Concilium Bulletin - October 2013
ASIA
TAIWAN
Taiwan Senatus: Many works are church related but there are signs of increased home visitation and crowd contact been undertaken. Two mobile book stands are the means of contact near bus stations. A praesidium on a remote island has resumed its meetings and is now in regular contact with the Senatus. A new praesidium mainly of aboriginals has been established and 8 other praesidia were set up during the year with 3 closing in the same period. Auxiliary and Adjutorians are being recruited among the older generation. Bible study was organised for the Year of Faith. Since the Eucharistic Congress legionaries have arranged and sustained Eucharistic adoration in many churches.
b>MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur Regia: The theme of the Annual Retreat was “Biblical Journey through Mass” given by Fr. Manickam. A Filipino praesidium of 20 members and 4 probationers has 35 auxiliaries, doing home and hospital visitation and run classes for migrants. A recruitment day was held; however, due to work commitments not all members could do this work. 14 council reports were taken in this period involving 918 members and 9 probationers. Sunday schools, RCIA, Youth groups and BEC gatherings all feature, in addition to the usual works of contacting lapsed, sick and lonely people.
JAPAN
Osaka Senatus: Tokyo Regia celebrated its 100th meeting in December. One praesidium visits the sick and housebound bringing Holy Communion; another praesidium visit with the priest on his Communion calls and also visit mentally ill. In Our Lady of Lourdes praesidium, legionaries gather aluminium cans and bottles for recycling as a true devotion to the nation exercise, and also visit handicapped people.
INDONESIA
Malang Senatus: A Curia in East Java visiting its praesidia emphasised juniors and Exploratio Dominicalis. A Comitium in Northern Sulawesi formed a junior praesidium and one in the prison works in 2 languages and pray and visit sick prisoners. Surabaya Comitium has visited parishes without the Legion, visited orphanages, houses for old and poor and the homeless victims of the Merap volcanic eruption.
Jakarta Senatus: Mother of Hope Curia promotes Eucharistic Adoration, teaching of catechism and visits the sick. One praesidium has been nurturing a praesidium in an orphanage. Kilamantan (formerly Borneo) has set up a number of praesidia. Medan Regia in Aceh has been urged to expand. 10 prisoners were instructed by Holy Family Comitium and 8 have been baptised.
KOREA
Seoul Senatus: Suwon Regia gave its annual report showing an increase of 358 senior and 100 junior members, bringing its total membership to 33,902. Auxiliary and praetorian membership has also increased. 92,808 catechumens were recruited, of which 9,906 were baptised. There were 12,143 returns to the sacraments. Wongu Regia has a total of 3,919 seniors a decrease of 106 and 3,161 auxiliaries a decrease of 122. 9,757 catechumens were recruited of which 853 were baptised and 1,172 lapsed returned to the sacraments.
Daegu Senatus: 2500 legionaries attended Our Lady’s Night ceremony, organised by the Senatus in May, the Archbishop was the chief celebrant. Also in May the Legion of Mary was introduced to newly ordained Deacons in the Archdiocese. Gyorgsan Burmeo, Daehae Comitia all provided details of numbers of catechumens and others recruited. Over a 5-month period a Curia recruited 21 active and 19 auxiliary members, while the second Curia recruited 16 active and 20 auxiliary members. There was a discussion on material relief at the July Senatus meeting.
Singapore Senatus: Two Curiae were formed; one a junior Curia in Kenningau and the other a senior Curia in Kuching. A former legionary was ordained a priest.
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ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires Senatus: A good number of legionaries and non-legionaries participated in the annual walk to Alfie Lambe’s grave to celebrate his birthday. Homes of non-Catholics are visited and legionaries have been instrumental in many returning to the Church. Three Evangelical families asked the legionaries for spiritual advice with their problems. A junior Curia reported that three of its legionaries entered the seminary. A meeting was held to plan the summer extension and fill the teams that will go to many distant councils of the Senatus.
Cordoba Senatus: A local Curia reported amongst other works they have 8 Patricians groups. In another Cordoba City Curia legionaries bring an image of Our Lady to businesses, and one praesidium organised a ‘Mariology Conference’. The Comitium of San Juan reported a praesidium was set up in the Seminary. Staff in prisons appreciate the visit of legionaries and the prison chaplain supports the Legion very much.
Salta Senatus: Junior legionaries are very prominent in the Senatus; many of them do street contact with the 100,000 pilgrims and tourists who flood the city each year for the Novena of Our Lord and Our Lady of the Miracle. One Curia reported that apart from assigned works 4,691 people were invited to be legionaries and 1,536 personal contacts were made.
