Concilium Bulletin March 2026

REPORTS
DUBLIN NORTHSIDE CURIAE
Queen of Peace Curia
Curia will join Bethlehem Curia and Porta Coeli Curia for the Acies on March 22nd. There has been a welcome uplift in attendance at praesidium meetings. Curia meeting attendance has been strong too. Guests include Sr. Eileen Carey who gave an overview of Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) projects. A Ugandan priest, familiar with the Legion of Mary, attended a praesidium meeting and legionaries are hopeful that this will continue. One praesidium has recently gained a new officer and two (2) recruits have continued to attend meetings and have been active in street contact and hostel work. The principal works of the Curia continue to be street contact on Thursdays and Saturdays, hostel work, and regular visits to Cuan Mhuire, where residents are particularly appreciative of rosaries and faith cards distributed. A Curia officer stood as godfather at the Rite of Election of Catechumens for a person met on street contact, recently. During the ceremony, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said that the almost sixty (60) catechumens present represented the largest number ever received in the Archdiocese of Dublin and that he saw this as a significant sign of hope for the Church. The new convert will receive the Sacraments of Initiation on Easter Saturday and is looking forward to joining the Legion of Mary. A friend of one of the members is very keen to set up a praesidium in Holland.
Exaltata Curia
A praesidium’s main work is volunteering in the hostels. Duties include cooking and serving meals, cleaning the kitchen, dining room and dormitories, laundry duty as well as administrative work, shopping and caring for the personal needs of the residents, and helping out in the Men’s Shed. Members also support the new praesidium in Ballygall. Other works are visitation to legionaries who are retired, sick and increasing in age, and residents in nursing homes as well as street contact in Temple Bar. A praesidium with six (6) active members, one probationary member and four (4) auxiliaries delivered its annual report. On home visitation members have covered the parish five (5) times since the praesidium started in 2005. They distribute Miraculous Medals, and information about the availability of all sacraments in the Dublin 15 area, including Mass times. The leaflet includes an explanation of Holy Mass. Members visit parishioners experiencing health issues. They do their shopping and bring them to doctor’s appointments. Legionaries assist with Lectio Divina and Annual Mass and Eucharistic Adoration in Castleknock College.
Bethlehem Curia
Curia elected a new vice-president and treasurer at their February meeting. A praesidium’s main work is home visitation. Members spend time with those they meet, and go in if invited. They cover a lot of spiritual ground on home visitation. Legionaries encountered a man who wished to go to Lourdes, and put him in touch with the organisers of the pilgrimage. Members also engage in street contact. An open day was held in the Legion of Mary house on Mountjoy Square in February. Legionaries spoke about their experiences in the Legion of Mary. A Frank Duff prayer meeting is held quarterly. A Venerable Edel Quinn promoters’ meeting was held recently. The Acies will be on March 22nd in Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Monthly street contact was carried out by the Curia at Bus Áras on Alfie Lambe’s anniversary, and some good contacts were made during this time.
Veneranda Curia
As there was no praesidium report at the January meeting the Curia reviewed 2025 and made the following plans for 2026: to start a Frank Duff prayer meeting, set up a book barrow table at Phibsboro shopping centre, put up posters displaying times and venues of meetings, have a quarterly review of recruiting in each praesidium whenever there is no praesidium report at a Curia meeting. Our Lady of Lourdes praesidium, attached to Our Lady of Victories Church in Ballymun presented its first annual report. There are three (3) active members and five (5) auxiliaries. Main works are home visitation and nursing home visitation. The praesidium is still being supported by members from other praesidia. Twelve people (12), attended the first Frank Duff prayer meeting which was held recently. The title of the next Patricians, which will be on March 18th, is “Confessions - why should we go?” The Acies will be held on March 21st. The Frank Duff Commemoration in Glasnevin Cemetery has been booked.
Presentata Curia
A praesidium’s main work is providing for the needs of the residents of the Regina Coeli Hostel. Work consists of co-ordination of legionaries’ duties in the hostel, management and administrative duties, and upkeep of the buildings. Members organised a day retreat for the residents, forty (40) hours of Eucharistic Adoration and a fund-raising dinner. Christmas Carols at the Crib event was well attended. The junior praesidium has six (6) members who visited a nursing home, where they were well received, recently. Recruitment drive was held in Aughrim Street parish, as a first step towards starting a praesidium there. Another praesidium’s main works are care and maintenance of Presentata House. Members have organised four (4) “Trad Nights” over the last few months, which have resulted in many new recruits. An Arts and Crafts afternoon is held weekly, where women are taught to knit and sew. Titles of last two Patricians were “Lent” and “Discipleship.”
