Concilium Bulletin August 2025
REPORTS
DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE
Assumpta Curia
A Bible Study course on the Gospel of Mark was run by legionaries over seven (7) weeks. The course was well received by the five (5) legionaries and four (4) parishioners who attended. A praesidium’s main work is home visitation. Residents are offered Miraculous Medals and leaflets as well as the parish newsletter. Members visit a legionary who is now in a nursing home. Curia discussed the best way to promote our three causes. The recent Curia retreat had an attendance of fifteen (15). A bus is organized for the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine on Sunday 28th September. Curia outing to Frank Duff House and the National Gallery will be held in August.
Immaculata Curia
A praesidium’s main works include home visitation, nursing home visitation and street contact. Four (4) schools are visited and regular visits are made to the Settled-Traveller Community where the Rosary is prayed. Congress is planned for October. Curia outing to Jubilee churches is planned for August. Two (2) buses are booked for the Legion of Mary annual pilgrimage to Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine on Sunday 28th September. Recruitment efforts are carried monthly on Sundrive Road. A praesidium distributes forty (40) copies of Maria Legionis quarterly, and regularly recruits after evening Mass. Works include home visitation, monthly Patricians, and nursing home visitation. Titles of recent Patricians were “Saints Joachim and Anne”, “Pentecost - Mary’s Motherhood of Souls”, “Stairway to Heaven - how to get to Heaven”, “Unforgiveness”, and “New Year’s Resolutions”. Patrician meetings are advertised in local newsletters and flyers are distributed. Approximately fourteen (14) people attend.
Annunciata Curia
Curia outing had twenty- five (25) in attendance. It was a most enjoyable day with a visit to the beautiful town of Drogheda concluding with Holy Mass to celebrate the 400th anniversary of St. Oliver Plunkett. A praesidium has eleven (11) full members, one probationary member and twenty- five (25) auxiliaries. The main works of the praesidium are: apostolate to non-Catholics, home visitation, Public Rosaries, street contact and visiting auxiliary members. Legionaries meet non-Catholics on street contact and also visit them at their business premises. Thirteen (13) different businesses such as barbers, phone shops, coffee shops and supermarkets have been visited. Legionaries promote Catholic doctrines on the Divinity of Jesus, the Blessed Trinity and our relationship with Mary and the important role she plays in Salvation. Legionaries assisted with the enrolment of twenty- four (24) boys in the Miraculous Medal at St. Mary’s College, Rathmines, at the request of the Superior, Rev Fr. Augustine CSSp. In response a thank you card signed by all twenty- four (24) boys was received by the praesidium. Twenty-five (25) copies of Maria Legionis are delivered each quarter.
Ancilla Domini Curia
The recent Inner-City Legion of Mary Project was held from Saturday 21st June to Friday 27th June, during which homes in the Liberties and Inner-City Dublin were visited. Over twenty (20) legionaries participated in the Project. Rosaries and Miraculous Medals were distributed and the lapsed were encouraged to return to the sacraments. The Project finished on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with celebration of Mass in Myra House. For the Annual Curia Outing members visited the four (4) Jubilee churches in the city. The rosary was prayed while walking from church to church. A bus has been booked and names taken for the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine on Sunday 28th September. The celebration of the 104th Anniversary of the first meeting of the Legion of Mary will be held in St Nicholas of Myra Church, Francis Street on Friday 5th September, beginning at 6.30pm with Adoration, Rosary and Legion prayers. Mass will begin at 7.30pm.
Gloriosa Curia
At a recent Curia meeting The Art of Home Visitation was discussed. Over two hundred (200) Miraculous Medals were distributed on street contact work in Inchicore. AM praesidium operates a weekly book barrow. Two (2) buses have been organised for the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine on Sunday 28th September.
