Concilium Bulletin November 2015

ASIA
PHILIPPINES
Bicolandia Senatus: The Regia of Lagaspi reported they have 38 Curia, 115 senior and 90 junior praesidia. Main works: Home visitation; visits to sick and aged; a campaign for Mass attendance on Sundays and Holy days; preparation for the Sacrament of Penance. Juniors invite family and friends to visit the Blessed Sacrament, recite the Rosary and make personal contact with classmates. Other works reported include visitation to Store and Stall holders, encouraging them to pray before opening for business. A Rosary is recited in the Jail every First Friday. Parents are encouraged to baptise their babies early. Catechism is taught in the Elementary School. Visitation to councils is done to encourage them in the performance of their duties.

Western Visayas Senatus: The Biennial Conference was held in May and was also attended by the officers from Manila with their Spiritual Director, Msgr. Ditan, who spoke on the challenges facing the Legion apostolate in the coming year. Capiz Comitium reported on the validation of 11 marriages. A woman who wished to have an abortion was brought to Confession and she kept her baby. Nabas Curia reported the conversion of a Jehovah Witness family. Five children were baptised and all attend Mass every Sunday. A praesidium made up of Seminarian’s visit a home for the aged and Institutions run by the Missionaries of Charity. Other visitation reports included returns to Church after the value of the Mass was explained. Arrangements are made for Mass once a month in a Prison. 18 homes were enthroned to the Sacred Heart. As a result of an Exploratio Dominicalis project, a former legionary who became a Born-Again Christian, returned to the Catholic Church.

Senatus of Northern Philippines: 7 Comitia, 1 Regia, praesidia and a junior Curia reported. 9 juniors joined the senior ranks. A bar-worker and two drug addicts were helped to reform their lives and now have employment. 547 prisoners were visited, 67 were catechised and 17 released through their efforts at rehabilitation. San Pedro Comitium supervises 2 affiliated senior Curia, 17 directly attached senior praesidia and a junior Curia. A Holiday Apostolate project was undertaken. Papua New Guinea: Rabaul Regia covers the New Guinea islands. They have 67 parishes and 43 are without the Legion. The Regia supervises 15 Comitia, 15 directly attached senior Curiae, 6 directly attached senior praesidia and a junior Curia; three of the junior praesidia are situated in an Institution. Mount Hagen Regia awaits the appointment of a Spiritual Director.

Mindanao Senatus: Several reports feature marriage validations followed by Baptism of the couple’s children. Praesidia in one Regia conduct catechism classes in the Elementary and High Schools, also pre-marriage courses and pre-Baptism classes for parents. A Curia organised a Mass for sick and elderly people with an attendance of 132. Legionaries from the Senatus had 25 students at a Legion-Orientation course in Xavier University. A praesidium of 15 members, all City Hall employees meet at 1p.m. during their lunch hour.

AUSTRALIA
Sydney Senatus: Parish praesidia report on excellent apostolate: Distribution of Holy Communion in nursing homes: Providing Rosary beads: Arranging anointing of the sick and promoting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, with many returns to the practice of the Faith. Praesidia work very closely with the priests. Members of the Vietnamese Comitium visit a Detention Centre, assist the catechumens and help with the preparation for Baptism. Lapsed Catholics are encouraged to return to the Sacraments and scripture is taught to children from the Youth Movement. Families are consecrated to the Sacred Heart. The Frank Duff Cause is promoted.

Melbourne Senatus: The Senatus reports the setting up of new praesidia. Adelaide Comitium, with 3 attached Curia set up 3 new praesidia. The Vietnamese Curia has 8 senior praesidia and l junior praesidium. Flemington Comitium has 16 attached praesidia and 3 Curiae. A new praesidium for young adults was set up. As a result of catechism classes, 11 people were baptised. Patrician meetings and Retreats were held. A fun day for juniors had an attendance of 70 juniors and 40 adults. Prayer for vocations is encouraged in schools. Sr. Jenny Davis was appointed as an extension worker for one year to the Wilcannia Forbes Diocese.

Brisbane Comitium: A successful Retreat was held and a new praesidium set up on 8th.Sept. Two praesidia presented their 1st.Annual Reports. Home visitation featured. The praesidia work closely with the priests of the parish. Other works include catechism classes, teaching the Rosary and Angelus to school children. One praesidium helps out in a Soup Kitchen run by the Missionary Sister of Charity; this involves preparing and serving meals and the legionaries make a special effort to talk to those who attend.
In Tasmania the Detention Centre and prison are visited. Rosary beads and brown Scapulars are distributed at the Seamen’s Mission.