Porta Coeli Curia
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
Consolata Curia
The Annual Retreat was held recently and the Acies ceremony is arranged for March 21st. A praesidium’s main work is nursing home visitation. Occasionally legionaries are asked to visit patients who are very ill, where they pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Rosary is prayed for deceased legionaries at the graveyard. The Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is brought to the church for First Saturdays devotions. Following an invitation by the parish priest in Lusk, a recruiting drive was held after the weekend Masses on March 7th and 8th. It is hoped that a praesidium will soon be formed. Junior praesidium’s works include distribution of prayer packs and Miraculous Medals and leaflets. Bottles are prepared for Holy Water and magazines redelivered into the homes. Used postages stamps are collected. Two legionaries are altar servers and also attend and assist with Legion of Mary functions. Legionaries from Malahide assisted with the visit of the relics of St. Carlo Acutis the visit of the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents St. Louis and St. Zelie Martin, this weekend. A monthly Frank Duff prayer meeting continues with an average attendance of six (6). Recent Patricians titles were “Who is Mary? Why does she matter?” and “What is Faith?” Five (5) legionaries and three (3) parishioners attended Curia members’ quarterly gathering for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary and Legion Prayers to pray for new members.
IRELAND PROVINCIAL REPORT
COMITIA
Thurles Comitium
Holy Cross praesidium, with eight (8) members, organise Eucharistic Adoration, and lead Rosaries in nursing home and cemeteries. All help with various works in the parish and held a recruiting drive during the Novena at Holy Cross Abbey. Visitation with the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima featured. The praesidium in Pallasgreen- which has seven (7) members- prays the Rosary at the hospital, hospice, grotto and cemetery. Legionaries went on days of evangelisation in Tipperary. Templebarden, with seven (7) members and forty (40) auxiliaries visit the nursing home and visited four (4) primary schools to talk about the Rosary and Fatima. They help on evangelisation days and hope to establish a junior praesidium. The praesidium at Doon gained two (2) new members after a Curia home visitation. Other work included mention of one member participating in a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project, the Annual Reunion which was attended by forty-seven (47) people, the Annual Retreat and Acies held in March and a Maria et Patria (MEP) project to take place next April in Killarney.
Kerry Comitium
Members visit residents and some people who have recently arrived at the First Provision Centre, and members of the Indian community in the diocese. Recruitment of active and auxiliary members is sought on such visits. One member participated in a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project, and another participated in Maria et Patria (MEP) projects. The next MEP project is planned for Tralee at Easter. Members bring Transition Year students on visitation to elderly in residential homes. They took part in forty (40) hours of Eucharistic Adoration for vocations and twenty- four (24) hours of Rosaries on Our Lady’s feast days.
Cork Comitium
Regina Coeli and Our Lady Crowned praesidia in Mayfield carry out home visitation weekly with the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and pray the Rosary nightly in Avonmore Park Grotto. Members spoke at all Masses in the parish where they distributed Miraculous Medals and leaflets. Our Lady of Lourdes praesidium, Glanmire carry out home, school and nursing home visitation with sacramentals and leaflets. They are very active in parish activities. Queen of Peace Curia, with three (3) praesidia, engage in street contact, carry out Pilgrim Statue visitation, distribute Miraculous Medals and assist with the new praesidium in Togher. They also ran a well-attended religious video show.
CURIAE
Waterford Curia
Hopes are high for a new praesidium in Holy Family parish. One praesidium on street apostolate offered Holy Water along with the usual sacramentals. Over ninety (90) homes were blessed by the priest. A long Rosary procession with three (3) priests and organised by Curia, walked from Ballybricken Green to the Cathedral.
