Concilium Bulletin March 2016

AFRICA

GHANA
Accra Senatus: Following the National Youth Congress at Tamale University two of the Senatus officers had a good meeting with 50 seminarians at the Major Seminary Kumasi. Great efforts are being made by the Senatus and all its attached councils to establish new praesidia and also to revive dormant ones. A new Praesidium at Tema Secondary School has been given great support by a priest and a Catholic teacher. Monthly Frank Duff Beatification Prayer sessions are being held by the Senatus and the attached councils.

EGYPT
The Senatus of Cairo: Details of various councils and elections of Senatus officer have been received and are being followed up on by the correspondent. Please keep the legionaries in your prayers.

ZIMBABWE: A very welcome email giving many details of the Legion in the Mutare Region has been received and is being followed up on. There is a strong praesidium of mainly Rwandese origin in the Tongongara Refugee Camp. Hwange Comitium: The Comitium has a very good programme of events planned for 2016 including a Legion Congress.

CAPE VERDE: Curiae and Comitia constantly encourage Exploratio Dominicalis; some praesidia carry out two projects during the year. One family visited were overjoyed stating it was the first visit from Catholics. Results included getting 54 children and 2 adults for Baptism and enrolling 14 children in catechism classes. Two Curiae from the distant island of Sao Vicente reported special efforts to promote catechism classes for children. Also in that island a Curia reported that more than a third of active members are Praetorians. A newly established Comitium reports a varied apostolate including one among families of emigrants. A Spiritual Director gave a special Seminar for members with a talk, slides and a question and answers session on the theme of the Year of Mercy.

ANGOLA
Luanda Senatus: A group of eleven officers of various councils in Luanda, including the Senatus President, made a 12 day visit to the Republic of São Tomé e Principe, off the west coast of Africa, which has a population of almost 200,000, the majority being Catholics, from 24 January to 4 February 2016.They visited various parishes and established a Curia in the Cathedral Parish with seven praesidia, four of which had been set up about a year before on a previous visit by legionaries from Luanda Senatus. Some councils in the Senatus area reported on holding a Triduum to mark the 64th anniversary of the foundation of the Legion in Angola and there were reports also of Mass offered on the anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Frank Duff. It was mentioned at a Senatus meeting that the Holy Childhood Association is the nursery of the Legion of Mary.
Benguela Senatus: The Senatus has 17 praesidia, 25 Curiae, 22 Comitia and five Regiae directly attached with a total of 80,897 senior active members, 8,870 juniors and 21,624 auxiliaries. The Regia of Huambo recorded 1,224 persons prepared for First Holy Communion, 61 marriages, 119 received the Sacrament of Confirmation, 102 catechumens received the Sacrament of Baptism, 81 the Sacrament of Reconciliation and 61 members of religious sects received into the Catholic Church. The Regiae of Huambo and Kwuito-Bié as well as some other councils were visited during 2015.

SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town Senatus: Quotations are being sought for printing the English-language Handbook. A weekend training course is being organised for legionaries in Port Elizabeth in June. A new Comitium is being established in the northern area.
Johannesburg Senatus: His Grace, Bishop Mvemve conducted the Retreat for legionaries in Soweto Comitium. The Senatus is encouraging all legionaries to extend the Legion in 2016.
Durban Comitium: Great attention is given to promoting the Year of Mercy at praesidium and council level.
Matatiele Comitium: An annual report from a praesidium was received in March showing great work being undertaken by the legionaries. 114 babies were baptised and 23 adults prepared for baptism.
Lesotho Senatus: A three-day Retreat was held for the legionaries. Home visitation is undertaken and there are many returns to the Sacraments.