Corrientes Regia: A praesidium reported visiting parents of sick children where they stay next door to the paediatric hospital. The Comitium of Posadas had a planning meeting and has an extension plan in place.
Rosario Regia: In Parana Comitium, statue visitation is among the works. Legionaries meet many people of other religions and talk to them about the Catholic Faith. Legionaries visit an area with serious problems of security. This area is only visited by legionaries.
BRAZIL
Belem Senatus: The newly appointed Senatus Spiritual Director intends to visit all the parishes to promote the Legion. A Comitium reports that visitation has resulted in 7 returns to the Sacraments and 4 returned from the Protestant sects. Another Comitium reports the preparation for baptism of 14 youths, 439 visits to auxiliaries and distribution of 90 short breviaries.
Belo Horizonte Senatus: Home visitation to families separated from the Church involves Gospel readings. Street sweepers are contacted on street apostolate. Hospital visitation by a praesidium that works in close partnership with the Chaplain involves promotion of prayer and the Sacraments among the patients as well as works of comfort. Another praesidium brings Holy Communion to the old and housebound. The Legion in the town of Nova Granada is involved with the parish priest in planning the pastoral work of the parish council. Ten seminarians are auxiliary members. The Regia of Uberlandia reports 4 new praesidia set up.
Fortaleza Senatus: A Comitium in Fortaleza, in a 3-month period, had 1,618 visits to homes and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in 31 homes. Hospital visitation and preparation of people for the sacraments was also done.
Ponta Grossa Senatus: Reports show great numbers of visits to homes and hospitals. Five families returned to the Church after novenas and invitations. Fifteen young people received their First Holy Communion. People living on the streets are evangelised and employment was obtained for some of them. Seven young people of others faiths were baptised in the Catholic Church and received the Eucharist.
Recife Senatus: The Senatus is eagerly awaiting the two-day National Spiritual Directors’ Conference. The sick are helped with housework and in other ways. The Regia of Maceio reports the preparing of 568 youths and adults for First Communion. One Curia in this Regia area, the State of Alagoas, set up 8 praesidia.
Rio de Janeiro Senatus: Two Spiritual Directors attended the August meeting including the newly appointed Director, Fr. Fabio Siqueira. Fr. Fabio succeeds Bishop Dom Edson Castro Homem, Auxiliary Bishop of Rio and representative to the Legion of the National Bishop’s Conference. At the Legion stand at the World Youth Day exhibition 2,257 signed the visitors’ book. An older member commented to the special Legion gathering after WYD that she could, like Simeon, die in peace, having seen the future of the Legion guaranteed by so many young members. The visit of the two legionaries from Concilium was greatly appreciated and the Senatus felt truly honoured. Bishop Edson is looking forward to a Legion Day in Poland in three years time.
Salvador Senatus: The August meeting had the presence of 14 young visitors fresh from the World Youth Day and Legion Day. They told the meeting the events in Rio gave them a more determined spirit and commitment to the Church and Our Lady.
Sao Luis Senatus: Reports show 86 recruited for active membership in one month and 40 in another month. Visitation of homes frequently involves Bible study, cenacles and recitation of the Rosary. The principal concrete results are the reception of the Sacraments. An annual Bible procession is held through the streets of Sao Luis with prayers and readings.
Sao Paulo Senatus: The death of Mercedes Silva Modero marked the end of an era for the Sao Paulo Senatus; she gave great legionary service over many years, helping with extension and the development of the Legion and participating in a great many PPC projects. May her generous soul rest in peace. Reports to the Senatus show works include home and hospital visitation, visits to the elderly, bringing Holy Communion to the sick at home, and visits and return visits to people of other religions.
Brasilia Regia: In the presence of the Spiritual Director, Bishop John Evangelist Terra and the newly appointed assistant Spiritual Director, Fr. Isaias, elections were duly and properly conducted for 3 vacant officerships. The new president had formerly been a President of the Regia and has visited Dublin.
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EUROPE
AUSTRIA
Austrian Senatus: Good attention appears to be given to visitation of homes throughout the councils. The report records visits made to 3,300 homes, 800 of these were student homes visited by a student praesidium in Vienna. Most of the councils organised retreats. The Filipino Curia in Vienna had an attendance of 60 at their retreat. It was recommended that extension efforts around Austria should involve local legionaries. There were 120 participants at a retreat organised by Wienerwald Comitium and the lectures were carried on EWTN. Zwetti Comitium started a new Patricians meeting and Innsbruck Comitium set up 2 new groups. Klagenfurt Comitium distributed “Words of Life” by Venerable Edel Quinn during three pilgrimages organised in May. The Curia in Vienna reported that legionaries arranged for a Moslem man’s 4 year-old son to be baptised a Catholic in fulfilment of the wish of the child’s deceased mother. Hollanbrunn Comitium reported the baptism of 3 children from a Moslem family with the permission of their parents. PPC teams went to Lourdes, Bratislava in Slovakia and to Hamburg and Erfurt in Germany. Cardinal Schoenborn praised the work of the Legion in the parishes he visited.
