Concilium Bulletin May 2010

CONCILIUM LEGIONIS MARIAE

BULLETIN MAY 2010

REPORTS

ASIA

Thailand
Two legionaries represented the Concilium at a Conference in Bangkok on the
role of ecclesial movements. They gave a presentation on the origins and
charisms of the Legion, the type of evangelisation undertaken and methods used.
Many visited the Legion stall expressing support for the Legion and
praised Maria Legionis.

Sri Lanka
The Archbishop asked legionaries to promote the Family Rosary on home visitation.
Two other bishops met with officers in an area where 1% is Catholic.
Here there are 10 praesidia functioning in a scattered farming community,
the members having kept the faith burning despite 27 years of war.

Myanmar
Archbishop Charles Bo and the Rector of the Minor Seminary facilitated a visit
by legionaries to address seminarians so that the future priests would have a
knowledge of the Legion. The annual novena at Our Lady of Lourdes shrine is visited by legionaries from all over the country. The Senatus officers set up a focal point, which enabled legionaries to meet, discuss problems and buy Legion literature.

Pakistan
250 from the Karachi diocese attended the Acies and Holy Mass with Archbishop Evarist Pinto as chief celebrant. The 2 reporting praesidia have memberships of 21 and 16 respectively - the sick, the bereaved and church related works are undertaken.

Mongolia
The praesidia in the Curia are from the Korean community living and working in this country.

Nepal
There is 1 junior and 4 senior praesidia in operation. Twenty members in the Godavari praesidium visit families, the sick and needy. A Hindu visited now comes to the Church. The praesidium in Baniyatar visit homes, hospital and jail often at a distance. The parish priest was stabbed; the legionaries came to his assistance, carried him to hospital and are grateful he survived. Each praesidium prepared an item for the Curia reunion and a poetry competition was organised for children under 14 years.

Vietnam
The Nha-Trang Regia looks after mission land in 3 dioceses working in 460 parishes, 32 small parishes and 78 apostolic centres. They work among people of 28 races and different languages and much poverty. There are 6 Comitia, 40 senior Curiae with 8,709 members and 20 junior Curiae with 3,884 members. Much good work is done in winning people back to the faith, regularisation of marriages and arranging for the sacraments.

Kazakhstan
Kokshetau Curia: the praesidium in Petropavlovsk has 12 members visiting the hospital and its drug unit. They meet their auxiliaries regularly for readings, prayers and refreshments. The Church is now permanently open so they organise adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Karaganda Curia the reporting praesidium also has 12 members and 7 auxiliaries. Another praesidium with 7 members does much work for those affected by abuse of alcohol and their families.

India
Mumbai Regia set up 4 new Curiae in a 2-month period. The bishops attended the inaugural meetings in each case and appointed spiritual directors. Visitation of the hospitals has been delegated to the Legion by the Archbishop in Mumbai and regular reports are sent to him.
Pondicherry Senatus Edel Quinn’s life by Cardinal Suenens has been printed in Tamil. To mark her anniversary 350 attended a function and young legionaries portrayed her life story.
Kottar Comitium has 15 praesidia and 28 Curiae attached. There is also a Comitium in each of the 3 dioceses. The Comitium organise Exploratio Dominicalis projects and run training days for officers with 100 attending in one instance.
Visakhapatnam Comitium looks after the Legion in its own Archdiocese and 6 suffragan dioceses and in the Archdiocese of Hyderabad with its 7 suffragan dioceses with distances between 102 and 631 kms from the centre.
Tuticorin: They have produced their own table vexillum.
Kerala Senatus - since the last report updates were given on 12 Comitia, 6 Curiae and 6 praesidia. Apostolic works are substantial with great numbers of Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians being visited in their homes. Some conversions and returns to the sacraments are reported and many homes are consecrated to the Sacred Heart.
Calcutta Comitium continues to work despite difficulties. They are due to visit Bangladesh.
Port Blair Comitium (Andaman Islands) Legionaries undertook a week-long project to 2 parishes setting out at 4.30 a.m. arriving at 9.30 a.m. Home visitation was undertaken, members were obtained for existing praesidia and new praesidia were set up. Visitation of praesidia and Curiae is undertaken.

Bahrain there are 8 senior and 4 junior praesidia attached to the Curia.

Lebanon
There are 360 members, 261 of whom are in the 18 - 40 age group, and there are over 300 junior members. The 792 auxiliary members provide great support for the active members. The members work often under difficult circumstances. During the Easter season the Patriarch for the Armenian Catholics was visited.