Mater Ecclesiae Curia
Curia outing to Drogheda took place in July, to celebrate the jubilee of St. Oliver Plunkett. The new praesidium in Greystones, Our Lady of Fatima, continues to have a good weekly attendance and is supported by members from Our Lady of the Rosary praesidium also in Greystones. Recruiting is carried out through street contact in both Bray and Dún Laoghaire on Saturday mornings. Additional street contact session will take place on 15th August to mark the Feast of the Assumption. A Holy Hour at which the Frank Duff prayer is prayed is held in St. Patrick’s Church, Glasthule every Thursday. The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet are prayed, followed by the prayer for the beatification of servant of God Frank Duff. Praesidia take turns in leading the Holy Hour- held every second Thursday in the Chapel of Divine Masters from 7.30 to 8.30pm.- at which prayers are prayed for the advancement of the cause of Venerable Edel Quinn. Prayers at the Quinn grave in Deansgrange in memory of Venerable Edel Quinn and in support of her cause will take place on Sunday 14th September (Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and also her date of birth). A praesidium’s main work is street contact. Members have distributed two thousand (2,000) Miraculous Medals in the last year. Two (2) members have been on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) twice each this year. Auxiliaries are visited quarterly when distributing Maria Legionis. The parish priest is enthusiastic and very supportive of home visitation, and the praesidium plans to intensify its efforts in this regard in the autumn.
Benedicta Curia
A praesidium’s main work is home visitation where they encounter many people suffering as a result of drug addiction, and they meet many special cases. The people are welcoming and courteous to the legionaries. Legionaries explained the Mass to a lady who does not attend Church. By the end of the encounter, the lady said that she would think about returning. Another praesidium distributes Miraculous Medals and Jubilee cards during home visitation. Two (2) praesidia carry out street contact work, meeting people of many nationalities. They explain the Miraculous Medal and offer membership of the Legion of Mary. Members visit St James’s Hospital. Weekly Public Rosaries are held in Rialto and Ceannfort. Forty-seven (47) efforts at recruiting were recorded in July. Frank Duff and Edel Quinn banners are placed in the garden of Benedicta House and they attract a lot of positive attention.
IRISH PROVINCIAL REPORTS
COMITIA
Tuam Comitium has a low number of number of Curiae currently. It is hoped that Claremorris Curia will be renamed in honour of Our Lady shortly. Westport Curia engages in apostolate in parishes, such as leading the Rosary, distributing packs to school pupils preparing for Holy Communion and Confirmation and works closely to support the parish priests. Members visit nursing homes and drive elderly parishioners to Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. Claremorris Curia also carry out work at Knock Office. Our Lady of Lourdes Curia, Galway: A praesidium widely promotes enthronement of homes to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. A number of enthronements have taken place and more are planned. Another praesidium has a new Spiritual Director. Works include home visitation, nursing home visitation with public Rosary at various locations including different local housing estates following visitation. Praesidia record how many have been invited to join the Legion of Mary each week. It is hoped that a new praesidium will be established in a new parish soon. The Curia is currently pursuing the spread of the is First Saturday Devotions regarding two parishes.
Elphin Comitium: Extension and recruiting figure prominently with regular distribution of Legion of Mary materials. Two hundred and thirty- nine (239) pupils preparing to receive Holy Communion received packs. Rosary information packs were also offered to school principals. Three (3) schools take part in The Children’s Rosary with more expected to participate. Legionaries worked at a book barrow at Ballygar Annual Carnival. Many visitors shared their Faith and Legion of Mary stories, and many accepted Miraculous Medals, auxiliary membership leaflets and other Legion of Mary literature.
Carlow Comitium: The Annual Retreat took place in now Servant of God Alphie Lambe’s house in Tullamore. A new praesidium is to open shortly in Kildare while a junior praesidium in Newbridge continues to thrive. Visitation of private homes and nursing homes continue. Public Rosaries are ongoing while visits to Cuan Muire in Athy, and Portlaoise Prison resulted in prayer and Miraculous Medals being given to many. Classes of children preparing for the Sacraments were visited in primary schools, and the praesidium in Sallins have organised a Children’s Rosary. Patrician meetings which attract many including first-time visitors are held in at Newbridge monthly.
CURIAE
Killala Curia: Ardagh praesidium engages in regular nursing home and private home visitation. A recruitment drive in July focusing on engaging with attendees after Mass, and through home visitation was well- supported by the parish priest. A Curia discussion had the theme “We Need Never Be Discouraged”. All were encouraged that while a warm reception might not always be given, the message was “we must press on regardless!” The Legion of Mary Stall held on Heritage Day saw hundreds of Miraculous Medals and cards distributed. One woman attributed her miraculous escape from a serious car accident to the Miraculous Medal she was given last year. Legionaries participate in promotion of devotion of children in particular to the Blessed Sacrament, and the apostolate continues to flourish with reverent attendance and wonderful graces flowing from the Blessed Sacrament.