NEW ZEALAND
Aukland Senatus: In Hillsborough 2 prisons are visited monthly; prayer and Scripture reading take place. One new praesidium and one Patrician group were set up. Works include, encouraging the lapsed to return to the Sacraments, showing a religious DVD (which resulted in two new Legion members), praying at wakes and visiting bereaved families. Junior members help to run the Piety Stall and do nursing home visitation with their seniors. A Curia with 11 senior praesidia and l junior praesidium promotes auxiliary, Praetorian and Adjutorian membership. Extension is on-going. Masses to commemorate Frank Duff and Venerable Edel Quinn are offered.

SOUTH AMERICA
ECUADOR
Senatus of Quito: The Senatus Extension Committee is working well. Extension also features in lower councils. In Quinche a new praesidium was formed and another revived which now has 10 members. In Portviejo, 3 new praesidia were formed, 2 of them as a result of a Mission during Holy Week in a parish where 4 legionaries are on the Parish Council. The Comitium of Santo Domingo reported 4 Exploratio Dominicalis projects.

URUGUAY
Senatus of Montevideo: A new Senatus Vice President has been elected. The Chaplain of the Military Hospital asked for male legionaries to visit it. On the request of the Bishop of Minas, a new Curia in that Diocese is being considered. Significant extension work is underway. The 7 Senatus Officers met with the Archbishop, Cardinal Daniel Sturla and thanked him for attending various Legion functions; he in turn complimented the Legion on its work on the streets. Separately, he visited their Stand at the National Youth Day where many young people were contacted.

VENEZUELA
Senatus of Caracas: There are several reports of Exploratio Dominicalis and Columban Drive Projects. The Extension Committee of the Curia of Machiques report new adult and junior praesidia. A mini-PPC was held in Puerto Fijo and a Junior Congress was held in Carúpano. In Baraquisimeto the Legion utilises a book barrow and evangelises in Liquor Stores.

CHILE
Senatus of Santiago: The legionaries of Coquimbo and Copiapo, where the tsunami hit, are helping those who have lost everything. The Comitium of Rancagua visits not only city, but outlying areas. They report setting up a junior praesidium. Contact is made in a local soup kitchen. The Regia of Temuco reaches out to the Mapuche Indians, partaking in their New Year celebrated in June. Other works include music classes for children, Bible Study groups and recruiting for Adoration. While visiting a prisoner in hospital, the guard, who was handcuffed to the prisoner, joined in the prayers.

BOLIVIA
Senatus of La Paz: Many references are made to promoting Alfie Lambe’s Cause. Two Senatus officers will spend a few days visiting praesidia in Riberalta and working with local legionaries. The Comitium of Oruro, where Alfie Lambe set up praesidia with the miners, held their Annual Retreat. In Tarija the members of a prayer group have started a junior praesidium. Pope Francis’ words from his recent visit are warmly remembered; he encouraged Bolivians who have immigrated to spread their faith. Legionaries evangelise amongst pilgrims who travel for miles to take part in the Annual Novenas.

PERU
Senatus of Lima: 5 Comitia, 10 Curiae and 3 praesidia reported in this period. A number of Curiae visit the prison in their area. One Curia is setting up a praesidium in the local prison. Two prisoners (an Evangelist and a Mormon) were received into the Catholic Church. A new praesidium has been set up in a Curia attached to the Senatus. 17 new members were recruited and 12 made their promise. Reports mention promotion of the Causes. In the north of the country there is only one Regia, which leaves the Senatus with a large number of attached councils. This issue is being addressed.

PARAGUAY
Senatus of Asunción: One Juvenile Comitium with 16 Curiae and 16 praesidia attached has 2,545 active members, 2,000 auxiliares and six Patrician groups. A new Comitium was set up in the Diocese of Neembuck, 320km from Asuncion. A new Curia has also been set up in Ybycui, a remote region in the south-west of Paraguay. Works mentioned include home and hospital visitation, catechesis, recruiting of catechists, praying with residents in Institutions, reconciling marriage partners and looking after the many prison praesidia. Auxiliaries are visited and invited to the Acies.

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IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORT

COMITIA
Carlow Comitium: Efforts to establish the Legion in Tynock are on-going; visitation is taking place. The Comitium (including Laois and Kildare Curiae) were responsible for the Legion Stand during the National Ploughing Championships. In excess of 4,000 Miraculous Medals, also many leaflets were distributed. Booklets and DVDs were sold. Names were taken of those who expressed an interest in active or auxiliary membership.
Kildare Curia: Legionaries distributed leaflets promoting the parish Mission. Laois Curia: Members of the praesidium in the Sue Ryder Complex visit the adjoining nursing home and pray for vocations to the Religious life.