ASIA

PHILIPPINES
Bicolandia Senatus: Catechism is taught to Elementary and High School students and instruction given to adults preparing for Baptism and Confirmation. Jail inmates are taught how to pray the Rosary. Other Curia reported visitation to attached praesidia. Parishioners are urged to visit the Blessed Sacrament. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes features in most reports. 30 children were baptised and 21 received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Mindanao Senatus: Auxiliaries are encouraged to attend the Acies. One Comitium has 181 members; 115 are Praetorians. Reports show marriage validation of 5 couples and their children baptised, running of pre-Baptism and Confirmation seminars and juniors bringing children to Sunday Mass.
Wes tern Visayas Senatus: Reports were received from 1 Regia, 6 Comitia and 4 Curia. 700 homes were visited in an Exploratio Dominicalis project resulting in 9 marriages regularised, 13 Baptisms, 6 Confirmations and an 80 year old returned to the Church after 20 years. A sick mother received the Sacraments and married her partner soon before she died. Another Exploratio project reported 25 Baptisms, 18 conversions and 15 marriages regularised. 209 homes were visited, including the elderly and sick during a block Rosary apostolate. Enthronment of the Sacred Heart took place in 20 homes. PPC projects were held. A live-in-couple of 30 years received the Sacrament of Marriage not long before the husband died.
Senatus of Northern Philippines: Three Regia, 9 Comitium and 1 praesidium reported. 3 Curia held a Congress. A Comitium organised Seminars for the promotion of Frank Duff, Alfie Lambe and Edel Quinn Causes. Catechism is taught in a school and to policemen at the Community Police Precinct three times monthly. After a lapse of 20 years 3 adults received Confession and Holy Communion. Many conversions were reported, also the setting up of junior praesidia and Patrician groups. Juniors graduated to the senior ranks and courtesy visits were made to Parish Priests and Spiritual Directors.
Cebu Senatus: All councils are active in home visitation. Apostolates includes, Catechism in the schools, a campaign to promote Rosary devotions, dawn processions, marriage validations, supporting parish activities and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. Junior members are very active in their apostolate and one praesidium of 22 members undertakes street contact among children to propagate the daily recitation of the Rosary. There are several reports of extension and visitation to attached councils.

AUSTRALIA
Sydney Senatus: Most of the parish praesidia undertake a wide variety of apostolates and are warmly welcomed on home visitation. The Korean Curia apostolate includes visits to the sick, non-practicing Catholics and they hold Catechism classes for those interested in the Catholic faith. An Indonesian praesidium of 16 members promote the Rosary, circulate 2 statues of Our Lady in 5 parishes, organise Eucharistic Adoration in 2 parishes and distributed 140 Rosary leaflets to young students.
Brisbane Comitium: Extension and recruiting is on-going, with one new praesidium set up. A correspondence meeting was held in October. Works reported were visits to nursing homes, home visitation, teaching Catechism in schools with the view to introducing the Rosary. Street contact at a shopping centre and a book stand gained 2 new members. The Korean Curia has 9 praesidia, 45 members and 50 auxiliaries.
Melbourne Senatus: A Summer School was held on 20/21st.February. The November Mass for Frank Duff was con-celebrated by the Bishop with 4 Priests and 300 attending. The DVD ‘Meet the Legion’ was shown in an effort to recruit new members. Adelaide Comitium: The Cathedral praesidium made street contact in the City Market, distributing Miraculous Medals and Mass times. Bishop Paul in Kiribati sent good wishes to the Senatus for their continued support. Melsisi Comitium in Vanuata has 5 Curiae and 47 praesidia. There is one junior praesidium.

NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus: Recruiting and extension are on-going with 2 new praesidia. Four Exploratio projects are planned for this year. The junior Curia had 48 on a day Retreat. A new praesidium of 20 members was set up. The Bishop of Samoa is visiting Auckland and the Senatus officers have arranged to meet him.

IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT

COMITIA

Cloyne Comitium: Carrigtuohill praesidium, with 3 members does home visitation with the Pilgrim Statue and visitation of hospitals where the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy are recited. The 5 members of Cobh praesidium do contact work every weekend at Cobh Cathedral especially when Cruise Liners are in town. Last year in addition to prayer leaflets for the 3 Causes they distributed 1,890 Miraculous Medals to a wide variety of nationalities. East Cloyne Curia: Praesidia in Mitchelstwon and Rathcormac both reported gaining new members recently.
Cork Comitium: Some of the works of the reporting praesidium are home visitation when they also offer the Pilgrim Statue for which there is sometimes a waiting list. A lady came back to the practice of her faith and the priest now visits her regularly. The works in Queen of Peace Curia are home to home visitation, weekly street contact work concluding with the recitation of the Rosary, visiting ships in Cobh and showing religious videos twice monthly. Coronata Curia: Members attended the PPC Annual Conference as well as taking part in the 2-day project in Kilrush and Waterford. In the Comitium’s discussion on Evangelisation it was felt that contact with young people was very important, as was getting involved with the Night Fever project, promoting Radio Maria, Eucharistic Adoration and in the Year of Mercy to promote the Sacrament of Confession.
Kerry Comitium: A recruiting drive was held in Milltown parish. Legionaries spoke at the Masses, followed by home to home visitation. A follow up meeting was held. New display cases for the statues of Our Lady of Fatima used on home visitation were made and are popular with families who have young children. A Maria et Patria project will be held in Killarney on the 31st March to 1st April. The local Parish Priest is very supportive and has given the Legion of Mary the use of the Parish Centre.
Mid Clare Comitium: In December East Clare Curia presented its annual report to the Comitium. There are 3 praesidia with 13 members, 5 of whom are Praetorians and they have 51 auxiliaries. At the January meeting the Comitium presented its annual report covering the Comitium and the two attached Curiae. The Comitium has 5 praesidia with 29 members, 3 Praetorians and 86 auxiliaries. In one area the Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited with the dying and the Brown Scapular given. Lissycasy praesidium, which has 5 members and 9 auxiliaries organise and lead a Divine Mercy Prayer meeting in the Pastoral Centre on the First Friday of each month. For the Year of Mercy a member of the praesidium had 1,000 leaflets printed on the Joy of Confession as a gift to Our Lady and they were delivered to 20 Churches. Two members went on 3 Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects in 2015.
Thurles Comitium: Legionaries in one praesidium help at Holy Cross Abbey and do home, hospital and nursing home visitation. Templemore praesidium has 6 members who undertake Pilgrim Statue visitation and visit Travelling families. A praesidium in Thurles has 10 members and 12 members in their junior praesidium. They undertake a great variety of work and members took part in MEP projects at home and PPC projects overseas. The Jubilee Year of Mercy featured as a discussion item at the January meeting. Murroe Curia reestablished the praesidium at Doon with 4 members. Tipperary Curia: An anniversary Mass for the late Fr. Bradshaw had a good attendance.

CURIAE

Birr/Roscrea Curia: The Moneygall praesidium has 5 members, 3 of whom are Praetorians; they have 20 auxiliaries. Some home visitation is undertaken; they also visit hospitals and nursing homes. Borrisokane praesidium organised Patrician meetings during the year. Nursing home visitation and some visits to homes are done from time to time. The Apostleship of Prayer is promoted in the schools. Two members attend the Parish Pastoral Council meetings.
Limerick Curia: Reporting praesidia have a total of 12 members, 2 of whom are Praetorians and they have a total of 70 auxiliaries. Works include home, hospital and nursing home visitation. One of these praesidia visits all local National Schools and leave Our Lady of Fatima Statue there for one week. Another praesidium handed out pictures of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at a Shopping Centre and engaged with some of the shoppers. A Patrician meeting had an attendance of 8 with the topic, “The Relationship with God.”
Lismore Curia: A recruiting drive is planned for the Lismore praesidium. Works undertaken by the three remaining praesidia include Pilgrim Statue visitation, organising attendees at Eucharistic Adoration and distributing Miraculous Medals and leaflets at various events.
Ross Curia: Two praesidia reported having gained one new member each. Concern was expressed that no members of the Curia has volunteered for Peregrinatio Pro Christo in recent times. Aughadown praesidium has 7 members. Works include visitation to Skibbereen, Schull and Bantry hospitals, care of both Churches in the parish in conjunction with other parish workers on a rota basis. Miraculous Medals were given to all children making their First Holy Communion.
Waterford Curia: Bishop Alphonus Cullinan attended the Curia Reunion, sang the Ave Maria and gave the Benediction. God’s Mercy is the theme for their Retreats, Pilgrimages and Processions for this year. The praesidium in St. John’s parish has 6 members and 35 auxiliaries. Works include nursing home and hospital visitation, plus home visitation in the parish with the Pilgrim Virgin Statue. Of 240 homes canvassed 41 accepted the Statue for a week.

