officers. Reports from most councils show recruitment of catechumens, baptisms and returns to the Sacraments, plus visitation of hospitals and institutions.
Singapore Senatus: A new Curia is in the process of being formed in Kota Kinabalu Comitium. Former members of the Tertiary Curia attended their annual reunion. Mother of Perpetual Succour praesidium was commended for all its good work. A comment on the book barrow was; ‘It is the best way to attract peoples’ attention.’
Hong Kong Comitium: Hong Kong Comitium is made up of 8 senior and 4 junior Curiae. Two Curiae reporting in September have 17 and 19 praesidia respectively, one junior Curia each and a total membership of 379 seniors. Reports from praesidia include street contact, catechism classes, visitation of the elderly, parish work, Sunday Schools, help with funeral rites and visits to prisons and hospitals.
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EUROPE
Austria and Councils under Caretakership
Austrian Senatus: 45 legionaries attended a Summer School. Among works mentioned were, preparation of 23 children for First Holy Communion by Ancilla Domini Curia. The Korean Curia invites non-believers to Mass. A praesidium working with street girls report one girl leaving that life. An Austrian-wide pilgrimage to Salzburg was held to celebrate Venerable Edel Quinn’s 70th anniversary. The Curiae of Southwest Vienna and South Vienna have merged. Burgerland Comitium’s 2 Curiae were directly attached to Senatus. Ibbs Comitium did a presentation on Peregrinatio pro Christo in a Seminary. Hollabrun Comitium has 3 new praesidia and started Patricians in Sonnberger Prison. Continuous attention is given to True Devotion.
Czech Republic
Olmuetz Comitium: This council together with Bruenn Curia organised a Winter School.
Bulgaria
Two extension workers from Sofia were appointed. Patricians were started in Svischtova. The Bulgarian Handbook is near completion.
Ukraine
Fr. Josef and Sr. Kriss attended a Spiritual Directors’ Conference in Harkov. Nikolaev Curia started a new praesidium in Tawrijsk. In Donetsk Curia all parishes with praesidia held Frank Duff commemoration Masses. 26 legionaries attended a Retreat in Tscherniwtsi.
Slovakia
Zseliz Comitium did extension work in 10 parishes. Egyhazelle Curia started 2 new praesidia in Kolon. Tornava Curia recruited 117 auxiliaries. The Austrian, ‘Regina Legionis’ is printed in Slovakian.
Belarus Comitium: 300 legionaries attended the Acies ceremony in Minsk. These were from the 9 praesidia directly attached to the Comitium and 2 of the attached Curiae. Extension is ongoing with 2 new praesidia set up and 3 in formation. Works include bringing the priest to ill people at home, in nursing homes and hospitals, contacting young people in parks and other Centres, giving talks in schools and colleges on Pre-Marital chastity and organising prayer groups. This year the Legion in Belarus celebrates its 20th anniversary. Celebrations are planned during the annual Retreat in Baranovichi in August and at The National Shrine in Budslav on 7th September, where a granite plate in honour of the Legion will be blessed and unveiled.
Croatia
(Zagreb Regia and Councils under caretakership)
Zagreb Regia celebrated its 5th anniversary in December. Reports from 6 directly attached praesidia engaged in visitation of homes, hospitals and nursing homes, gave news of 45 receptions of the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion, many after long period and one after 40 years. Among the works of legionaries in Zador Comitium is an apostolate to Betting Shops. In Osijek Comitium a legionary spoke on a Catholic T.V. programme on, ‘The Organisation and Mission of the Legion’. 4 of the 9 Curiae featured in reports each set up a new praesidium. 30 returns to the Sacraments were recorded. In Sisak Curia, 4 former juniors took their Legion Promise. Our Lady of the Snow Curia has 19 senior and 6 junior praesidia.
Slovenia: has one praesidium of 5 members in Ljublijana.
Bosnia Herzgovina
The apostolate of the 7 praesidia in Sarajevo Curia: includes home and nursing home visitation; visits to a Gerontology Centre and an Orphanage. Many sick and elderly were prepared for reception of the Sacraments, some of whom received them after a lapse of 10 and more years.