Achonry Curia: Our Lady of Perpetual Succour praesidium, Charlestown carries out works such as assisting at the Knock Office, bringing prayer packs to classes where children are preparing to receive First Holy Communion, and nursing home visitation. Attendance at meetings is a priority, as is the promotion of auxiliary members. Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces praesidium in Killasser, the newest addition to the Curia visits homes of the elderly with the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and carries out nursing home and hospital visitation. Many people were enrolled in the Brown Scapular in July, and Enrolment in the Brown Scapular continues at the Curia. Legionaries encourage people to attend Eucharistic Adoration, to participate in choir singing, and do so themselves. They also work very closely with the priest, engage in training of youth for participation in church activities and carry out works in the church and parish on an ongoing basis. Mary, Immaculate Queen praesidium in Kiltimagh train transition year students regarding participation at Mass in various ways, work very closely with the priests and deacon to serve in the church and parish in a wide variety of ways such as encouraging others to attend Eucharistic Adoration, prepare and distribute packs for classes of children preparing to receive the Sacraments in local schools, lead the Rosary, promote enrolment in the Brown Scapular, promote auxiliary membership, and assist at St. John’s Welcome Centre, Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine.
Clonfert Curia has sixteen (16) members including four (4) praesidia in Cappataggle, Ballinasloe, Looscaun & Loughrea. Our Lady, Star of the Sea praesidium very much promotes attendance of Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The praesidium engages in much recruitment after Mass, promotion of the Legion of Mary through visual means in the church, notices in the parish newsletter, and encouraging enrolment of auxiliaries with the booklet “Repaid a Million Fold”. Mary, Mother of God praesidium visits hospitals, nursing homes and private homes. They very much promote and lead others to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament also. Members work closely with the priest and engage enthusiastically in apostolate in the parish. Marisa et Patria (MEP) projects to Tuam and Carrick- on- Shannon and duty carried out at Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine bore much fruit.
Ferns Curia: While all praesidia continued with their visitations and other duties, there was a major focus on Tinahely Show, Co. Wicklow and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann held in Wexford, both held in August. Legionaries came from far and wide to participate in these great opportunities to evangelise and recruit. Legionaries engaged with several hundreds of people, and in conversation about the Legion of Mary at both events. Many hundreds gratefully accepted Miraculous Medals and accompanying literature. Ferns Curia is very grateful for all the various supports and initiatives they receive from The Franciscan Friary, Wexford throughout the year.
EUROPE A
SPAIN
Madrid Senatus: The new secretary of the Senatus was deeply impressed with the training and help he received from the president and former secretary. Each month at the Senatus meeting there are many positive reports, such as contact with people attending soup kitchens, and younger legionaries becoming officers in praesidia. Two (2) new legionaries have started apostolate on the street where they encounter women caught up in prostitution. Many young adults, a number of whom who have no faith but are happy to speak with legionaries are met on street contact. Legionaries have been invited to take part in the Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project in Lisbon. For the Annual Novena of San Isidro, fifty- two (52) legionaries made contact with the large numbers attending. The Cardinal of Madrid spoke about the importance of Corpus Christi processions. Those taking part are giving witness and testimony in public to Christ.
Bilbao Senatus: Members participated in the celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese of Bilbao (May 1950) with a Legion Stand. They report good publicity and several contacts. The Senatus will renew much needed visits to its attached praesidia and four councils in the autumn, they say. Promotion of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, is very strong across the Senatus. Apostolate to migrants and apostolates in the parish are also. Members also take the lead in organising novenas to Our Lady on her feasts, and to local saints. A highlight in council news was the annual report of Santander Curia, which with twenty-one (21) active members is involved in a whole range of church ministries. Legionaries reach out to locals and tourists alike on the street and in parks in Legion evangelisation.
PORTUGAL
Lisbon Senatus: In February, elections were held for secretary, two assistant secretaries, and treasurer. The Senatus encourages Columban recruitment drives among attached Councils and requests that reports include information regarding extension efforts. Praesidia attached to the Senatus carry out street apostolate and outreach to auxiliary members, congratulating them on their birthdays while encouraging them to persevere in prayer. Weekly visits are made to the prison, including participation in Holy Mass with the inmates, and distribution of Miraculous Medals, Rosaries, and Catholic literature. Extension workers accompany newly established praesidia within other Curiae. Legionaries accompanied the priest in visits to two neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Lisbon, conducting ninety- two (92) home visits and two hundred and fifty- six (256) contacts. A Frank Duff Prayer Group has begun. Curiae reports: Street apostolate is carried out; a recently founded praesidium is being accompanied, and there are plans to establish another. There are praesidia for young adults and juniors. Comitia reports: The parish priest assisted in recruiting members for the foundation of a new praesidium. The priest was accompanied during prison ministry, where seven (7) inmates received the Sacrament of Confirmation, with three (3) legionary godmothers. Seventy-seven (77) families received visits from the Pilgrim Virgin Statue. One praesidium was founded. Efforts to establish additional praesidia through extension continue.
