Concilium Bulletin September 2024
REPORTS
DUBLIN NORTHSIDE CURIAE
Presentata Curia
Curia outing took place to St. Enda’s House and Park. A mini book club was arranged over five consecutive Saturdays where some of Frank Duff’s pamphlets were discussed as well as books about now Servant of God Frank Duff. A praesidium held an auxiliary rally recently. Curia congress is organised for November. Recent Patricians meeting topics were ‘Prayer’ and ‘Our Lady of Consolation’. Ten (10) attended both meetings, four (4) of whom were non-legionaries. A praesidium’s main works include volunteering in the hostel, street contact, supporting Mary’s Channel of Grace and running the monthly sodality. Another praesidium’s main work is volunteering in the Regina Coeli hostel, where they show Catholic videos, lead First Saturday devotions and organised a Lenten retreat for the residents. A resident of the hostel and a lady met on street contact have both become Catholic, while another is receiving instruction in the faith. Another resident received the sacrament of confirmation.
Exaltata Curia
Two members of a praesidium are indoor sisters in the Regina Coeli Hostel. Each week they help with meals and talk with residents. They also carry out arts & crafts activities with the residents. One sister looks after decorating the altar for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and the November remembrance of the Holy Souls. At Christmas and Easter, the praesidium distributes the parish newsletter, and in November the Altar List of the Dead forms to over four hundred (400) homes. The praesidium carried out an Exploratio project in St. Patrick’s Parish, Corduff recently. Forty-two (42) legionaries, auxiliaries and non-legionaries travelled to Our Lady’s Island, Co. Wexford on 15th August for the annual outing. It was very interesting to visit a site to which pilgrimages have been made for one thousand and four hundred years (1,400) years. The Frank Duff prayer is recited daily at the end of each Holy Hour in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Huntstown between 1-5 pm. Curia visitation of praesidia is continuing. A praesidium which was active in the parish from 2009 to 2017, and which closed down due to the retirement of most of its members was reactivated about twelve (12) months ago. The main work since then of that praesidium has been home visitation, with over one thousand and four hundred (1,400) homes visited in the past twelve (12) months. They are accompanied in this work by their Spiritual Director Fr. Adrian Crowley, whenever he is available. Recently, they have been offering the Pilgrim Statue to parishioners.
Veneranda Curia
A praesidium recently held its four thousand, three hundred and eighteenth (4,318th) meeting at which two new members, a husband and wife took their Legion promise. Their main works are book barrow on Finglas Main Street where Miraculous Medals, Rosaries and Legion literature are distributed. Contacts are encouraged to return to Mass and confessions. Members assist the new praesidium in Ballygall. Nursing home visitation is also undertaken. A curia bus to Knock has been organised. Another praesidium’s main works are home visitation and street contact, though members are still hoping and praying that they will be given permission to resume their pre-Covid work of visitation of prisoners in Mountjoy.
Bethlehem Curia
On the Eve of the Assumption of Our Lady, curia members carried out street contact outside the Legion of Mary house on Mountjoy Square. Contacts were invited in for Adoration and to light a candle. The book barrow was also available outside. Many contacts were made and one man in particular had a long discussion with legionaries about the Catholic faith. An Edel Quinn promoters’ meeting will be held on 11th September. Discussion at curia focuses on recruitment, as the curia seeks growth in members. Legionaries were encouraged to read page seventy (p. 70) of the handbook which addresses the issue of low membership of praesidia.