DUBLIN NORTHSIDE

Porta Coeli Curia: A praesidium organised a Mass in honour of Edel Quinn on 12th May where her prayer leaflet was given to the congregation and was recited by the priest during the Prayers of the Faithful. Another praesidium recently had a member take the promise; 2 members are Praetorians. A monthly Holy Hour in the local Church has around 60 in attendance. Visitation of a Hospital is their main work, where 9 patients were signed up as auxiliary members. A young lady said she had found religion again since being hospitalised; she subsequently attended the Legion’s Youth Conference with her sister. A man approached one of the legionaries in the Oratory during recitation of the Rosary and said he wanted to return to the Church after an absence of 23 years; a happy meeting with a priest was arranged. A former patient has maintained contact and travels a long distance for the weekly Rosary; he attributes to the intercession of Our Lady his being able to walk and work again and also his daughter finding him through Facebook; they had lost contact 25 years ago when she was 10; this lead to him spending last Christmas with her.
Veneranda Curia has 11 praesidia. A new praesidium has been established in one Parish; the first meeting was held on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes; 4 parishioners attend as probationers. The Irish-speaking praesidium gave its first report having been established in July last year. There are 8 attendees including 2 probationers and 3 members of other praesidia. As well as home visitation and hostel work, the main work is organising and publicising a monthly event which has featured 2 lectures, a music session and the screening of an Irish-language movie. All were well attended. A praesidium of 12 members, of whom 6 are Praetorians, prints and distributes Pram Cards. Hostel work also features but their main work is visiting Mountjoy Prison every Saturday and Sunday. One prisoner has become a Pioneer; another said that his reading of a religious article in a magazine given him by legionaries has changed his outlook on life.
Consolata Curia: One junior praesidium reported. Their Summer Project had 17 children in attendance and the theme was the Consecrated Life; the resulting artwork was displayed in the Church. In October they organised a candlelight procession lead by the Parish Priest from the Church to the school reciting the Rosary. A senior praesidium of 6 members reported that one young member has recently entered a religious community in Spain. Home visitation is the main work, supplemented by the organisation of monthly Adoration and a fortnightly Prayer Meeting in a nursing home; one young lady who had lost most of her memory after a drug overdose, and who never took part, was invited to recite a decade of the Rosary; she was delighted to have remembered the prayers and kept repeating “Wasn’t I very good.”
Presentata Curia: A praesidium of 7 members recently had a new member take his promise in Milltown Park so that their 96 year old Spiritual Director could give his blessing. They visited many bars to promote the Good Friday Retreat. Their main apostolate is to those suffering from addictions. A healing service every First Friday includes Adoration and Holy Mass. One new member in another praesidium also took his promise. A very successful home visitation project during Lent last year was supported by Bethlehem Curia and was very much appreciated by the Salesian Community in charge of the parish. Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, a praesidium of young adults, presented its 10th report in January. There are 14 full and 4 probationary members. In July, 3 members transferred to a new offshoot praesidium. Every month members travel to Athy to speak with and encourage the 20 addicts in rehab there, while every week, 2 and sometimes 3 pairs of legionaries are on duty doing street contact in Moore Street, hail rain or shine. Two men contacted joined the Legion. 35 men attended a Retreat in a Convent. The praesidium also helps extensively with Deus et Patria events and activities.
Exaltata Curia: A praesidium with 10 active members, including 2 Praetorians visited 1,000 homes during the year; a Pilgrim Statue is moved to a new home every week. They brought 44 parishioners on the Knock Pilgrimage. A legionary coordinates Eucharistic Adoration twice a week. In the last 6 months visitation of a nursing home commenced. Recruitment efforts in 4 cluster parishes included distribution of fliers and newsletters with appeals for new members.
Bethlehem Curia: 21 patricians and 4 legionaries attended 2 meetings. Three members gave reports at the Curia meeting on contact work done on Alfie Lambe’s anniversary. One praesidium recruited a new member during the year. A Franciscan priest always attends the meetings. Legionaries act as Sacristans in a local hospital; the Chaplains are very appreciative and asked them to visit a Community Centre where they pray and sing with a group of elderly women.