Coimbra Regia: One praesidium has twenty- three (23) active members and one hundred (100) auxiliaries. A special event was organized for the sick, during which eighty- five (85) individuals received the anointing of the sick. The Curia of Fatima provides support to individuals facing serious family problems.
Porto Regia: Contacts have been made with people of other religions. The foundation of a praesidium in the metropolitan region of Porto is underway. The Comitia have carried out Columban drives and recruitment campaigns. A new praesidium has been founded.
ITALY
Rome Senatus: Attendance at Senatus meetings saw slight improvement from a low base (praesidia officers 45%, Curiae in Rome 35%). An attached praesidium organised for the celebration of Mass for parents and family of recently baptised babies and gave them a souvenir card of the occasion. The same praesidium organised for the celebration of a Mass for the sick which had great attendance. Parish priests in Calabria and Sicily have requested that a praesidium be established in each parish. It is not clear if positive steps have been taken to see that this happens. Fr. Don Giorgio Pesaresi S.D. of the Comitium in Rimini celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Priestly Ordination. We pray in a particular way at this time for an increase in the number of active legionaries at three (3) of the praesidia at the Curia in Villa San Filippo.
MALTA
Malta Regia. Gozo Comitium: A Day Retreat was attended by thirty- three (33) legionaries. Home visits were carried out on Good Friday and many good contacts were made. Curiae Reports: Brief reports were taken from seven (7) Curiae. In one of the attached Curiae a family who received the Pilgrim Statue and recited prayers with the legionaries said that the help received from Our Lady for the difficulties with a seriously ill child was greatly appreciated. Praesidia Reports: Brief reports were taken from six (6) praesidia. One of the attached praesidia gained four (4) new members. Assumption of Our Lady praesidium carried out its apostolate in the periphery of Mosta where three hundred and eighty (380) visits were made to homes and sixty (60) visits to those who are ill in their homes. One person who did not attend Mass for twenty- five (25) years began to return after several contacts.
Councils under the care of Malta Regia
Visits to Libia, Syria and Turkey are being planned at present.
ALBANIA
Two legionaries from Malta- Br. Joseph, Br. Paul Vasallo- and Fr. Paul Cutajar made a visit to Albania. Much hard work was done during the visit. They attended two Congresses with ninety (90) in attendance on the first day and two hundred (200) on the second day. The legionaries attended the Comitium meeting in Shkoder with twenty- two (22) members present. They also fitted in a visit to Kosovo that has two (2) praesidia. Sincere thanks to all for much travelling and for all the hard work.
CYPRUS
During May a planned visit by legionaries from Nicosia to start a praesidium in Larnaca resulted in ten (10) parishioners expressing an interest and is a work in progress. The meeting was supported by Fr. Andrew Arhin, P.P. from Ghana and Fr. Andrew Verdote from Philippines, Larnaca parish. A retreat for legionaries is scheduled to take place in St. Joseph’s Convent Nicosia on 24th August 2025. Efforts to restart the Curia which ceased in 2022 due to covid is proving difficult. There has been no contact with the Legion of Mary in North Cyprus. It is understood that Kyrenia continues to meet, while Famagusta which had dissolved had restarted again within the last year. The main challenge is that legionaries can only meet and carry out their works on Sundays.
AFRICA B
NIGERIA
Lagos Regia: Visitation of attached Councils is carried out periodically. Works undertaken include visitation of homes, hospitals, shops, maternity hospitals and prisons, teaching the Catechism, marriage classes, care of children at Mass and care of junior praesidia. The Regia has many catechists and reports helping hundreds of people prepare for various sacraments.
Abuja Senatus: Extension work in Kabba is planned for August. Over two hundred (200) legionaries were recruited in Maitama Comitium. In March two hundred and forty- five (245) legionaries attended a Catechism Instructors Seminar, which was facilitated by two (2) priests.