Hungary
Budapest Regia has 22 directly attached praesidia, 10 Curiae and 5 Comitia. Two of the Curiae are in Hungarian-speaking areas in Romania and one Hungarian-speaking zone in Ukraine affiliated to Debrecen Comitium. All minutes report on extension efforts. Works undertaken are Church duties, training children to be altar-servers, visitation of sick and elderly in their homes, visiting welfare homes, hospitals and calling a priest when needed. In Pecs Curia legionaries visited schools and kindergartens and set up a new praesidium.
Debrecen Comitium: Legionaries help priests to organise blessing of the homes. Miskolc Curia in Romania helps the sick get to Mass and organise reception of the Sacraments for them. They contact homeless people and recruited 5 new members.
Latvia
Riga Comitium: A new praesidium has been started in Aluksne parish in Riga with 4 members. Leipija Curia has 3 praesidia. In Jelgava Curia a praesidium of 4 members in Christ the King Parish organised a Christmas Party for all groups working in the parish. The evening started with Mass and Rosary. Some non-Catholics and non-believers were present. A new praesidium with 5 members started in Bauska. Bishop Anton Justs visited the praesidium when the legionaries took their Promise. This boosts the number of praesidia to five.
Lithuania
Kaunas Comitium: A praesidium of 10 members with 4 Praetorians and 2 Adjutorians recite public Rosaries in the main square in Sargenia, which attracts large attendances of various ages. Contact work is done and many non-Catholics are met. A praesidium of 4 members and 69 Auxiliaries in Queen of Peace Curia visited the local secondary school and spoke to the pupils about the Legion. The Headmaster gave permission for a Rosary and Holy Hour to be held once a week during lunch break.
Telsiai Comitium: 11 Praesidia and 2 Curiae are affiliated. The combined number of homes visited by 4 reporting praesidia was 904. A praesidium of 12 made contact with 149 families, 2 of whom had no religious belief. The priest with the legionaries visited 745 flats contacting 218 families. One person went to Confession after 50 years. As a result of Hospital visitation 54 patients were brought to the Sacraments.
Poland
Lublin Regia: In the period of this report 25 new members have been recruited and 13 recent members have taken the Promise. The active apostolate includes home, hospital, Night Shelter and prison visitation. 2 new Praesidia have been set up in Kalish and a new Curia in Hodyshev. Some fruits of the apostolate by legionaries in M.B. Kodenski Comitium include 52 people brought to reception of the Sacraments. 6 legionaries went on Peregrinatio pro Christo to Ostrav. Our Lady of Mercy Comitium Warsaw: This Council governs 10 praesidia and 12 Curiae in the city in addition to 3 distant Curiae and 6 distant praesidia. Total membership is about 500 active and 800 Auxiliaries, with a correspondent for each of its distant Curiae. Works are excellent with visits to hospitals, care-homes, youth Correction Centres and apostolate to the bereaved. At its February meeting the need for door to door visitation was raised and its importance stressed. Extension is on-going but with an extensive territory a broader approach may be necessary.
Warsaw Praga:
Our Lady of Victories Comitium: 2 Praesidia with 6 and 10 members reported on visitation to sick and lonely people and arranging a priest to visit homes of elderly. They organise adoration of The Blessed Sacrament, teach young children to pray and are involved in ‘Missionary Programme of Educational Support’ for children from Africa. Wolomin Curia has a new praesidium with 13 members. Malbork Curia has 2 Praesidia, each with 10 members. Four members work in the Caritas shop where they distribute Catholic literature.