MEXICO

Mexico City Senatus
Parents of children who attend catechism classes are encouraged themselves to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments. The First Holy Communicants are encouraged to form the altar servers group and the catechists are recruited as Auxiliaries. Every praesidium is encouraged to set up another. Steps are being taken to extend into one of the Dioceses without the Legion in the Senatus area.

Merida Senatus
A new Curia was set up and another was divided. Attendance averages at 75%. Reports were received from 3 praesidia, 2 Curiae, 2 Comitia and 1 Regia. An Exploratio Dominicalis project resulted in the visitation of 437 homes. A number of young couples were prepared for the Sacrament of Marriage. The prayer to Frank Duff is distributed and encouraged in the course of street contact apostolate.

Guadalajara Regia
The Legion is active in 5 of the 7 Dioceses in Guadalajara. A large praesidium assists families after the death of a family member. It is customary to have 9 days of prayer in the home after the death but in many cases the family is not accustomed to praying and need help. A number of praesidia promote and encourage Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In the course of home visitation, themes such as love of neighbour, the importance of prayer and the sacraments are discussed.

Hermosillo Regia
Six reports were received in which one work is visitation to a prison where inmates appreciate the visit. Extension is being organised to the town of Tecoripa.

Durango Regia
A praesidium was set up and efforts are being made to consolidate weak praesidia.

Monterrey Regia
The Regia had a visit from Cardinal Orteaga. He listened to their concerns and plans and gave them advice and encouragement. One praesidium of 12 members has 200 auxiliaries. In the course of home visitation they distribute the Sunday Mass leaflet and the Mass times.

CENTRAL AMERICA

El Salvador Senatus of San Salvador
The two attached Regiae - Santa Ana and San Vincente - reported recently to the Senatus. Both councils are working very well with large numbers of young legionaries and many returns to the Sacraments as well as returns to the faith from other religions and sects. Six praesidia and two Curiae were set up in San Vincente Regia, the young legionaries have a radio programme aimed at young people. Five new praesidia were set up in Santa Ana area.

Guatamala Regia of Camotan
The Legion is extending in the area. An attached Curia divided and a number of praesidia have been set up. Reports indicate many returns to the Sacraments.

Senatus of Managua, Nicaragua
During the season of Lent the legionaries visit the homes emphasizing the death of Jesus with the recitation of the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary. A special effort was made for five week-ends to visit people in a remote area ending with a short retreat which proved very successful. The legionaries also teach catechism.

Costa Rica Senatus of San Jose
Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the homes and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are promoted on home visitation. Legionaries get involved in the Easter processions with a view to bringing a more spiritual Christian note to the ceremonies. There are many reports of returns to the Sacraments after many years and a number of couples have been prepared and received the Sacrament of Marriage. Legionaries are involved in the teaching of catechism.

EUROPE

Netherlands
Legionaries in Amsterdam Senatus are undertaking a Peregrinatio Pro Christo project to Northern Ireland. Two praesidia are amalgamating; the praesidium for street girls and one for the homeless. A Hindu family in Rotterdam has asked to become Catholics.
Antwerp Senatus will celebrate the 450th jubilee of the Diocese in 2010. The report from Curia Beringen mentioned the Acies, retreat and outing.

Norway
The new praesidium in Drammen has 8 members; apostolate includes teaching catechism, bible study with the Filipino community, visiting the sick, etc.

Belgium
A Curia has been erected in St. Vith to cater for the 4 existing praesidia in the area. A further two praesidia have been set up and all works are being faithfully performed.

England
Senatus of Birmingham: The new Archbishop expressed his appreciation for the apostolate and prayers of the legionaries. Permission has been given for extension in two new parishes and for a legionary to speak at a Deanery meeting. A Vietnamese praesidium of 9 members carries out an apostolate to its own community. Birmingham Junior Curia has 4 praesidia each with a Spiritual Director. Bristol Curia reported a cure attributed through Our Lady’s intervention with the Miraculous Medal. Coventry Curia had an Exploratio Dominicalis Project to Warwick University resulting in 100 contacts from 16 different nations.

Senatus of Liverpool: A Congress is planned for June. Newcastle Comitium has 5 attached Curiae and reports a thriving junior praesidium with 9 members. Works include circulating newsletters to boarding houses, libraries, etc. The praesidium formed in Leeds Comitium following a PPC project in 2007 is progressing very well. In Warrington members of a praesidium set up following extension are still awaiting CRB clearance but work with the Parish Priest who is keen to have the praesidium. Juniors in Blackburn (Manchester Comitium) are mentored by a legionary who is 52 years in the Legion. A praesidium, working with a priest who is a Spiritual Director, piloted and re-started a new RCIA programme and as a result a number of people renewed their faith and several expressed a wish to join the Catholic Church.