Ikot Ekpene Regia: A Comitium recruited two hundred and twenty- six (226) new members including twenty- four (24) juniors. Fifty- two (52) catechumens were baptised, three hundred and forty- two (342) candidates received First Communion, seven (7) converts joined the Church, and four (4) lapsed Catholics returned. Rumuokoro Comitium gained fifty- two (52) members and revived a praesidium at Egbelu.
Onitsha Regia: Legionaries helped prepare many for the sacraments, including one hundred and thirty (130) couples for matrimony. Twenty (20) lapsed Catholics returned to practice and fifty- six (56) visits were carried out to the sick.
Enugu Senatus: Extension work continues with many of the attached Councils of the Senatus reporting growth. An attached Regia has eighteen (18) praesidia in secondary schools and five (5) praesidia in the seminary. Works undertaken include helping to prepare hundreds of people for the Sacraments. Three (3) prisoners returned to Church following their release and prayer was considered instrumental in the prevention of eleven (11) abortions. Many other apostolic works were undertaken, and all reports include great results from Exploratio Dominicalis projects.
Jos Regia: Works include home visitation, hospital visitation, crowd contact, teaching the catechism and book barrow apostolate. One hundred and nine (109) persons were recruited into the Legion of Mary. Legionaries helped prepare many people for the various sacraments of Baptism, confirmation, and First Holy Communion. Sixteen (16) marriages were blessed and eighteen (18) lapsed Catholics returned to practice of the Faith.
Ibadan Senatus: An attached Regia has four (4) Comitia, twenty- five (25) Curiae, ten (10) praesidia, and one (1) junior Curia. Their works include sacramental preparation for thousands of people, seventy-one (71) marriages ratified, two (2) anointings of the sick, one (1) person received the sacrament of reconciliation, and eighty- four (84) lapsed Catholics returned to practice. Conversions included eighty- seven (87) Traditionalists [seven (7) were baptised], thirty- six (36) candidates for Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and one (1) Jehovah’s Witness converted.
GAMBIA
Banjul Curia now has fifteen (15) praesidia. Works include home and hospital visitation in the various communities. A praesidium helped two (2) couples have their marriages blessed. They also helped a couple who had joined a Pentecostal church to return to the Catholic Faith.
UGANDA
Senatus of Uganda: In Kamuli Comitium home visits led to the demolition of five (5) satanic shrines and the conversion of two (2) individuals from this group. The Regia of Western Uganda reports one hundred and ninety- five thousand, and ninety- three (195,093) home visits and six hundred and forty- three (643) hospitals visits. As a result, eleven thousand, three hundred and fifty (11,350) children were baptised, and two thousand, two hundred and eighty- one (2,281) couples received the sacrament of matrimony, five thousand, six hundred and forty- eight (5,648) patients received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The Council extended with thirteen (13) new adult Curiae, nine (9) intermediate praesidia, six (6) junior praesidia, and thirteen (13) in-school intermediate praesidia. One Pioneer group was started, and two (2) Patrician branches were established. The Bi-Annual Spiritual Directors’ Conference will take place from 19th to 22nd August at Ggaba National Major Seminary under the theme “Do not be afraid.”
TANZANIA
Hai Moshi Comitium: Works reported on include home visitation and hospital visitation, encouraging couples to marry in Church and preparing adults and children for the sacraments.
Rombo Comitium: One hundred and twenty- five (125) new members have been recruited. Works include home visitation and hospital visitation, preparing candidates for the sacraments, and teaching adults and children the Rosary.
Dar-es-Salaam Regia: Visitation of praesidia and Councils is carried out on an ongoing basis. Emphasis is placed on recruiting youth to secure the future of the Legion of Mary. Members who relocate to other areas are encouraged to establish the Legion of Mary in their new locations.
MALAWI
Maula Senatus: Several youth groups were formed, including Catholic Scout and Guides. The Congress for junior legionaries held in August 2024 was well attended. Maula Senatus hosted the annual general meeting in August 2024 with chaplains and officers from both Malawi Senatus and Blantyre Senatus. Blantyre Senatus will host next. The Legion report to the Laity Council was well received. A membership census is planned at the request of the Archbishop. The Legion of Mary Jubilee celebrations took place in May 2025. Council works include catechism, children’s formation, visitation of families, people who are sick, people who have been bereaved, auxiliaries, elderly people, and cohabiting couples [six (6) of eight (8) marriages were ratified].