Elphin Comitium: Praesidia reports received at Comitium were from Ballyleague with 5 members and Ballymoe with 7 members. Both praesidia visit local nursing homes and a hospital in addition to home visitation. Ballymoe legionaries visited a 107 year old parishioner shortly before he died. North Elphin Curia: At their August meeting a lively discussion took place on recruiting new members. One idea mentioned was the printing of recruiting cards. It was stressed that the best method of recruiting is personal contact. Sligo legionaries did contact work at the Fleadh Ceoil during 10th-16th August and many good contacts were made. The legionaries were accompanied by Fr. Colm Mannion, O.P. who happened to be doing relief work in Sligo Dominican Priory. Dressed in his Dominican robes Fr. Colm was described as being “like a magnet” with people coming from everywhere to speak to him and receive his blessing.

Tuam Comitium: Kilken/Clonbern praesidium has 7 members who on their home visitation recruit for Eucharistic Adorers. Dunmore praesidium has 6 members. In addition to Fatima statue visitation they organise weekly Eucharistic Adoration and recite the Rosary at the local cemetery every Sunday during May and November. They took the Fatima statue to the local school in May, prayed with the children and told them the story of Fatima. They gave 30 Miraculous Medals and First Communion prayer cards to the children who received their First Holy Communion. Mountbellew praesidium members visit the local nursing home and bring Holy Communion to the residents.

CURIAE

Achonry Curia: An Anniversary Mass in honour of Frank Duff was held in Ballaghaderreen on 8th September with 3 priests concelebrating. It was well attended by legionaries, past and present from the Diocese as well as the local community. Fr. Kivlehan gave a talk on Frank Duff. The new praesidium in Colloney has 4 members.

Clonfert Curia: Three officers of the Curia attended the August Concilium meeting which they found most enlightening. A praesidium of 8 members in Ballinasloe has 70 auxiliaries. Two members are doing home visitation. Five nursing homes are visited as well as Fatima statue visitation. A second praesidium in Ballinasloe, also with 8 members, has 19 auxiliaries. Their apostolate includes hospital and nursing home visitation. Legionaries in this praesidium are doing home visitation with help from other legionaries.

Ferns Curia: Oulart senior praesidium has an attached junior praesidium with 5 members. They undertake Church works and sell Catholic newspapers. The juniors assist the seniors in this work and they also prepare the Church for Baptisms. Mass readings and a small section of the Handbook are discussed at the junior meeting. Owing to family commitments and lack of transport the praesidium is limited as to the work it can undertake. Carnew praesidium visited Rathvilly and carried out home visitation in six Estates. Two busloads of pilgrims participated in the Legion Pilgrimage to Knock. It was mentioned at the Curia meeting that in some hospital/school visitation legionaries are being asked for ID as proof of their Garda Vetting.

Killala Curia: The Curia celebrated its 900th meeting in October. Knockmore praesidium has 5 members, one of whom is a Praetorian; they have 100 auxiliaries. They visit with the Pilgrim statue and distribute Miraculous Medals while recruiting auxiliaries. Cooneal praesidium also visits with the Pilgrim statue and they undertake many and various works. The Morning Star praesidium assisted on the Heritage Stall in Ballina and carry out Pilgrim statue and nursing home visitation. A Patrician meeting on “The Power of Prayer – Acceptance” had an attendance of 12.

Kilkenny Curia: Fr. Harney, Curia Spiritual Director, gave the Allocutio at September meeting on the Year of Mercy and the importance of Confession. 23 people took part in the Curia-organised Pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Island on 19th August.

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DUBLIN NORTHSIDE

A talk on the Rosary Confraternity was given by Fr. John Walsh O.P. on October 9th in Nazareth Hall with 70 people in attendance.

Exaltata Curia: A Regina Coeli Hostel praesidium of 7 full members and 1 probationer had 7 visitors during the year. A young resident on drugs since she was 12 years old, taught herself to say the Rosary from the leaflet given her and she now wants to become a Catholic. Another resident has made great efforts to reform, even asking a legionary sister to pray with her one night.