Consolata Curia
The quarterly gathering of all legionaries to pray for an increase in membership was held in July. Mass was followed by Adoration and the Legion of Mary prayers. The Legion of Mary Altar and Legion of Mary Banner were displayed. The annual curia outing took place on 14th September, with Mass followed by a visit to St. Audoen’s Church Visitor Centre and Graveyard. The day concluded with a tour of Myra House given by Br. Dixon. “Night Light” was held in St. Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, recently. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed and confessions were available. All were invited to light a candle and write a prayer petition also. Outreach to Balbriggan is planned for October. A weekly book barrow on Swords Main Street has been operating for the last few months. The curia annual visit to Frank Duff’s grave took place on Sunday 28th July. The Frank Duff Prayer Meeting is held, monthly, in St. Cronan’s parish. Two curia officers attended Young Adult Conference and Shadows on the Wall events. A legionary who went on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) to London gave a report to curia. A praesidium’s main works are home visitation, Fatima Statue visitation, beach contact, and praying the rosary weekly in a boys’ primary school. Legionaries also lead the Rosary at the Grotto, daily, during May and October and also on Sundays and on Our Lady’s Feast days. The rosary is prayed in the cemeteries during November. For almost four years the praesidium has led morning prayer, rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet on zoom, which is attended by non-legionaries. Spiritual advice and instruction is shared at this morning gathering. A fortnightly Bible Study also attracts non-legionaries. New works include leading Lenten services, promoting the First Saturdays Devotion, and the purchasing of a Travelling Crib which was brought to parishioner’s homes during Advent. The praesidium has three (3) probationaries, one of whom was recruited on home visitation. The praesidium arranges a bus for the annual pilgrimage to Knock each year. Another praesidium’s works include nursing home visitation and home visitation, where they are assisted by a neighbouring praesidium. Legionaries make up prayer packs and present them to pupils preparing for confirmation. A parishioner and former Dublin footballer talks about his faith and prayers. Miraculous Medals and explanatory leaflets are given to parents at baptisms. Maria Legionis and the Alive magazine are distributed in the Portmarnock and Malahide areas. During the month of May, legionaries were invited by the parish priest to erect a Legion Altar in the Church displaying Legion of Mary literature.
Porta Coeli Curia
Porta Coeli Curia is low in membership despite recruiting being on the agenda at each meeting. A young member recently returned to Belgium where she hopes to join, or start a praesidium in her area. Works include home and Nursing Home visitation where Miraculous Medals, Green Scapulars and religious leaflets are distributed. Occasional street contact is done. In one nursing home, patients are informed of Mass times in the Oratory and escorted to Mass. Three (3) members help some seniors with shopping and one member brings Holy Communion to two housebound people. One hundred (100) copies of Maria Legionis are delivered each quarter.
IRELAND
COMITIA
Thurles Comitium
The president of the comitium has appealed for a better attendance at the comitium meeting. Praesidia reports: Our Lady of Grace junior praesidium has seven (7) active members and five (5) auxiliary members. Their works are leading the Rosary at the Grotto in housing estates, helping with the May Procession and Corpus Christi Procession, altar serving among many other activities. A praesidium of four (4) active members and forty-three (43) auxiliaries gave its fifty-sixth (56th) annual report. Works include Pilgrim Statue visitation. The legionaries visited a former member until she died at the age of one hundred and four (104). May she rest in peace.
Tipperary Curia held a Day of Evangelisation at Super Value in the town on 13th May where many Miraculous Medals were distributed to students and others. Reports were given on Maria et Patria (MEP) projects in Nenagh and Tuam. Tipperary and Knockainey acquired one new member each. Twenty (20) legionaries and two Spiritual Directors took part in the project in Nenagh where over one thousand (1,000) homes were visited. A large number of Miraculous Medals were distributed. Two lapsed Catholics agreed to go to confession. One lady returned to Mass after a long time. One of the contacts said that he felt as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders.
Cashel Curia reports that the revived praesidium in Cashel has four (4) members and a Spiritual Director. The annual Venerable Edel Quinn Mass at the Memorial Park in Clonmel on 3rd June had over one hundred (100) people attend.
Cloyne Comitium
Due to recruiting efforts a praesidium in Cloyne has gained two new members. The praesidium in Mitchelstown has acquired one new member also. The Patrician meeting in Mitchelstown continues to have a good attendance.
East Cloyne Curia was delighted to welcome the curia’s new Spiritual Director. The attached praesidia are being visited and one member has been on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC).
Cork Comitium
The works of a praesidium of five (5) members are street contact and home visitation with another praesidium. The Miraculous Medal is widely accepted and the legionaries engage in many fruitful discussions. The Edel Quinn prayer group is held every Thursday. Coronata Curia has five (5) praesidia attached. A recruiting drive was held by one of the praesidia. As home visitation was not allowed, the legionaries recruited outside the Church where many contacts were made.