East Cloyne Curia
Our Lady Queen of the Rosary praesidium, Mallow has thirteen (13) active and twelve (12) auxiliary members. Home visitation feature in reports. Holy water was a welcome gift for many. The parish priest requested that two hundred (200) packs be prepared by the Legion of Mary for primary schools in a Rosary promotion. A public Rosary is said at Muddy Hill grotto. Five (5) nursing homes are visited regularly. Visitations to praesidia were satisfactory.
Cloyne Curia
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Middleton has four (4) members whose main work is nursing home and home visitation. Open air Rosary takes place regularly at Middleton grotto. Tourists visiting the Cathedral accept Miraculous Medals and leaflets.
East Clare Curia
The praesidium in Killaloe promoted Rosary at the Grotto in October. Many visitors took part including one non-Catholic lady with two (2) children who expressed an interest in the Rosary. Legionaries were happy to explain it to her and give her beads and leaflets.
Lismore Curia
Twenty- two (22) people attended the Curia Retreat while November Mass for deceased members and the Annual Reunion were also well attended. Discussion on assigned topics formed part of recent Curia meetings in Lismore and Dungarvan. The 2025 Audit is almost complete and the Acies is being organised for March.
Birr-Roscrea Curia
The Annual Reunion was held in Citeaux Hall which is maintained by the Legion of Mary in the grounds of Mount St. Joseph’s Roscrea. (With Cistercian monks going to Mellifont Abbey, Collon, Co. Louth, there is the question of whether it will continue to be available.) Holy Mass was celebrated and followed by a meal. Forty (40) people attended. The Annual Retreat included Stations of the Cross, a talk on Edel Quinn, St. Francis and Lough Derg by the parish priest and Holy Mass with forty- two (42) people in attendance. Acies and election of officers take place in March.
Limerick Curia
The city centre Curia has been growing steadily with a focus on street contact and outreach at Crescent shopping centre. They have access to the adjoining chapel. Shoppers are regularly offered Miraculous Medals, Rosary beads and leaflets and invited to visit the chapel for prayer. They are well received by young families. The praesidium at university of Limerick (UL) has also grown in membership. This is partly through Patrician meetings which attract students, eight (8) to ten (10) of whom engage in discussion and prayer. One new member received over one thousand and five hundred (1,500) votes in election for president of the Students’ Union, losing out by fifty (50) votes. Other works of the praesidium include street contact, visitation of houses where college students live, a halting site and people who are sick. Legionaries stay in contact with one born again Christian, a former prisoner.
Ross Curia
Members’ work includes nursing home and hospital visitation, assisting with various works in the parish and distributing Miraculous Medals and Catholic literature. Some praesidia have resumed home visitation offering the Miraculous Medal, Rosary beads and leaflets. In another praesidium the members run the parish shop which is well stocked with Legion of Mary materials and religious goods. They are awaiting a correspondent.
AFRICA A
GHANA
Senatus of Accra
A praesidium prepared twenty- two (22) catechumens for First Holy Communion at Easter. They currently have twenty (20) catechumens undergoing catechesis. The Immaculate Conception praesidium held two “Time with Mary” sessions during the month of May. Each session included a talk, the Rosary, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The first session was attended by ten (10) legionaries and twenty- one (21) parishioners. The second session had almost the entire parish present, as the parish priest adopted it as a parish activity.
MOZAMBIQUE
Maputo Regia
We are delighted to hear the report of the establishment of new Curia.
ANGOLA
Senatus of Benguela
Several visits were made to the praesidia affiliated with the Senatus during the period reported. It was observed that the praesidia are meeting weekly and faithfully carrying out their legionary works, visiting the sick in their homes and bringing the Word of God to them. They also visit patients in hospitals, offering spiritual comfort to both the sick and their families. The Regia of Our Lady Queen of the World recently held elections for all officerships. The Senatus organised a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Kakundja in honour of Our Lady of the Assumption in June, with three hundred and seventeen (317) legionaries participating. They also held a gathering. The Senatus is working diligently on organisation the Jubilee marking the seventy- fifth (75th) anniversary of the arrival of the Legion of Mary in Angola.
Senatus of Luanda
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
CAPE VERDE
Cape Verde Regia
Many legionaries will make, for the first time, the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary according to Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort during the month of March. Exploratio Dominicalis projects continue to be carried out, some of which are at the request of the Spiritual Director. The praesidia also visited and contacted parents regarding catechesis, visiting eighty- two (82) families and registering one hundred and forty (140) children who will attend catechesis for the first time. It is hoped that from these contacts, numerous recruitments will arise for the formation of new junior praesidia.