Southwark Comitium has 3 Curiae, 6 senior, 1 intermediate and 3 junior praesidia attached, and 415 auxiliaries. Mass details are given to hotels by one praesidium and another visits substance misuse centers. Newly baptized adults are visited and the intermediates and junior visit First Communion and Confirmation classes and visit the sick with the Pilgrim statue. Extension resulted in a senior and junior praesidium being set up.

Brentwood Comitium has 2 Curiae and 13 directly attached praesidia. The new praesidium in Chelmsford is doing very well. The apostolate of the Comitium includes helping with RCIA, First Holy Communion and preparing 20 candidates for Confirmation.

Brent and Harrow Curia reports an increase in the number of praetorians and a corresponding improvement in attendance at meetings. In one of the nursing homes visited members of the Muslim staff participated in the recitation of the Rosary and the Nativity play at Christmas.

Central London Curia: In the 4 reporting praesidia, one of which has a junior praesidium attached, has 107 auxiliaries, 4 Praetorians and 9 Adjutorian members. Patrician meetings, with attendances of up to 16, were mentioned among the other works of home/hospital visitation, crowd contact and visitation of pubs and restaurants. Hindus and Muslims are among those contacted on home visitation. Extension is ongoing.

Westmiddlesex Curia: The two reporting praesidia are engaged in contact work in Gunnersby Park, visiting the sick and elderly and 6 of their auxiliaries attended the annual retreat. Legionaries led a Holy Hour during 40-hour Adoration for the Parish Jubilee celebrations.

Hammersmith Curia has 8 attached praesidia and legionaries co-operate with the Parish Priest on works of service and church activities.
Northampton South Curia has a new junior praesidium for the Aylesbury parishes, and members of a praesidium in Northampton North Curia prepares children for the Sacraments.

The Isle of Wight: The praesidium has 7 full members and 13 auxiliaries. They hope to get the biographies of the three Legion candidates for beatification into local school libraries.

Scotland
The new praesidium in Aberdeen is progressing well. Ayrshire Curia reports regular prison visitation and success with park contacts. Another praesidium has 3 Praetorians and will celebrate its 30th anniversary in October. Motherwell Curia mentioned Patricians and excellent contacts at the Cribs during the Christmas period.

France
Paris Regia: A Haitian praesidium in Paris has 8 members who visit their community in their homes and hospital. Sympathy was expressed to the legionaries in Haiti on the death of the Spiritual Director, Mgr. Charles Benoit. Lorient Curia’s apostolate includes visitation of homes, encourage attendance at Mass and the Sacraments and promote the Miraculous Medal. Paris Regia cartakes the Comitia in Guadeloupe and Martinique. In Guadeloupe attached Curiae and praesidia are visited regularly, an Auxiliary function was mentioned and a Marian Day. In Martinique membership ranges from 6 to 15 in praesidia and works include home, hospital and nursing home visitation, teaching catechism and accompanying the priest for the Sacrament of the Sick.
Valence Regia: A praesidium of 7 members visit elderly, disabled people and bereaved families, teaches catechism to young people and also visit priests and religious in a retirement home. In Chateauneuf de Galaure legionaries contact retreatants from other countries and their juniors are recruiting. Lyon Comitium has three attached praesidia and also a Vietnamese Curia with four praesidia.

Strasbourg Senatus has one Curia and 24 praesidia attached, including 2 junior praesidia and caretakes Fribourg praesidium in Switzerland and looks after the Permanence in Lourdes. Their PPC Conference drew legionaries from neighbouring countries. The praesidium in Cronenbourg, started a year ago, has 4 members and their Parish Priest encourages them to do home visitation and to follow up contacts, especially those in high-rise flats.

Dax Regia: The apostolate of the Regia comprises works of service, visiting the housebound and teaching catechism in primary schools. The Legion of Mary in France was founded in 1940 so they are celebrating their 70th anniversary in Navers on Saturday 20th November 2010.

Germany
Munich Senatus has 2 directly attached Comitia, 10 Curiae, 13 praesidia, total membership of 533 active and 5,620 auxiliaries. An extension drive in Heroldsbach resulted in a new praesidium, which started in February with 10 members, and a praesidium in Geretsried has been restarted. A winter school took place in December, 18 attended and it included a Patrician meeting and street contact work with good contacts. One street praesidium has 15 members, and contacts young people, prisoners, prostitutes and homosexuals. Legionaries visit Bernau Prison weekly and others contact passengers on the Danube boats.