Kerry Comitium
Holy Mass was celebrated before the comitium meeting for the eightieth (80th) anniversary of the death of the Venerable Edel Quinn. The Rosary and Procession are carried out on the 13th of each month in Killarney. Legionaries engage in contact work at the Procession and Rosary. A Faith Camp took place in St. Oliver’s School in Killarney from the first to the fifth (1st -5th) of July. It was attended by one hundred and ten (110) children with thirty-four (34) volunteers. The children attended Holy Mass and Adoration, and engaged in drama, and sport activities based on the scriptures each day. They also received the sacrament of reconciliation.
CURIAE
Birr Roscrea Curia
The curia is currently comprised of six (6) praesidia. Our Lady Queen of the Universe praesidium gave its annual report. The praesidium has five (5) members having gained one new member during the year. The apostolate was chiefly church works carried out on a regular basis. Plans are in progress to have a full bus for the annual pilgrimage to Knock in September. The August meeting had seventeen (17) in attendance. The annual report was from Mary Queen of Ireland praesidium. There are four (4) members who are very active in all Church events, care of graves etc. They also visit nursing homes and engage in other works.
Lismore Curia
One of the praesidia attached to the curia has thirteen (13) members. The main work of that praesidium is home visitation. The sick, elderly and housebound are also visited. The retreat in Mount Melleray on 4th March was attended by some of the legionaries.
Limerick Curia
The praesidium in Castletroy gained two (2) new members. A praesidium has commenced in Raheen where a Maria et Patria (MEP) project was held last April. The praesidium annual reports were deferred for April and July.
East Clare Curia
Our Lady Queen of Peace praesidium in Killaloe has eight (8) members and have recently started home visitation with the Pilgrim statue. At the June meeting there was a discussion on the importance of home visitation and promotion of the Miraculous Medal.
Ross Curia
The Acies took place in May. The praesidium in Clonakilty had a stand at the agricultural show. Many good contacts were made and they found people very respectful and receptive. Miraculous Medals, recruiting cards and other Legion literature were distributed. Legionaries in Skibbereen have completed home visitation in a new housing estate. A letter from the parish priest was delivered to each home. Two legionaries in Darrara praesidium visited a local nursing home where the rosary was prayed with twelve (12) in attendance.
Waterford Curia
The curia has four (4) praesidia attached. The praesidium in Tramore which only started last year has its full complement of officers, and is going well. Home visitation with the Pilgrim statue is undertaken by all praesidia. Two large housing estates have had their homes blessed during the year. The legionaries prepared well in advance of this, and had a gift pack for each home including Miraculous Medals, Sacred Heart Shields and Holy water. Two priests along with the legionaries took part in this work.
EUROPE
Frankfurt Senatus
Darmstadt Curia
The curia engages in a wide variety of works. It has five hundred (500) auxiliary members. The ratio of auxiliary members to active members is roughly sixteen to one (16:1).
Berlin Comitium
The Legion was presented to the bishop on two different occasions. Mini Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) projects took place in Frankfurt.
Zurich Comitium
The Legion is growing rapidly at Zurich Comitium. Norway currently has seven (7) praesidia totalling forty-two (42) full members, eleven (11) probationers, and one hundred and thirty-one (131) auxiliary members. Works include outreach to the lapsed and to prisoners, Pilgrim Statue visitation, sacramental preparation and catechism classes for children. The Acies was celebrated in Oslo and Bergen with thirty-seven (37) legionaries and correspondents present.
Cologne Regia
The Legion was presented to a group of fifty (50) participants at a retreat in Schoenstatt. A Summit Conference of Higher Councils was held in Cologne. A great outreach was planned for Frankfurt Church Festival and at All Saints’ Church, Frankfurt.
Kazakstan Curia related that the correspondent Br. Drexler and a priest made a two-week visit to the curia. Siberia has four (4) members and a rich apostolate is being carried out.
Munich Regia
A novel work is singing to patients before surgery, thus bringing them consolation. Legionaries took part in a large gathering with great celebrations for Pentecost. A continuous novena of prayer for new members is being carried out. Extension has been carried out in Augsburg, Stuttgart, Munich and Eltz.