Romania
Satu Mare Regia has 14 directly attached praesidia, 2 Curiae and 2 Comitia affiliated. Results of their apostolate during the year include, 17 returns to the Sacraments, 3 marriages regularised and 4 conversions. Just before Christmas, Light of The Night Adoration was organised for students in Cluj Napoca. More than 200 students were invited and for many it was their first time ever in Church. Some prayed before the Blessed Sacrament for more than one hour. One young man said it was a most beautiful gift to him as he was celebrating his 26th birthday. Bucharest Curia: There are 6 Praesidia, 2 in Bucharest, 3 in nearby towns and one at a distance in the North. Some of the works are visiting elderly in their homes and keeping in touch by telephone with some elderly contacts.
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Africa
Burundi
The excellent work of the Legion at all levels continues with a good Legion presence in primary and secondary schools and a youth movement based on the True Devotion. The Senatus is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Legion in Burundi at this moment and has its new Legion Centre almost completed.
Central African Republic
Bangui Senatus: The reports presented indicate a flourishing Legion life with many troubled marriages and family disputes resolved by legionary intervention. The process of rejuvenating the Legion is proceeding well, with Legion nurseries feeding junior praesidia and these in turn sending members on to senior ranks and even officerships.
Democratic Congo
Kasai Senatus celebrated its Acies on 30th March at Kananga. They processed the 7 kilometers to St. Laurence parish where Mass was celebrated. The parish priest, Fr. Roger Matuta, who is also Spiritual Director of the Senatus, was the chief celebrant. The ceremony took place with an attendance of 8,250 including Nuns and Seminarians.
Bukavu Senatus: The Senatus is composed of 2 Regiae, 44 Comitia, 6 Curiae in extension, plus 11 Comitia, 5 Curiae and 3 Praesidia attached. The latest report covers regular apostolic work in parishes, schools and hospitals, including a Seminary, taking the form of Mass, Rosary, recollections and teaching. They salute the large participation of young people in recruiting for the Legion. A formation session was held with Officers of attached councils; topics included the government of the Legion. A 3- day Retreat was held at the Amani Spiritual Centre. They laud the exceptional support of their spiritual director, always available when needed.
Butembo Senatus: In total, 30 reports were received over 5 months from various councils attached, including 4 from Junior or Intermediate Curiae. Two new youth praesidia were set up in February in the city of Butembo. Great expansion is on-going. Two new Comitia were to be set up in Mulo and Mubana in Lubero territory in June, and a new Comitium also in Kashege. Catechism and prayers are taught to young people and children given Bibles. The Rosary was prayed with many family groups and people were motivated to attend Mass and take part in Adoration. 468 people were baptised and 11 Protestants were converted as were Moslems. Marriages were blessed and couples reconciled. Junior Curiae were visited. A young legionary joined a Seminary. Sick people particularly those with mental problems were visited and helped, as were alcoholics. Young people and children were advised to join Catholic organisations. In the month of March, dedicated to women, the Spiritual Director asked for prayers so that women might be respected at all levels of society. In May the Handbook study was on devotion to the Sacred Heart in the home. Vigils were organised at Pentecost to pray for peace and for children sitting examinations in June.
Rwanda
Kigali Senatus: Works include visitation of orphanages, prisons, the sick and auxiliaries. Those who are not baptised are encouraged to take on catechesis. One presidium mentions contacts with street children and street girls. One Curia with 21 praesidia has also 5 praesidia in secondary and higher education establishments.
Kabgayi Comitium has 27 attached praesidia, 40 Curiae of which 3 are in secondary schools and 1 in a prison. One Comitium started 2 new praesidiae in secondary schools. The objective was suggested that each senior praesidium should have 1 junior praesidium attached.
Mauritius (Rodrigues)
Virgin Mediatrix of All Graces Regia: Curia of Rose Hill reported 200 active and 150 auxiliary members and 5 Curiae attached. They organise Retreats and prayer days, bring the sick to Mass and visit the infirm. The Flacq Curia has 7 praesidia. They are involved in choir work and teaching catechetics. The Comitium of Port Louis has 280 active members and an equal number of auxiliaries. They do home, hospital and hospice visitation, say prayers in mortuaries, help in the formation of the young for Mass and the Sacraments and also teach catechetics in schools. Despite recruitment difficulties, they have founded a new praesidium at Baie de Tombeau.
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