BULGARIA
The Legion now exists in 2 of the 3 dioceses. There are 8 praesidia with a total of 70 active legionaries and many auxiliaries. “Can we be Saints” has been printed in Bulgarian and the Handbook translation is almost complete.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague Comitium did extension in 9 areas and started 2 new praesidia. The praesidium in Kyje had to close after 32 meetings as no one would take the Promise.
MOLDOVIA
Retreats were held in 3 centres. Parish works include visitation of the sick and elderly and assisting at funerals. Legionaries also help with a children’s centre and run a children’s group of 16.
SLOVAKIA
Trnava Curia started a new praesidium and a contact returned to the sacraments after 37 years.
UKRAINE
Elisabeth Kriss along with a correspondent from the Austrian Senatus spent 6 weeks visiting councils in Ukraine. They visited the Curiae in Berditschew and Norvograd, Woliknsk and the Comitium in Schitmir. They met 2 Greek Catholic Bishops in Donetsk and Schowkwa and contacted a third in Odessa by e-mail. Other issues discussed included a meeting of Spiritual Directors for Holy Week 2014 and a new translation of the Russian Tessera. Short visits were made to Lemberg, Kamenets, Harkow and the Curia in Nikolaew.
BELARUS
Visitation of attached councils by the Comitium is faithfully undertaken. The annual 3-day retreat was held in Baranovichi. Every praesidium is engaged in extension but finding sufficient Catholics in a region to start a praesidium can be difficult. Smorgon praesidium, directly attached to the Comitium, has set up another praesidium. Works include visitation of hospitals, asylums and orphanages and bringing the Priest to administer the Sacraments, preparing children for First Communion and Confirmation, organising first Saturday and other devotions, praying at funerals, street and park contact and visiting women’s consultation clinics. Junior legionaries make contacts in their school play yard. One girl organised a talk in her school about the birth of Jesus. Archbishop Kondrusevich met with legionaries and thanked them for their work and suggested they organise work with young people and children.
CROATIA
Zagreb Regia: A praesidium of 15 members visits a hospital for prisoners accompanied by a psychologist and a prison guard. Many prisoners go to Confession and attend Holy Mass following the visits of the legionaries. Very good work programmes are undertaken by the attached Curiae. The Curia at Bjclovar-Krizevei carried out 4 Exploratio Dominicalis projects. Dugo Selo Curia has 12 praesidia and a junior Curia with 6 praesidia. In addition to other works they conduct 7 Nazareth groups and 5 Patricians. Zagreb South Curia gained 16 new auxiliary and 15 adjutorian members.
BOSNIA HERZGOVINA
Sarajevo Curia has 7 praesidia, 200 auxiliary and 11 adjutorian members. As a result of home visitation 3 people received the Sacraments after a long time.
SLOVENIA
There are 2 praesidia in Ljubljana. A legionary in one of the praesidia recently took the Legion promise.
HUNGARY
Budapest Regia: A new praesidium of 5 members was set up. Jazbereny Curia visited 10 parishes in a 6-month period and set up praesidia in 3 of them. Legionaries in one praesidium provided spiritual support to patients with cancer and helped them convert to Catholicism. Csiksomlyo Curia in Romania invited people to a 3-day preparation for Easter. Kistaresa Curia distributed medals and pictures of the Mercy of God which had significant results. Sick people asked to receive the Sacraments after 30 to 40 years.
LATVIA
Riga Comitium has 12 directly attached praesidia and 3 Curiae with a total of 14 praesidia. Rezekne Curia legionaries had a Legion Stand during the weekend pilgrimage to Our Lady of Aglona. It attracted great attention and many names and addresses for follow up were given. Liepija Curia: This Curia has 2 praesidia attached; 2 Curiae closed despite a lot of effort to keep them functioning. Curia has received permission to start a praesidium in Priekule. Jelgava Curia: Bishop Anton Justs has written an article about the Legion for the 2014 Church Calendar.