Freiburg Comitium will celebrate its twenty-fifth (25th) Year Jubilee. The difficulties in the curia of Curtweil are resolving.
Paris Senatus
The senatus comprises two (2) regia, four (4) comitia, four (4) curiae and twenty-three (23) directly attached praesidia. A praesidium based in St. Germain de Charonne has five (5) active members and four (4) auxiliary members. A wide array of work is being done which includes street contact, visitation of the elderly, praying the rosary, listening to and supporting the bereaved and bringing Holy Communion to the housebound.
Brussels
A praesidium of twelve (12), one of whom is new, carries out an apostolate to the sick, aged and widowed. A couple, one of whom is Moslem was contacted and legionaries continue to visit and pray with both of them. In a separate instance, a couple who had plans for divorce were reconciled following contact with the legionaries. Another praesidium with twelve (12) full members and two (2) probationers caries out an extensive range of works which includes street contact, contact at bus and tram stops, Pilgrim Statue visitation to homes during which the Rosary is recited. Days of Evangelisation are organised regularly in the city centre to encourage praesidia to take on this work. As a follow up to the recent visit of Senatus officers to Concilium, plans are being laid for extension into dioceses currently without any Legion of Mary presence and also the creation of ‘Frank Duff’ Prayer Groups.
ENGLAND
Brentwood Regia
Four (4) praesidia reported with membership of four, four, three and seven (4,4,3, and 7) members respectively. Recruiting is done through personal contact and advertising in parish bulletins and notice boards. Works undertaken include home visitation and distribution of parish information leaflets and Miraculous Medals. Children preparing for First Holy Communion were given Miraculous Medals. When visiting the sick and housebound the rosary and other prayers are prayed at times.
Council attached to Brentwood Regia:
Brentwood East Curia
The curia currently comprises eight (8) senior praesidia and 1 junior praesidium. Total senior membership is forty-eight (48) active members and seven (7) probationers and the junior praesidium has eight (8) members. One praesidium holds Rosary clubs in two primary schools. The weekly attendance at these Rosary clubs in the primary schools is approximately fifty (50). Recruiting is carried out extensively by all praesidia with one praesidium making use of social media as part of its recruiting efforts. Four (4) of the eight (8) praesidia regularly carry out home visitation. One of those praesidia makes contact with seventy-four (74) Catholics who are not currently listed in the parish register. One of those visited, a lady who had been away from practice for over thirty (30) years has been to confession. One hundred and sixty (160) lapsed Catholics met by a Pereginatio Pro Christo (PPC) team in 2023 have been followed up by the local praesidium. Members of the junior praesidium have recently commenced visitation in pairs and assisted by senior members, visit the elderly.
Central London Curia (directly affiliated to Concilium)
One senior praesidium and one junior praesidium presented annual reports. The senior praesidium is comprised of seven (7) active members, three (3) probationers, seventy-four (74) auxiliary members. Works include Pilgrim Statue visitation, book barrow and promoting the Miraculous Medal and the rosary. The junior praesidium has seven (7) to ten (10) attending regularly and works include promotion of the Miraculous Medal and altar serving.
Liverpool Senatus
The officerships of secretary and assistant secretary are still vacant.
Councils attached to Liverpool Senatus
1) Middlesbrough Comitium
Two praesidia featured in this report. One of the these praesidia has five (5) active members and ten (10) auxiliary members. The other praesidium. has nine (9) active and ten (10) auxiliary members. Works include home visitation and care home visitation. Promotion of the rosary in schools is also carried out, with approximately fifty (50) attending. The priest was told of a contact, an eighty (80) year-old lady who had not been to Mass for years. She went to confession and now receives Holy Communion weekly.
2) Warrington Curia
The curia has low membership at this time. A reporting praesidium has four (4) active members each, and one of the praesidia has twenty-four (24) auxiliary members. Works include home visitation, street contact and visitation of the sick in their homes.
3) Ashton Curia
The curia has four (4) praesidia. The main works currently are instructing twelve (12) people on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme, and running a book barrow. Extension and Recruitment Drives are ongoing.
4) Leeds Curia
The curia currently has four (4) praesidia. Two praesidia featured in this report, one of which has membership of six (6) active and twenty-six (26) auxiliary members, and the other with ten (10) active members. Works include visitation of sick and housebound people, and in some cases bringing Holy Communion.