Council under the care of Cape Verde Regia
GUINEA-BISSAU
Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Comitium currently has ten (10) Curiae and forty- nine (49) praesidia. Bishop Dom Frei Víctor, newly installed in Bissau, was the priest of the Cathedral Parish, a mutual familiarity that will help ensure the continued expansion of the Legion of Mary.
SOUTH AFRICA
Senatus of Cape Town
It is with sadness that Senatus reports the passing of the Senatus treasurer, Brother Robert Febana. May he rest in peace. Masses for deceased legionaries and for now servant of God Frank Duff were offered in November. A planning meeting for 2026 was held in November, and a schedule of activities was distributed. The Annual General Reunion took place in December and was a joyful occasion which was enjoyed by all. Works undertaken include visiting families, people who are sick and housebound, and praying the Rosary with them. One praesidium reported gaining two (2) new members following the Rosary Tableau in October. Recruitment is carried out through personal contact and home visits. A praesidium with thirty- seven (37) auxiliary members reported visiting a nursing home, praying with the residents, and giving them Holy water to bless their rooms. They also reported one hundred and nine (109) home visits, ten (10) hospital visits, praying at twenty- two (22) funerals, and taking part in a Rosary procession in May 2025.
Johannesburg Senatus
A new praesidium with seven (7) members was established in January. The works undertaken include home and hospital visitation. Praesidium visitation is also carried out. The Seat of Wisdom praesidium at Matatiele Comitium was due to present its annual report in January but could not attend the meeting due to flooding. In December, Bizana Curia presented its annual report. Curia officers visit praesidia to offer support and assist auxiliary members. Works reported include home visitation, teaching catechism, hospital visitation, encouraging the sacrament of matrimony, supporting children in school and parish activities, visiting prisons, and consoling mourners at funerals, support Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) projects, and organise Exploratio Dominicalis projects. Efforts are being made to recruit new members and establish junior praesidia. A Mass was arranged with their Spiritual Director to promote the Legion of Mary and provided lunch afterwards for people with chronic illnesses and transport to the event was arranged for elderly legionaries. There are many Curiae attached to Isogodoni Comitium.
Durban
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
LESOTHO
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
ZIMBABWE
Harare Curia
We hope that attendance at the Curia meeting will improve. A praesidium with (12) members, had a meeting with the parish priest, who desired that their work in the parish be recognised and encouraged them to be more visible and active.
Hwange
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
EGYPT
We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.
ASIA C
PHILIPPINES
Northern Philippines Senatus
Apostolic works of the junior Curia include a campaign for Mass attendance and a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Metro Manila in Pasig Diocese has seven (7) senior and five (5) junior Curiae, sixty- three (63) senior and forty- five (45) junior praesidia and nineteen (19) Patrician groups. One hundred and fifty (150) new active legionaries were recruited, as were two hundred and eleven (211) juniors, with one senior and four (4) junior praesidia being established. Paranaque with two (2) Comitia has Legion of Mary presence in forty- eight (48) out of fifty- three (53) parishes. Sixty- eight (68) new members were recruited, the revival of a junior Curia and saw three (3) conversions to the Catholic Faith, two (2) couples were reconciled through counselling, catechesis is held for children and adults, and the prison is visited. The attached Guam island Comitium has Legion of Mary presence in twelve (12) out of thirty- seven (37) parishes, and has two (2) senior Curiae with twenty- three (23) praesidia. Works include Pilgrim Statue visitation, visits to sick at home and hospital, block rosaries and catechism classes.
Cebu Senatus
Four (4) new Curiae are in the process of being established in remote areas far from the seat of the Senatus. Two (2) Comitia and five (5) Curiae are included in this report. A sample of works undertaken are visitation to people who are sick and elderly, the validation of marriages, catechesis, home and prison visitation, book barrow apostolate and crowd contact. One Curia distributed three hundred (300) Rosary beads during a procession whereat the juniors carried an image of Our Lady. Praetorian, auxiliary and adjutorian memberships were mentioned as well as the revival of a junior praesidium and the establishment of two (2) new praesidia.
Bicolandia Senatus.