SOUTH AMERICA

COLUMBIA
Bogota Senatus: Comitia and Curiae are taking steps to ascertain their area of responsibility; one Comitium governs the Legion in 37 of the 44 parishes in a Diocese; another Comitium reports 13 parishes with a Legion presence and 13 for extension. It was suggested at one of the Senatus meetings that the Legion should consider undertaking more book barrow apostolate. The Spiritual Director, Fr. Adolfo reminded the legionaries that 2016 is the 300th anniversary of the death of St. Louis Marie de Montfort and encouraged them to consider the Total Consecration. Prayers were requested for the two sisters and one brother of the Contreras family, co-founders of the Legion of Mary in Bogota.
Medellin Senatus: Five legionaries and 7 non-legionaries are teaching up to 80 adults to read and write. Park contact is proving very successful. Legionaries accompany the priest to houses where the sick have requested Confession and Holy Communion.

ECUADOR
Senatus of Quito: Several reports mention the Pope’s recent visit. The Comitium in Esmeralda has 594 members in 9 Curiae; they report 3 new praesidia and are considering setting up a new Curia in Quinche In Inca a praesidium of 14 members are all practicing True Devotion to Mary.

URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo: A book has recently been published on Alfie Lambe, the result of 8 years of work by the Senatus Secretary. At the request of the Bishop, a new Comitium has been established in the Diocese of Canelones; it consists of 10 praesidia and a Curia of 6 praesidia. The Senatus held a Congress recently. Two legionaries took part in a PPC project run by a Brazilian Senatus in the Uruguayan Diocese of Maldonado. The Senatus Spiritual Director conducted a Retreat for the participants of an upcoming PPC project in Melo.

VENEZUELA
Senatus of Caracas: In October it was reported that 3 legionaries had entered a Seminary. Although abortion is illegal it is widespread; in Maracaibo legionaries influenced one lady not to have an abortion. They have three book barrows in operation. In some cases grandparents have been catechised. They visit 3 jails but it is difficult to get in and prohibited to start prayer groups or praesidia. Columban Drives and Exploratio Projects are widely mentioned and they report 6 new senior praesidia and 13 new pre-junior groups.

CHILE
Senatus of Santiago: Legionaries do contact work at local Shrines where thousands gather. Many interesting contacts are made with bystanders, tourists and holiday makers. Great importance is given to passing on experience to newly elected officers. When Legion Congresses are held, a list of recommendations and conclusions are circulated and put into practice. A Curia reports 14 praesidia in 5 parishes. One of the Patrician groups is for children and sometimes their parents attend.

BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz: The Senatus has been invited to give talks in both the senior and junior Seminaries. In many cases the parents of First Holy Communion children are also prepared and receive the Sacrament on the same day. Some non-Catholic families accept the invitation to attend Sunday Mass with the legionaries. This inevitably leads to them coming into the Church. Many street contacts are made and the Tridium for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was held in the local street market. Distant villages and shanty towns on the outskirts of the cities are visited to prepare for the visit of the priest and the celebration of Holy Mass. The Senatus has just elected a new President and Secretary. Many councils and praesidia celebrated a Mass in honour of Alfie Lambe in January.

PERU
Senatus of Lima: Reports indicate very active councils and others quite weak. An attached Comitium in the mountain area set up 6 new praesida. Of the 45 members recruited, 12 have made their promise and 33 are still on probation. The Comitium is now trying to set up in the surrounding villages where the Quechua language is spoken. A number of legionaries speak both languages. Reports are showing progress with the junior movement. A Comitium on the coast reported setting up 2 new junior Curiae and they also plan to set up Curiae on the border with Ecuador where there are a number of praesidia.

PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asunción: Minutes are up to date. During the three month period, 1 Comitium, 6 Curiae and 2 praesidia reported. Under Planning, an elaborate calendar of events was drawn up for 2016. A very successful Day of Formation was held for legionaries in the city of Encarnacion, in the south east of Paraguay in January supported by Senatus Officers. 1 Comitium and 1 Curia held PPC projects. Curia ‘Maria Refugio de los Pecadores’ based in the capital Ascunción has full officership, 9 attached praesidia, plus one in formation; there are 87 active members, 355 auxiliaries, 14 Praetorians and 22 Adjutorians. Works include visitation of homes, hospitals, lodging houses, a prison in Tacumbu, a nursing home and a Leprosarium. They conduct catechesis classes for youths.