Country under care of Liverpool Senatus:
1) SWEDEN
Three (3) praesidia featured in this report. Numbers of membership of active legionaries are five, two, and seven (5,2 and 7) in each. One of the praesidia has three (3) auxiliary members, and another has four (4) auxiliary members. The main works are visitation of the sick and housebound, visitation of the sick in hospital and in their homes and teaching catechism. Two (2) Patrician meetings were held. The new praesidium in Gothenburg is doing well with seven (7) members. The Polish praesidium in Stockholm is also doing well, but there is a problem about attending curia meetings, as the members do not understand Swedish.
Birmingham Senatus
The praesidium in Handsworth has five (5) members and eight (8) auxiliaries. It has a very good outreach to various communities, parishioners and auxiliaries. Street contact is also done. The apostolate of a praesidium of five (5) members in Oxford includes Pilgrim statue visitation during which the rosary is prayed during each visit.
1) Coventry Curia
The curia has a small number of praesidia currently. It has twenty-five (25) auxiliaries. The main works are street contact and home and hospital visitation. An apostolate to homosexual people was carried out a few times in Birmingham city with many good contacts made.
2) West Birmingham Curia
Good efforts are being made to extend the Legion of Mary in new parishes. It is hoped that following a recruiting drive, a new praesidium will result in one such parish. Four contacts are attending the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) course.
3) Northampton Comitium
An extension drive was planned for Northamptom Cathedral Parish for weekend 7th-8th September.
Councils under care of Birmingham Senatus:
1) Swansea Curia
There are six (6) senior praesidia, one junior praesidium and thirty-two (32) auxiliary members at this curia. The main works are home visitation, street contact and street rescue.
2) Leicester Curia
This curia has been out of touch for some time but is now up and running again. There are four (4) praesidia attached and the works are hospital visitation and helping with Rite of Christian of Adults (RCIA) sessions.
FINLAND (directly affiliated to Concilium)
Helsinki
The praesidium in Helsinki has eight (8) active members, three (3) of whom took the Legion Promise recently. Contact work is done at the railway and Metro stations, where many people are met and offered the Miraculous Medal. Four (4) members conduct adults Catechism on Thursday after evening Mass. Pilgrim Statue visitation to the homes is carried out also.
ASIA
ARMENIA
Mother of Homeland praesidium was set up from a women’s group after Fr. Hovsep, the new curia Spiritual Director explained to them about the Legion of Mary. Works included visitation of the sick at home. The praesidium was asked to consider inviting other parishioners to attend Bible Study. They organised a craft meeting for children who learn to make rosary beads and the children were taught how to pray the rosary. Mary Mother of Georgia praesidium gave its first report. The five (5) active members visited twenty-three (23) families and helped prepare a number of people to receive the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion.
HOLY LAND
Elections which had been delayed were carried out and three (3) of the four (4) officers have now taken up their first term of office. Two (2) praesidia and one curia reported in this period. Among works mentioned were Consecration of Homes, visitation of the sick at home and in hospital, and visiting the elderly. It happens periodically that some meetings cannot be held. The comitium asks for prayers for the Holy Land to end the war.
LEBANON
No minutes have been received from here for a considerable period of time. However, an account of what they are doing was received. The term in office of one officer has been completed for some time now, and despite pleas from the correspondent, the election is still awaited. Two summer camps for children were organised by the Legion of Mary. Seventy (70) children from five to seventeen (5 to 17) years of age took part, with the majority of them being active members. The praesidium in Beirut visited homes of the poor, people living on the streets and the sick. They say that the people are living in fear and anxiety due to the war, that great destruction has taken places in villages in the south and that poverty is on the increase. Please pray for them.
MYANMAR
Ten (10) praesidia, four (4) curiae and one comitium was visited. Attendance at Senatus ranged from sixty-eight (68) to ninety-two (92) members. Civil war continues in parts of the country and this causes disruption to meetings. One hundred and twenty-five (125) attended a retreat organised by one curia at which the Archbishop gave the homily.