Bethlehem Curia: Posters in city-centre Churches resulted in 3 visitors. A group of 20 attended the quarterly Edel Quinn Promoters meeting while 2 Patrician meetings had 24 patricians and 4 legionaries in attendance. A praesidium which visits homes, a hospital and sheltered homes of the Phoenix Centre (formerly St. Brendans Psychiatric Hospital), start their work with 30 minutes of street contact. They had 500 Recruitment cards printed and gave a talk to the Brazilian Community of Church Street, which resulted in 2 girls visiting the meeting; they also had 4 other visitors during the year. A praesidium of 6 members runs the De Montfort Men’s Club on two evenings every week; 28 men attended during the year, 7 of them new. Many of the men attend a monthly Mass and Lectio Divina Sessions.

Porta Coeli Curia: A praesidium of 6 members has two Pilgrim Statues in circulation. During Easter Week street contact was done outside a Shopping Centre; the times of the ceremonies were distributed along with a booklet on the Passion of Our Lord. To help recruit new members, at the suggestion of the new Parish Priest they erect the Legion altar at the front of the Church every Wednesday. As well as home and hospital visitation they are a Pioneer Council and set up a table in the Church every month to enrol new members.

Veneranda Curia: A praesidium with 7 members, 2 of them probationers, has 4 Praetorians. The Dochas Women’s Prison is visited twice a week. Many former inmates are visited in their homes, including one who is bedridden and suffers from M.S. She has recently agreed to see a priest. During Park contact, a young man left his drinking colleagues and said he wanted to know about God and live a good life; he accepted holy water and a Miraculous Medal. Another praesidium does weekly home and nursing home visitation. A lapsed Catholic resolved, after a 20 minute discussion, to resume practice of the faith. 90 Maria Legionis are distributed. First Holy Communion children were given Miraculous Medals and had the Medal explained. 200 Miraculous Medals were distributed to students, including a Japanese girl of no religion and 2 Lutherans from Finland, in St. Patrick’s College on Clubs Day. The College President said he was delighted that the Legion had a Stand at the College.

Consolata Curia: 30 people attended a talk by Deacon Cody Millar on True Devotion to Mary in Portmarnock Parish Centre on Sat 19th Sept. A weekend Recruitment Drive included home visitation during which Eucharistic Adoration took place in the Church. A new praesidium in its second Annual Report, related an increase in membership from 3 to 9; there are 5 full and 4 probationary members; one of the priests of the parish has become their Spiritual Director. Legionaries pray the Rosary weekly in both the boys and girls Primary Schools. Weekly Eucharistic Adoration, started by the praesidium during Lent 2014 has continued. On May 13th the praesidium organised a Prayer Service at which a statue of Our Lady of Fatima was blessed; afterwards a woman requested it for her home and since then it has been on the move from home to home. Since February they have held a monthly Faith Discussion Group on Monday mornings which has attracted many young parents. On the feast of St. Blaise, legionaries brought blessed candles to two local schools and with the help of the teachers, blessed the children’s throats. Another praesidium does home and nursing home visitation and organises Stations of the Cross in a Housing Estate, acted out by local children. A young woman recently visited a legionary to thank the praesidium for giving her religious instruction and teaching her English some years ago; she subsequently went to Secondary School, then Trinity College and said she owes her success to the help and support she received from the legionaries.

Presentata Curia: A praesidium promoted Frank Duff’s Cause outside the Pro-Cathedral. Around 50 legionaries, from as far away as Arklow and Maynooth, took part in the half-day project in one Parish on Oct 3rd. All 4,000 homes had a religious pack delivered advertising a Parish Mission. A praesidium of 7 full and 2 probationary members pray and sing during visits to a nursing home; the staff members are amazed at how the residents calm down when the Rosary is being recited. The praesidium helped organise and publicise the blessing of the Frank Duff Room attached to Phibsboro Church by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. This was done in conjunction with another praesidium in the Parish, which has 5 full members and 1 probationer; they organise the monthly African Mass, do street contact and set up a Stand outside the Church to promote Frank Duff. The praesidium instructed a Down-Syndrome boy last year prior to his First Holy Communion; this year they prepared him for his Confirmation. The praesidium outing included a picnic and football in the Phoenix Park. Another praesidium of 6 members held Recruitment Drives in June which resulted in 4 young women attending meetings. One of their members died during the year and his mother was very appreciative of the legionaries for helping her son through a very difficult time. They regularly visit their 30 auxiliary members, do street contact and frequently visit Cuan Mhuire and the Camino Centre (for drug addict’s rehabilitation). A homeless man was helped to find accommodation.
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AFRICA
GHANA
Accra Senatus: Consolata Orwa, President of the Senatus of Kenya and the Concilium Correspondent for Ghana, Janet Lowthe attended the 75th Anniversary celebrations, visited Accra Senatus, Kumasi and Sunyani Regiae, Cape Coast Comitium and Tamale Curia. They were warmly welcomed and had fruitful meetings with the officers of these councils and were very privileged to meet a number of the hierarchy, who all had great praise for the Legion in Ghana.