Blantyre Senatus: Reports reflect a mix of the three (3) Cs: Conversion, Consolation, and Conservation. Lapsed Catholics are visited, with many returning to the Faith. Cohabiting couples are counselled, with many opting for marriage regularisation. Elderly people are assisted with chores and visited regularly. Bereaved families are supported through visits and prayer. Youths absent from Mass are encouraged to return. Catechism is taught to children, and parents are urged to have their children baptised. Intermediary praesidia at Domasi and Chancellor Colleges exchange visits to promote Legion of Mary membership.
ZAMBIA
Lusaka Regia: Legionaries meet every Thursday at grottos to pray the Rosary for problems in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the World. Visitation of attached Councils is carried out periodically. Works undertaken include home visitation and hospital visitation. Visits to the sick, elderly and other sects resulted in one woman deciding to take Catechism lessons and becoming a Catholic. Three (3) women belonging to another Christian Church underwent Catechism classes and were baptised, two (2) non-Christians are taking Catechism classes and have promised to join the Legion of Mary after they are baptised. A Thanksgiving Mass and pilgrimage was held in May at a Marian Shrine.
Senatus of Kenya: Auxiliary Bishop David Kamau celebrated the annual Mass at Venerable Edel Quinn’s grave with thirty- one (31) priests, and thousands of legionaries from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in attendance. Edel’s first praesidium reported sixteen (16) active members, five (5) probationers, and thirty- seven (37) auxiliaries, focusing on hospital visitation, street contact, and junior praesidium care. Kisumu Regia contacted six hundred and seventy- nine (679) cohabiting couples, one hundred and seventy- one (171) couples had their marriages validated in the Catholic Church. Contacts also made with witchdoctors and illicit brewers. Of one hundred and fifty- five (155) street girls contacted, nineteen (19) left the lifestyle. Bungoma Regia established two (2) new Curiae. Two (2) praesidia undertook Exploratio Dominicalis projects.
CANADA
Toronto Senatus: At the Acies in Durham Curia, a priest agreed to start two (2) praesidia in his parish. A Comitium report a cure for a bedridden person due to Pilgrim Statue visit. The Korea-speaking Curia revived a praesidium with six (6) new members between twenty- five (25) and thirty- five (35) years old. In Niagara Curia, legionaries encouraged the reception of the sacrament of the sick by elderly people who died the following day. A Conference on the Three Legion Causes and St. Louis Marie de Montfort was held.
Vancouver Comitium: Highlights from a praesidium with comprised of twelve (12) active members included fifty- seven (57) Pilgrim Statue visits which often included contact with neighbours. During weekly street contact, six (6) auxiliary members were recruited. In an attached Curia, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) work resulted in one Baptism and two (2) returns to Confession after long lapses. Concilium representatives visited their Comitium Congress in May which had four hundred (400) attendees. Some attached praesidia and the Curia for people who speak Korean were also visited.
Montreal Senatus: Two praesidia reporting had a total of twenty- five (25) members of whom eleven (11) were probationers. A family of five (5) was brought back to the sacraments. The one remaining praesidium in Sherbrooke Curia area has six (6) praetorians among thirteen (13) active members and eight (8) adjutorians among fifteen (15) auxiliaries. The praesidium carries out monthly crowd contact and invites people to light a candle during evening Eucharistic Adoration. The former Comitium in Quebec is closed since covid times.
Edmonton Comitium: The annual audit for 2024 was submitted. An attached Curia has one hundred and forty (140) members in seven (7) senior and three (3) junior praesidia. They visit their praesidia twice annually. Extension is ongoing in two (2) parishes. They held a junior retreat for one hundred and eleven (111) children. Home visitation and one hundred (100) Enthronements to the Sacred Heart were carried out, and in some cases of family conflicts were seen to be resultant of same. Rosary is prayed monthly with eighty (80) jail inmates.
UNITED STATED AND WEST INDIES
Philadelphia Senatus: Audits have been completed on three (3) accounts so far. Camden Comitium had an article promoting the Legion of Mary published in the diocesan newspaper to commemorate the seventieth (70th) anniversary of the founding of Camden Comitium.
Arlington Senatus: The annual audit has been submitted. The theme of the annual retreat for young adults was “Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist”. Holy Mass was celebrated at the retreat, and there was Benediction and a lively Praise and Worship session. Knoxville Curia had seventy (70) people attend an outdoor candlelight Rosary (“Light up the Night”) at a Shrine of Our Lady.