LITHUANIA
Kaunas Comitium has 7 attached Curiae. Visitation of praesidia and extension efforts feature in all minutes. In the course of home visitation legionaries promote the Cause of Frank Duff and encourage non-Catholics to consider coming into the Catholic Church. The priest was brought to meet 5 families and a family of 4 is under instruction. Assumpta curia started a junior praesidium of 6 girls in a local school. Telsiai Comitium has increased the number of their attached praesidia from 10 to 11. In the course of visitation legionaries encourage attendance at Mass and the Sacraments. One person went to Confession after 20 years. Queen of the Family Curia reported the visitation of 1,420 families during the period February to May 2013.
POLAND
Lublin Regia: In the course of their visitation legionaries promoted the Rosary through Rosary Circles, they distribute the Catholic Press and invitations to enclosed retreats. Czestochowa Comitium pray the Rosary on Radio Fiat. 9 legionaries went on PPC. The question of extension into the 10 remaining dioceses in the Lubelski region which are without the Legion has been raised.
Warsaw Comitium: Warsaw Praga has 3 Curiae and 14 praesidia, 500 active and 820 auxiliary members. 2 new praesidia have been started in Warsaw Zoliborz Curia. A written request has been sent to the Archbishop of Gdansk for permission to create a Curia from the 3 praesidia in the North of Poland. The 19th National Pilgrimage of the Legion of Mary to Jasna Gore gathered 6,000 legionaries. H.E. Roman Marcinkowski, Bishop Protector of the Legion and National Spiritual Director, Fr. Janusz Wegszecki concelebrated the Mass with 80 Spiritual Directors.
ROMANIA
Satu Mare Regia: All praesidia reporting have good membership and are engaged in solid apostolate. Some of the works mentioned are teaching children to pray, visiting a centre for the homeless and much attention to promoting and organising adoration. Oradea Comitium evangelises on the street, in the parks as well as in the surgery and oncology departments of the hospital where Miraculous Medals are offered to all.
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AFRICA
BURUNDI
Two new Comitia in the Diocese of Ngozi, one at Gisenya and the other at Buraniro reported at the May and June Senatus meetings respectively and two other Comitia from the Diocese of Rutana in August. Reports gave details of covering spiritual encouragement to children staying away from school, to alcoholics, to families with un-baptised children and to troubled couples. Recruiting is done among adults, in primary schools and in the higher level colleges.
RWANDA
Kigali Senatus: The Senatus has the prayers of Frank Duff and Edel Quinn in the local language Kinyarwanda approved by the Spiritual Directors; they hope that Alfie Lambe’s prayer will be approved in the near future. The Senatus organised a youth conference in July lasting 3 days at which 320 young people participated. It was classed as being a great success and got the blessing of the Bishop of the Diocese.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The National Spiritual Director, Abbe Giscard-Donald Assang, speaking at a recent Senatus meeting, referred to the countrywide distress: the power failures, the bridges destroyed, the persons driven from their homes and the lives lost. He urged the legionaries to hold fast to the Commandments of God and of the Church, to have each family imitate the Holy Family, even in the midst of troubled situations.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Butembo Senatus: Three Comitia were set up at Vatase, Lume and Kaliro since July 2013 and a young people’s Curia was set up in the parish of Mukuna. Works include marriages blessed and reconciliation carried out; large numbers of baptisms; alcoholics and drug addicts giving up the habit; advice to children and teaching them prayers. The Spiritual Director asked them to do the Stations of the Cross every Friday for peace in the region and for children doing exams. Also for the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady invited contacts to participate in processions carrying Our Lady’s statue to the Lourdes shrine. Recitation of the Rosary during the month of October was emphasised and blessed Rosary beads were distributed. 51 legionaries from the Senatus are preparing to make a pilgrimage to Rome to participate in the closure of the ‘Year of Faith’. Prayers were requested for the captive priests missing since September 2012.
Kinshasa Senatus: The Senatus continues to combine with Brazzaville Regia for extension and other purposes. Kinshasa officers visited its affiliated Regia of Kisangani.
Kananga Senatus: This Senatus governs the Regia at Mbuji Mayi in East Kasai. Minutes indicate that the visitation of attached councils is being carried out and Curia and praesidia reports show solid work
MAURITIUS
Rose-Hill Comitium, attached to Immaculate Virgin, Mediatrix of all Graces Regia, is composed of 200 members and 150 auxiliaries. They organised a weekend retreat, the theme being, importance of Baptism. Praesidia reports mention visits to the sick and elderly, bringing Holy Communion to invalids, catechising the young, organising prayer groups, etc. The Regia organised their annual visit to the island of Rodrigues where there are many legionaries. They also hosted a 2-day visit for legionaries from Reunion, having a special Mass, finishing up at the beach called Le Plage de Morne to join in festivities afterwards.
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