SRI LANKA
There are twelve (12) comitia, two (2) curiae, twelve (12) praesidia and a junior curia attached to the Senatus. The correspondent has requested that quarterly (instead of annual reports) be obtained from the attached Councils. The Senatus thanked Concilium for financial aid given to print one thousand (1,000) copies of the Sinhala Handbook. Lapsed Catholics are returning to practice, people are being instructed for the sacraments, and the sick are visited at home and in hospitals. Discussion is underway to return to home visitation.
VIETNAM
Despite difficulties of age, health and lack of transport wonderful apostolic works are carried out. Children and adults are prepared for the sacraments, arrangements are made for marriages to be blessed in the Church, and the lapsed are invited back to practice. They are trying to reach out to younger people who move to larger cities for work but who don’t rejoin there. They were invited to consider holding a Young Adults’ Day (Deus) and a Mary Day in these areas along the lines of the events organised by Concilium as a means of outreach.
THAILAND
Nativity of Mary Senatus, Bangkok
The campaign of the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes during 2023-2025 is very much in action. A booklet of the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been re-printed, and the Imprimatur has been received. Senatus offers prayers of thanksgiving for the support of Soeur Boonraksa Sritrakul and the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres in printing four thousand (4,000) pamphlets on prayers to the Sacred Heart. Senatus has also sourced, printed and distributed to councils 100 (one hundred) pictures of the Sacred Heart so that people will have a beautiful image of the Sacred Heart when their homes are enthroned. Senatus has expressed that always receive full cooperation from priests with this work and that priests are very helpful in promoting it. Apparently some priests mentioned that they had not previously known that Enthronement of the Sacred Heart is one of the works of the Legion of Mary.
The correspondent is very much advocating for the practice, co-ordination and spread of First Saturday Devotions in parishes also. The president has, at the Senatus Meeting, bolstered the encouragement of the practice of First Saturday Devotions also. Senatus is very busy carrying out visitation to councils. Prayers are requested for the success of an expansion project in Khon Kaen. Every council has been invited by Senatus to set up a Frank Duff prayer meeting. A couple have returned to the sacrament of matrimony, after a 10-year follow-up by legionaries. Furthermore, the husband has converted and become Catholic. The Centenary of the Thai Mission’s consecration to our Blessed Lady was celebrated on 15th August. All at a recent Senatus meeting were reminded about how to spend money from the Secret Bag, as the Handbook stipulates that money from Secret Bag must be carefully used, with no extravagance, as it is our Blessed Mother’s money. The mentioning in the Handbook that each praesidium should not act as an agent asking for donation, no matter what the purpose will be was emphasised. It was explained that legionaries must not ask for donation. It was explained that money from the Secret Bag is then contributed to higher councils, and to Concilium who use the money to develop the Legion’s works around the world. All were reminded that “we cannot go out to work around the world, but this money can go out for us.”
INDIA
Kerala Senatus
Last minutes received for April 2024. The Senatus currently has sixteen (16) comitia directly attached, ten (10) curiae and eighteen (18) praesidia directly affiliated. Some of the praesidia are dormant since the pandemic. The minutes show that the officers are making efforts to revive these through direct visitation and by meetings with local clergy. Otherwise there is little evidence of extension. Hospital visitation features largely in reports. Patients of all faiths are contacted, especially those who have no visitors. A legionary spent four (4) days accompanying one such patient. Recent minutes show attempts to reach out to non-Catholics resulting in some conversions. One comitium report recounted how twelve (12) youths who were living an un-Christian life were persuaded by legionaries to amend their ways. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is promoted widely and one comitium recorded six thousand, two hundred and twenty-seven (6,227) such Home Enthronements to the Sacred Heart of Jesus over the period of a year.
Pondicherry Senatus
Ten (10) praesidia, five (5) curiae and three (3) comitia reported. The Legion of Mary is in all four (4) dioceses. Over eighty (80) attend the Senatus meetings. Many sacramentals are distributed on their works.
Chennai Senatus
Archbishop George Antonysamy celebrated Mass with twenty-two (22) priests to mark the raising of the regia to Senatus. Two thousand (2,000) attended. The Concilium was thanked. Attendances ranged from fifty-six (56) to ninety-three (93). Homes were enthroned to the Sacred Heart, twelve (12) lapsed returned to practice, one Hindu became Catholic. Destitute homes and orphanages were visited. A Frank Duff prayer group was set up.