EGYPT
Senatus of Egypt: This council held a general 3 day Conference in Cairo for junior legionaries from the different councils of Egypt. The Conference was opened by his Beatitude, the Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Ishak and included daily Mass, workshops, lectures, games, Holy Hour and hymns.
Cape Verde Regia: The Regia is planning to set up a Curia on the small distant Salt Island. Each of the 9 islands will have at least one Curia. There are 11 Comitia in Cape Verde. A praesidium on the main island of Santiago carried out 3 Exploratio projects during the year.
Guinea-Bissau: Situated on the African mainland, this area also has a Comitium. Some of its members take part in PPC on Cape Verde. Visitation of immigrants is also reported. In the island of Santo Antao the Curia reports the preparation of 50 youths for Confirmation and 275 for First Holy Communions. Since presenting three monthly rather than annual council reports more details are provided.

ANGOLA
Luanda Senatus: A new Senatus President was elected in September. A Curia was raised to Comitium in August. Another Comitium announced the setting up of a new Curia that same month. A praesidium with 21 active members and ten auxiliaries visited 380 people in hospital and 250 on home visitation. They visited also 192 people in a home for the elderly and 169 prisoners and taught catechism to 25 children, 30 youths and 25 adults. Another praesidium of 24 active members and 8 auxiliaries did home visitation and visitation of the sick at home and in hospital. They recruited six adults and six youths for catechism class and encouraged ten people to attend Mass. Several legionaries were appointed to represent the Legion at the Second National Congress of Catholic Laity in Luanda 15-21 June. Conclusions and recommendations from this Congress were read and distributed at the July meeting of the Senatus.

Benguela Senatus: A Curia with 21 praesidia set up three new praesidia. Another Curia has as its principal works visits to the sick in hospital and to prisoners. The Lubango Regia has 14 praesidia directly affiliated, 27 Curiae and 17 Comitia, one of which is a junior Comitium. A new Comitium and a new Curia were set up. The Regia has 35,366 members. The Huambo Regia has 15,301 members. Their works included preparation of 148 catechumens for Baptism, 474 persons for First Holy Communion and 37 couples for marriage. Prison visitation is carried out. A new Comitium was set up. The Regia of Kwito-Bié has 11,843 active members and 3,008 auxiliaries. They also established a new Comitium.

MOZMBIQUE
Maputo Regia: Reports indicate that the Legion of Mary is working very well. Five new Curiae have been set up, including three in 2014. The Comitium in the neighbouring Diocese of Xai-Xai presented reports in January and June. This council has 32 catechists. In his Allocutio at the June meeting, the Spiritual Director said “we are going to revitalise our Legion.” One Curia reported 15 adults baptised and nine confirmed. Another had ten adult Baptisms. Two Curiae reported 24 and 36 visits to a prison.

ZIMBABWE
Harare Curia: Praesidia get good notice from the Curia to present their reports.

Cape Town Senatus: The Senatus is making a big effort to visit attached praesidia and councils and correspondents are encouraged to write a monthly letter and to receive Minutes from their councils. Their annual reunion had the theme “Walk Down Memory Lane.” One praesidium utilises a book barrow.

Johannesburg Senatus: Membership at praesidia level is good and members undertake home, hospital, prison visitation. They also contact homeless people in the Parks and some people are referred to the Rehabilitation Centre for addicts.

Esigodini Comitium: A young man who was badly injured in a car accident is reading the Legion Handbook. He believes that by praying the Legion prayers he will walk again. A lady who had a tumour on her leg and wasn’t responding to medical treatment was cured after a legionary supplied her with Holy water. The lady and her family are now baptised Catholics.

Durban Comitium: There are 4 praesidia and one Curia attached to this Comitium. The annual Retreat was planned for September. Matatiele Curia has 14 attached praesidia.

NAMIBIA
The Legion in Namibia is under caretakership of Cape Town Senatus. 3 legionaries from the Senatus visited Namibia in August. There are 13 praesidia with 187 active members. 88 attended a meeting with the visitors on the theme “Back to basics.” The language is mainly Afrikaans but there are a few English-speaking legionaries. A visit to other areas of Namibia is planned for 2016.
Lesotho Senatus: The new Lesotho Handbook has been published and a copy sent to Concilium for its archive of Handbooks in different languages.

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