Daet Comitium reported with three (3) praesidia attached and three (3) Curiae with seventeen (17) senior and two (2) junior praesidia. Reported works included hospital visitation and block Rosaries.
Western Visayas Senatus
One Regia, eleven (11) Comitia, seven (7) Curiae and three (3) praesidia reported. Apostolate included over three thousand and five hundred (3,500) homes visited, outreach through crowd contact in the markets, streets and barangays. Visitation to the sick and aged homes, hospitals and prison with many facilitated for Confession, Holy Communion and anointing of the sick. Extensive catechesis was conducted in the schools and during the Flores de Mayo, preparing the children and adults for the sacraments. Marriage cases and mass weddings were prepared, several returns to the sacraments of lapsed. Seven (7) new praesidia were set up and a Curia was established. Exploratio Dominicalis and PPC featured in most reports, Council visitation ongoing and officer formation.
Mindanao Senatus
The Senatus celebrated its silver anniversary in February with a full day of talks, reflections and prayer, the highlight being Holy Mass celebrated by the Archbishop. A legionary who was caring for her sick niece who was in hospital prayed the Rosary and about thirty (30) other patients and staff joined in. She also gave a talk about God’s love and the intercession of Our Lady. When her niece received the anointing of the sick twelve (12) other patients also received the sacrament and two (2) patients experienced a happy death after receiving it. Mary, Immaculate Conception Curia established two (2) new praesidia and revived two (2) more. Exploratio Dominicalis and PPC were conducted. Seventy- one (71) jail visits, forty- eight (48) baptisms, fifty (50) returns to the sacraments and thirteen (13) conversions were reported, and twenty- four (24) couples in irregular unions received the sacrament of matrimony. San Pedro Regia has nine (9) attached Comitia, seventeen (17) Curiae and fourteen (14) praesidia. Reported works of seventeen (17) baptisms,f ourteen (14) marriages validated, eighteen (83) confirmations and three (3) non-Catholics were welcomed into the Catholic church.
AUSTRALIA
Sydney Senatus
A new Indonesian Curia was set up with eight (8) praesidia. The Vietnamese Curia has thirteen (13) praesidia with one hundred and sixty- three (163) active members. They visit the bereaved, homeless, elderly, sick and nursing homes. Other reports taught Rosary making to the school-children, provide transport to Mass, Home, statue visitation, hospital, assist at the RCIA, and catechists in public schools. A new junior praesidium was set up in a school with seven (7) children attending. Solomon Islands Comitium in Honiara was visited for a weekend and a longer visit to be made this year. Sixty- four (64) legionaries attended the Comitium meeting . There are seventy (70) senior and twenty- nine (29) junior praesidia with one in the seminary and one in the Marist boarding school. The Senatus will help with Legion of Mary securing materials as they are in short supply.
Melbourne Senatus
Two (2) Comitia, five (5) Curiae and three (3) praesidia reported this period. Western Suburbs Curia held a Congress and prayed the Rosary in seven (7) public schools to over one thousand (1,000) students. A new praesidium of seven (7) members was established at Geelong Curia as a result of a recruitment drive. The Cathedral praesidium had a Brown Scapular Enrolment, distribute Miraculous Medals at service stations, shops and hair-dressers. Perth Comitium held a procession with the Pilgrim Statue into the school library and were well received by the students. Pacific Islands’ Noumea Comitium in New Caladonia has four (4) praesidia and eight (8) Curia on the mainland, a Curia on Wallis Island and seven (7) praesidia on seven (7) outlying islands. They visit homes, Protestant tribes, prepare people for the sacraments, visit sick, elderly and auxiliaries. Naura Curia has nine (9) praesidia with fifty- five (55) members and four (4) junior praesidia. They teach religion in state schools.
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland Senatus
St. Auckland Curia has thirteen (13) senior praesidia and one junior Curia with eight (8) praesidia. Two (2) separate episodes of home visitation saw one thousand (1,000) and eight hundred and thirty (830) homes resulted in three (3) children needing baptism, one home being blessed and three (3) receiving the Pilgrim statue. A comitium has fifteen (15) senior praesidia and one junior praesidium. One hundred and eighteen (118) members, who have lapsed are being encouraged to return to the sacraments. They are involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and five (5) candidates converted. Some auxiliaries became active legionaries.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Madang Senatus
They are still receiving good guidance from the correspondent in the administration of the Senatus and its attached Councils. They are encouraged to visit Councils, intensify recruitment and planning, hold elections when due and to follow the Legion of Mary system faithfully.