Los Angelus Senatus: The annual audit has been submitted. Senatus carries out regular contact work at the train stations, organise Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and promotes Frank Duff prayer meetings. Columban drives are held frequently. A website has recently been established for Los Angelus Senatus. Legionaries in Tucson helped over two thousand one hundred times (2,100) times at a homeless shelter. They distributed over four thousand (4,000) rosaries and literature items in community and among homeless.
San Francisco Senatus: Attendance ranged from 63 - 66% for praesidia officers. The Maria Legionis Journal is well promoted from San Fracisco up along the west coast to Anchorage Curia in Alaska. A praesidium of seven (7) members in Nevada, invited one hundred and thirty-one (131) contacts to join the Legion of Mary, and thirteen (13) of those people became auxiliaries. Eight hundred (800) Miraculous Medals and three hundred (300) Rosaries were distributed on various occasions. San José and Oakland Comitia and Portland Curia extended the Legion into a total of five (5) new parishes.
Houston Senatus: Dallas Comitium held their eight hundredth (800th) meeting in March. A Curia carries out crowd contact twice monthly at Oyster Creek Park. In El Paso, the English- speaking Curia had extension planned while the Spanish- speaking Curia planned door to door evangelisation training in July. The new Curia in Pharr is experiencing rapid growth with ten (10) senior praesidia and three (3) junior praesidia, plus two (2) more in formation.
Chicago Senatus: Father Gerard O’Reilly, Spiritual Director of Chicago Senatus recently celebrated his Ruby Jubilee, forty (40) years of Priesthood since his Ordination. One Curia hosted five (5) Patrician meetings and held a Marian Congress on the topic of “The Sacred Heart of Jesus.” A praesidium in Indiana was revived with six (6) full members and one probationary member on roll. Three (3) attached Curiae reported having book barrows at church fairs and Legion of Mary booths at the county fairs.
Boston Senatus: A praesidium of sixteen (16) members teaches catechism to children and visits the elderly. They arranged for reception of the sacrament of sick four hundred (400) times. Merrimack Valley Curia gained a new praesidium of eight (8) members. A Curia organised Thirty- three (33) Day Preparation for Consecration to Jesus to Mary for sixty- seven (67) people; another reports conversion of one prisoner. Providence Comitium presented a talk on the Legion of Mary to a Bible Study group and held one recruiting drive.
New York Senatus engages in visitation of its praesidia and Councils. Attendance of meetings is about fifty per cent (50%) from attached councils. Brooklyn Queens Comitium has fifteen (15) directly attached praesidia and six (6) Curiae. Street contact, during which people are invited to light a candle at Eucharistic Adoration featured prominently in the report. Meetings have been facilitated with lapsed Catholics, people interested in Baptism, marriage and Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
Rochester Comitium has ten (10) directly attached praesidia and one Curia. Eight (8) junior praesidia to invest in the future of The Legion of Mary at the Comitium. Hudson Valley Curia has ten (10) directly attached praesidia for one hundred and one (101) active members and three hundred and seventy- three (373) auxiliary members. Westchester Curia has one hundred and forty (140) active members in ten (10) praesidia. An auxiliary luncheon and the showing of a weekly religious movie with a priest present as spiritual director were among their works.
St. Louis Senatus: A praesidium of ten (10) active members, three (3) of whom are new, has one hundred and five (105) auxiliaries. They carried out over five thousand (5,000) nursing home calls where they arranged for the reception of the sacrament of the sick four hundred and seven (407) times and helped six (6) people return to the sacraments. A Curia in Kansas has sixteen (16) praesidia with eighty- five (85) active members and five hundred and ninety (590) auxiliaries. They are making great efforts to establish junior praesidia. They asked each praesidium to approach a nearby parish to start the Legion of Mary.
Miami Regia: A successful Jubilee Pilgrimage was organised and went ahead. Highlights included one conversion and one return to sacraments. Bahamas Curia is visiting its praesidia and trying to revive dormant praesidia. A visit to Jamaica revealed only three (3) praesidia functioning post-covid. The correspondent has offered to spend three (3) weeks there guiding existing groups and to lead some extension.