Vishakhapatnam Regia
Cancer patients, prisons, orphanages, families of deceased are visited. Catechism is widely taught.
Karnataka Senatus
The directly affiliated praesidia-twenty-five (25) out of fifty-six (56) are greatly encouraged to increase attendance levels. The curia reporting in July has eighty (80) active members and twenty (20) auxiliary members. Sick people are visited at home and in hospital, and counselling is conducted.
Mumbai Senatus
Attendance is between eighty and ninety per cent (80 – 90%). The report Mary, Cause of Our Joy praesidium is inspiring with a total of twenty-four (24) different works being carried out there. The 2023 Audit was carried out. Two Senatus officers visited Nepal in June. Training is required for the fifty-five (55) members in that country. The Handbook is being translated into the Marathi language. Funds which had decreased after Covid have now rebounded. A Spiritual Directors’ Conference, the first of its kind, was held in Delhi with the Archbishop and sixteen (16) Spiritual Directors present, representing twenty-three (23) parishes. It was an occasion of great faith and fellowship.
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Some Handbook Reflections
The extract this month is about Extension of the Legion (p.27, 28). Reports from throughout the world this month conveyed much activity in the vital area of recruitment for the Legion of Mary. It is magnificent to learn of this. Such recruitment is so important for the sustenance and growth of the Legion internationally. We are all required to carry out our best efforts for our Blessed Mother to bring others into Her Legion. The bringing of others into the Legion leads logically to a multiplication of praesidia and hence higher Councils. Let us all bear this in mind constantly as our souls encounter the souls of others. We pray that, as we are often advised, we bloom where we are planted. We pray that we engage with others, and in so doing invite them into the Legion of Mary. It really is as simple as that, nothing to fear. Recruitment is perhaps quite a technical term for what in the Legion of Mary is really very simple… inviting a person along to a Legion of Mary meeting in the course of ordinary, everyday natural conversation. The Handbook tells us that a legionary is always on duty! There are of course more structured means of recruiting also-to which we are all invited-in the Legion of Mary. These include recruitment drives and extension efforts as described in the following extract from the Handbook:
EXTENSION OF THE LEGION
The Handbook states that the extension of the Legion forms an important part of the work of a curia. (See Legion Handbook, Government of the Legion).
As a help towards undertaking systematic extension it is suggested that curiae might:
1. Enlist the prayers of both active and auxiliary legionaries and others for this intention;
2. List the Parishes in their area where the Legion is not yet established;
3. Each month appoint two legionaries to visit the Parish Priest of at least one of these Parishes;
4. Having obtained permission from the Parish Priest, send in a team of legionaries to help with the establishment of a praesidium;
5. Give the Extension team guidelines such as the following for carrying out this work:
(a) Contact people after Masses with invitations to a first meeting:
(b) Visit those who give their names;
(c) Hold first meeting with specific duties for the members of the team:
d) Give special attention to Allocation of Work.
A variety of works should be offered.
The second meeting should be set for the following week on a day suitable to most people present;
(e) Members of the Extension team should work with the new legionaries, in this way training them in the apostolate and imbuing them with the spirit of the Legion;
(f) Acting Officers should be selected as soon as possible and clearly briefed on their duties and made aware of the grace of office;
NOTE: The new praesidium having been affiliated, it is vital that the curia maintain contact with it.