SOUTH AMERICA B
VENEZUELA
Senatus of Caracas
An attached Comitium reported seven (7) legionaries extending in an area where there is no Legion of Mary presence. Legionaries report the sick and housebound to the priests of the parish and when requested, they accompany the priest on the visits. A Mass was celebrated for the students of a Medicine School. Many works of consolation featured in the report.
ECUADOR
Senatus of Quito
The Senatus will have a visit from Concilium soon, there are a number of ongoing irregularities which need attention.
CHILE
Senatus of Santiago
This year the Senatus celebrates its seventy- fifth (75) anniversary. Due to huge distances and expensive travel, it is difficult to visit distant Councils frequently. At Senatus meetings there is good participation. A long discussion was held on how to help legionaries who have been missing praesidium meetings through illness for extended periods, and these legionaries are visited. A Congress is planned. The annual audit will be done. Prison visitation is widespread. Following a gathering which was well- attended last year, great importance has been given to extension and recruitment, including recruiting the many immigrants arriving in Chile; there are two Venezuelan and one Korean presidia, while many immigrants join parish praesidia.
BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz
The Legion of Mary stand had many visitors at an Archdiocesan Exposition. Legionaries were praised for their home visitation and street contact. One of the special works of the Comitium of Cochabamba is with youth on the streets who are taking drugs. The legionaries listen and speak with them, explaining the importance of drug free lives. Some of these children are not baptised or have not received any of the sacraments, often due to the influence of the sects. The legionaries explain the graces received from the reception of the sacraments and many youths are now preparing.
PERU
Senatus of Lima
Three (3) praesidia, eight (8) Curiae and six (6) Comitia reported. There are one hundred and seventy-nine (179) probationer, the fruit of recruitment and extension. A praesidium volunteers in a juvenile penitentiary centre giving catechesis and following up on those who are released. They have entered several schools, where they make Mary known and teach the students how to pray the Rosary. They are taking steps to be able to form a praesidium with the mothers of these young people. They report reaching out to young people (on alcohol and drugs), domestic workers, homeless people and women caught up in prostitution. The newly appointed Spiritual Director is responsible for all Lay Movements of Lima; he has accepted the position with great enthusiasm and dedication to the Legion of Mary.
URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo
During this period four (4) praesidia and (3) Curiae reported. They mention a prison apostolate to both women and men, an Exploratio Dominicalis in the town of Joanicó and extension in the city of San José. In January, after three (3) previous calls for nominations, the position of treasurer has finally been filled.
COLOMBIA
Senatus of Medellin
During this period, one Comitium, three (3) Curiae and one praesidium reported. The Curiae have twenty- four (24) probationers. New officers have been elected to the roles of president, secretary and treasurer. The Senatus officers are visiting the Councils because they think Senatus needs to be restructured. A Curia in Medellin carries out literacy work for the elderly. The Regia of Pereira carries out a prison apostolate, evangelising and praying the Rosary with the prisoners. The Regia de Cali works in high-risk areas and with groups of immigrants. The Comitium de Bello reaches out to people who find themselves homeless, to indigenous communities and to people caught up with drugs and prostitution; in areas where other people are not allowed to enter, the Legion of Mary is accepted. All the reporting Councils carry out home visitation.
Senatus of Bogotá
They have sent their 2026 Calendar of Events. The Senatus is training praesidia and councils on the Columban Drive; many groups are implementing it with very good results. A Comitium formed three (3) praesidia by recruiting parents waiting while their children receive catechesis. The Regia de Neiva visits cancer centres for children and provides recreational activities and moments of prayer. The Regia of Cucuta has seen many conversions through confessions and communions, especially in times of illness or imprisonment. Civil insecurity prevents them from visiting distant Councils and it was suggested that other affiliated Councils closer to them visit them on behalf of the Regia. There was a PPC in the villages of Ubaque for nine (9) days before Christmas. Fourteen (14) adult legionaries and two (2) youth participated: they visited three hundred (300) families and organised formation activities attended by between ten (10) and forty (40) children per day; as a result, the pre-junior group was strengthened, the praesidium was reactivated in San Roque, one couple promised to marry and many sick people asked to receive the sacraments.
PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asunción
A praesidium of thirteen (13) active members, of whom 4 are probationers, carries out home and hospital visitation, focusing on families who have lost loved ones. One contact had not been to confession in sixty (60) years, and another, eighty- six (86) years old, had not been to confession in thirty(30) years. They were prepared for the priest’s visit, went to confession, and received Holy Communion. A seventy- one (71) year-old man in a wheelchair was taught to pray the Holy Rosary. A Curia with four (4) adult praesidia, twenty (20) active members, forty- seven (47) auxiliary members, two (2 ) adjutorians, and eight (8) extraordinary ministers reported visits to homes, hospitals and to the police station every Friday at 6 a.m. Another Curia with seven (7) adult praesidia, fifty- five (55) active and seventy (70) auxiliary members reported teaching an illiterate legionary how to read; this sister went on to become an officer of her praesidium. A Comitium with a high number of young members provides catechesis for children and young people, holds pilgrimages twice a year to distant chapels, gives assistance to families receiving the Sacraments of Baptism and matrimony, prays novenas in a police station and has extended into five (5) parishes.
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Extract from Some Handbook Reflections.
(p. 34-35)
EXPLORATIO DOMINICALIS
“Exploratio Dominicalis is the term by which is known what might be called a mini-Peregrinatio and which might be translated as the Sunday search for souls.
Every praesidium in the world is urged, if possible as a body, to devote at least one Sunday in the year to an expedition to some place - possibly a problem area - at a little distance away, but at the same time not so far as to absorb undue time in travelling. The Exploratio need not be limited to one day; two or three days might be found possible. Exploratio Dominicalis enables the majority (in many cases all) of the members of a praesidium to undertake such a venture. It is recognised that even with the best of will, the Peregrinatio Pro Christo itself is not a possibility for the majority of legionaries.
Experience shows that it is necessary to stress, what the Concilium has repeatedly emphasised, that is, that Exploratio Dominicalis is essentially a praesidium project. Councils and praesidia are asked to keep this point in mind when Exploratio Dominicalis is being organised.” (Handbook 40:9)
It is strongly recommended that Exploratio Dominicalis should be one of the items to be considered when a praesidium is planning for the year ahead. If all the members are to take part, something which is very much to be desired, the choice of date, well in advance, will be of great importance. If a date is not agreed on at an early stage, it is likely that the Exploratio may be deferred, perhaps several times, and possibly omitted altogether.
The praesidium, obviously, will require permission from the parish priest and the Legion council, which is responsible for the parish in which it is proposed to carry out the Exploratio. It seems desirable, therefore, that the praesidium should work through its own Curia (or other council to which it is directly-affiliated) when planning the Exploratio. If the Exploratio is being carried out in another council area, then the praesidium’s own council should liaise with the other council. It is important that each council’s area of jurisdiction should be respected. It should not be necessary to add that if the Exploratio is planned for a parish in which a praesidium already exists, then, of course, the permission of that praesidium, also, should be obtained.
While new members may be recruited or even the nucleus for a new praesidium obtained in the course of an Exploratio, extension is not its main purpose. The handbook describes it as “the Sunday search for souls” (see above). It is evident, therefore, that the Exploratio should reach out to people with the aim of “bringing the full riches of the Church to every person.” (Handbook 37:9) As the carrying out of an Exploratio calls for self-sacrifice and a valuable contribution of time and effort on the part of the legionaries it is desirable that it should be directed as far as possible to areas of greatest need. The Exploratio can be a valuable asset to Legion councils in having an intensive apostolate carried out in areas which, otherwise, might be partially or totally untouched.
As a praesidium may succeed in having only one Exploratio during the year, it is desirable that a full day, at least, should be devoted to it and that a substantial portion of that day, after attendance at Mass and the recitation of the Legion prayers and Rosary, should be spent on the actual work of visitation or contact.
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Mary’s Channel of Grace
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Legion of Mary Prayers and Rosary 365 days per year.
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Writings of Frank Duff
Some of the writings of now Servant of God Frank Duff, Founder of the Legion of Mary are available at www.frankduffessays.com