WEST INDIES
Haiti Senatus: In his homily at Mass for the 75th Anniversary of the Senatus, Monseigneur Sander encouraged all to pray the Rosary, reliance on Mary’s intercession and imitation of Her virtues. Three (3) Comitia and two (2) praesidia reported. Works include preparing people for Baptism, outreach to the sick, non-practicing Catholics, Protestants and those practising voodoo. One Comitium gained fifty- two (52) probationary members. The two (2) praesidia are in a seminary and reported having forty- forty-five (40-45) members each. The Rector values the Legion of Mary for its Marian spirituality.
Trinidad and Tobago Regia: Annual Acies had attendance of seventy- five (75). Regia has vacancies for vice- president and assistant treasurer (literature). They held a meeting for their external councils in May. A Regia website will be launched soon.
Recommendations from Concilium for legionaries
throughout the world for Jubilee Year 2025.
1. All legionaries (active and auxiliaries) are recommended to take on the 33 Day Consecration to Jesus Through Mary proposed by St. Louis- Marie de Montfort during the Jubilee Year 2025. Auxiliaries and active members need to be informed. Concilium has just published a new production of the 33 Day Consecration to Jesus Through Mary. Some councils might wish to carry it out together with their legionaries over the 33-day preparation period.
2. All Councils are recommended to carry out some street contact each month for the Jubilee Year to focus on apostolic activity and personal contact and to teach the master/apprentice system of formation.
3. In Dublin, and throughout Ireland, a Jubilee task force will focus on recruitment for the Jubilee Year. Other Councils may wish to follow this recommendation to address the need for Recruitment during the Jubilee Year and address the need for more active members following the covid lockdowns across the world.
4. All are asked to take on the Jubilee Year recommendations.
Some Handbook Reflections
THE LEGION CONGRESS
(p. 35- 37 in Some Handbook Reflections).
The Legion Congress forms a valuable part of the legionary system of formation. While not intended to be an annual event, “an area should not hold a Congress more often than every second year” (Handbook 30:5), the holding of a Congress every two 35 or three years, while not mandatory, would seem very desirable.
The Congress is essentially a Curia function, at which all the members, not just the officers, of the praesidia in the Curia, can come together to discuss the main principles of the Legion. It is important that every member should have an opportunity of contributing to the discussions. This would not be possible in a very large assembly or where the function consists of a series of long talks by selected speakers.
In organising a Congress, it would be well to study carefully the relevant section in the handbook. Some points from that are listed here:
1. A whole day should be devoted to the Congress.
2. If possible, the proceedings should begin with Mass, followed by a short address by the Spiritual Director, or other priest, and should terminate with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
3. The day is divided into sessions. Each session should begin and close with prayer. Each subject should be very briefly opened up by someone who will have previously prepared his contribution.
4. Congresses are to be run on the parliamentary method, that is, on lines of universal participation, regulated from the chair. Careful timekeeping is important.
5. The assistance of some representatives of a higher governing body would be desirable.
6. The Congress should apply itself to the fundamentals. The subjects to be dealt with should concern the main principles of the Legion: (a) The devotional system of the Legion; (b) The legionary qualities, and how they are to be developed; (c) The methodical system of the Legion - including the conducting of the meetings and the members’ reports; (d) The Legion works, including the improvement of methods and the planning of new works.
7. An item of the Congress should be a special Talk on some aspect of legionary devotion, idealism or duty. This is usually given as a Concluding Talk, at the close of the last session.
8. All the lessons learned at the Congress should be put into force by the Curia.
9. There should be changes in the programme from one Congress to the next “it is necessary that over a period of years much new ground be ploughed up.” (Handbook 30:5d).
It is important that the Congress be planned well in advance. To find a suitable date and venue and to draw up the programme, it seems desirable that preparations should be made at least six to eight months beforehand. It is also desirable that the next-highest governing body be consulted on the programme and that their suggestions be taken into account. As the attendance of some representatives of the higher council is desirable, adequate notice will be required. If the Congress is to be a success, it is obvious that all the members of the praesidia should have copies of the programme well in advance, at least six weeks beforehand, if possible, so that they will have time to prepare themselves to contribute fully to the Congress. Study of the subjects at praesidium meetings prior to the Congress would be very beneficial. Above all, all the legionaries should be encouraged to pray for the success of the Congress, which can be so important for themselves and for their apostolate.
Mary’s Channel of Grace
Zoom Meeting ID: 811 4083 3503
Passcode: 876433
Legion of Mary Prayers and Rosary 365 days per year.
8 p.m. GMT
All welcome. Please encourage others to join in also.
Annual Legion of Mary Pilgrimage to
Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine
Sunday September 28th