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Deus et Patria
Deus et Patria started off as an initiative back in 2001 when a small group of legionaries came together with the Concilium officers to see if something could be done for eighteen-forty (18-40) age group. This age group was underrepresented and not well catered for in the Church or the Legion of Mary, despite its critical importance for the future. Something needed to be done, and so the idea of the Deus et Patria Conference came about. At that time, the organising committee consisted of just four (4) or five (5) people, including the invaluable guidance of Fr. Churchill and the support of the Concilium officers. Their hope was that by employing Frank Duff’s symbolic action method, they could not only enhance the Legion but also attract new recruits to our ranks. The first Conference, though modest, with thirty-five (35) attendees, was a stepping stone. Since then, through perseverance and dedication, the numbers have grown steadily. The committee has since expanded its initiatives, organising weekend projects, retreats, and social events, all aimed at furthering the spiritual and social engagement of young Catholics and legionaries. The benefits of these efforts are evident today. The demographic of the Legion of Mary in Ireland has improved. Furthermore, four (4) of our current sitting Concilium Officers are former members of the Deus et Patria committee, a testament to the committee’s success and its potential to nurture future leaders within the Legion of Mary. The success we’ve experienced in Ireland can be achieved in other regions as well. With this in mind, we believe the time is right to expand Deus et Patria to other regions. We encourage the councils of the world and correspondents to actively promote this initiative, as we have witnessed its many benefits firsthand.
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Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) Report
PPC projects from Ireland have all been completed for 2024, the project to Inverness being the final one. All Councils in Ireland, England, Scotland and Europe have been informed of the upcoming PPC Conference for organisers and those interested in going on PPC in 2025.
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Europe Day - A Call to Arms
The theme for this Conference to be held on Saturday 9th November 2024 at Legion of Mary Headquarters, Dublin 7 is “Go out and tell the Gospel.” Officers from the United Kingdom (UK) have been invited. Sanction was sought and granted from the body for funding to visit Councils in the UK prior to Europe Day.
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Elevation of Dakar Senatus to Regia
The elevation of Dakar to Dakar Regia was sanctioned.
Permission sought and granted
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Approval was sought from, and granted by the body for Br. Noel Lynch and Sr. Mendes to visit Madrid from 11th-15th October.
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Visit of Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira, Uganda to Concilium meeting of September 2024
It was a cause of great joy to welcome Bishop Francis Aquirinus of Uganda to the Concilium meeting this month. He was here as part of his visit to Ireland to two priests of his diocese, Fr. Ubaldo Muhindo, St. Mary’s, Lucan and Fr. Beaumont. The Legion of Mary here in Ireland has benefited greatly from the Spiritual Direction of Fr. Ubaldo at Mother of Divine Mercy praesidium, Divine Mercy Church, Lucan South when he served in that parish, and now at praesidium at St. Mary’s Church, Lucan, where he currently ministers. Bishop Francis Aquirinus Kibira spoke very highly of his own experiences of the Legion of Mary growing up in Uganda. He spoke of growing up praying the rosary at home every day, of being a member of the junior Legion of Mary in Uganda and later being secretary of the Senatus in Uganda when he was a seminarian. He highlighted the importance of Mariology in seminaries. He spoke of how he very much promotes Perpetual Adoration in his pastoral work. He spoke also of the importance of the role of Mother Mary.
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New Curia in Dubin
A new curia will be formed shortly at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seán Mc Dermott Street, Dublin 1. This happens at a time of the celebration of the one hundredth (100th) year anniversary of the first Concilium meeting in Dublin also. Project Three Hundred (300) continues with great efforts continuing in this regard also.
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Congresses
A comment from the body reminded us that all legionaries are to participate in Ccngresses held. The congress is not a time for talks to be given by clergy, but for legionaries to contribute.
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Ringing of bells in Street Processions
We all know the beauty of hearing bells rung at the Consecration at Mass. The Concilium meeting in September drew our attention to how legionaries could be make efforts to ensure that bells are rung during Eucharistic Processions. This could be in streets of cities, towns, villages and indeed everywhere they are held.
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True Devotion to the Nation (TDN)
A report this month related of the work of recycling and the practicing of careful use of water, an example of works carried out in the Spirit of True Devotion to the Nation. Booklets about True Devotion to the Nation are available from Concilium, and could well serve to guide us in the direction of some of the many ways we could carry out True Devotion to the Nation as part of our hopefully ever-increasing and ever-expanding range of works.
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‘Repaid a Millionfold’
A booklet for auxiliary members available now from Concilium
All are reminded that this beautiful booklet is available now from Concilium. It would be wonderful to hear of Councils throughout the world translating this, and sending the translation to Concilium as we strive so earnestly to ensure that auxiliary members be recruited, acknowledged, encouraged and affirmed in the role that they hold in the Legion of Mary.
We are eternally grateful to them for their prayer.
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