Sweden
Virgin Queen of Peace praesidium in Malmo has 11 members from South America, Asia and Africa and they visit the sick and housebound, instruct and prepare children for First Confession and Holy Communion.

AFRICA

Cameroon
Douala Senatus: The 5,000 Tesserae in French have now been printed locally. In Nkongsamba Comitium there is a mention of a new Curia and in Bamenda Comitium 4 new junior praesidia. Limbe Comitium is organising a PPC project. A Congress is also planned in Bamend Comitium. An octogenarian couple has rectified their marriage in the Church after a visitation of 5-years by the legionaries. Various councils mention the return to the Sacraments and the regularisation of marriages and the setting up of senior and junior praesidia.

Guinea
Conakry Comitium: Conakry Comitium has been in existence just over 40 years and has been holding its meetings regularly despite the break in communications for nearly five years. Reports in attached Curia show works which include visitation in Catholic and Muslim neighbourhoods.

Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou Comitium: Works undertaken include home and hospital visitation, visitation to Muslims and Protestants and visits to the elderly. There is one junior praesidium. Three members of a Muslim family are taking instruction and 15 people were brought back to the Sacraments.

Equatorial Guinea
Bata Comitium: The Spiritual Director reported that the new officers were elected and is hopeful of a new springtime for the Legion in Bata.

Benin Republic
Cotonou Regia: Over 100 legionaries attend the Regia meetings and there is a membership of 145 in the Junior Curia. Two Frank Duff Clubs cater for 62 children. They propose to carry out visits to the territory under their caretakership, namely Gabon Republic with its three Comitia: Libreville, Oyem and Mouila. They will supply the Republic of Niger with handbooks.

Congo Republic
Brazzaville Regia: The Regia held a day of formation at the Lycee Chaminade on the history of the Legion of Mary. The Comitium Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament with 9 praesidia and 6 Curiae visited 3,216 holdings in 165 streets contacting 21,712 persons of all denominations. Work is progressing on the translation of the Handbook into Lari.

New Regia in Cuiaba, Brazil
At the Concilium meeting on the 16th May 2010 the Comitium of Auxilium in Cuiaba, Brazil, which has 8 praesidia and 7 Curia directly affiliated was raised to Regia status and the following three Comitia will be affiliated to it: Medianeira Comitium with 8 praesidia and 6 Curiae attached; Regina Coeli Comitium with 12 praesidia and 4 Curiae attached; and Mae Amavel Comitium with 8 praesidia and 5 Curiae attached and will govern the Legion in the Archdiocese of Cuiaba and its nine Suffragan Dioceses.

New Regia for New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Also at the Concilium meeting on the 16th May 2010 the Comitium Immaculata, New Orleans which has 18 praesidia and 2 Curiae directly affiliated was raised to Regia status and the following Comitium and 3 Curia will be affiliated to it: Lafayette Comitium with 6 praesidia and 2 Curiae attached; Sulphur Curia with 5 praesidia and Baton Rouge Curia with 6 praesidia. The 2 remaining praesidia in the Houma-Thibodeaux Diocese will also be directly attached to the new Regia. The Regia will govern the Legion in the state of Louisiana, in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and its 5 Suffragan Dioceses.

Tommy McCabe, on behalf of the Concilium, wished the 2 new Regiae every grace and blessing and thanked the members for their dedication and commitment.

Election of Concilium Secretary
Nominations were sought for the office of Secretary to the Concilium Legionis Mariae. Paddy Fay was proposed and seconded and as there were no other nominations, he was duly elected Secretary for a 3-year period. Tommy McCabe thanked him for his generosity in letting his name go forward and wished him every grace and blessing. He also thanked the outgoing Secretary, Enda Dunleavy, for the many services he rendered the Concilium, particularly in his capacity as Secretary.

Prayer for the Beatification of
The Servant of God, Frank Duff

God our Father, You inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into the mystery of your Church, the Body of Christ, and of the place of Mary the Mother of Jesus in this mystery.
In his immense desire to share this insight with others and in filial dependence on Mary he formed her Legion to be a sign of her maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children in the Church’s evangelising work.
We thank you Father for the graces conferred on him and for the benefits accruing to the Church from his courageous and shining faith.
With confidence we beg you that through his intercession you grant the petition we lay before you …
We ask too that if it be in accordance with your will, the holiness of his life may be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of your Name,
through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

This prayer can be obtained from the Legion of Mary website
www.legion-of-mary.ie

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

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