Concilium Bulletin May 2025

DUBLIN NORTHSIDE

Presentata Curia

A new junior praesidium has recently been set up. Efforts are continuing to establish a praesidium in Navan Road parish. Members are encouraged to pray a novena to Edel Quinn to increase membership. Six (6) attended the recent Patricians entitled “Why do we celebrate Easter in the Catholic Church” A praesidium with nine (9) members does street contact every Saturday morning, handing out Miraculous medals and engaging with people about our Faith. Members also volunteer in both the Regina Coeli and the Morning Star hostels, helping with preparing and serving food and befriending the residents. Patrician’s topics over the last year include “Pride & Humility”, “Angels” and “Forgiveness” These meetings are well attended by legionaries, parishioners and others wishing to enrich their faith. Maria Legionis is delivered to auxiliaries.

Queen of Peace Curia

The new Curia is steadily finding its feet and gaining strength, with encouraging attendance at the four (4) newly established praesidia. The Wednesday and two Thursday night meetings are averaging nine – ten (9–10) attendees weekly, while the early Saturday morning praesidium is averaging around six (6), with one week seeing a peak of nine (9). Several recent converts to the Church are now regularly attending meetings and engaging in street contact; one is preparing to take his Legion promise and plans to start a Rosary club in his shared accommodation. A revert has recently taken his Legion promise. The Curia participated in Dublin Day at Nazareth Hall on March 1st, which was a great success, with multiple Curia members contributing as speakers. Additionally, the Curia co-organised the “Remembering the Miracle of Monto” event on March 29th at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the shutting down of Monto. Five (5) new contacts were made at the event, one of whom has already joined in street contact and attends meetings regularly, while others intend to attend soon. Street contact and follow-up continue to thrive, drawing a steady stream of new attendees. Additional contacts with non- Catholics have been made. Week after week, Curia members are present on the North Inner City streets, developing warm relationships with locals who express gratitude for the Legion’s visible presence. Monthly visits to Cuan Mhuire continue with positive feedback from staff and residents alike; one resident reconnected with a legionary from his youth, and another, now an ex-resident, has become a mighty street contact worker and recently took his Legion Promise. A number of street contacts expressed joy at the Legion’s revival, including an elderly Dublin gentleman who shared that he had been in the Legion of Mary for ten years during the 1950s and 1960s and remembers Frank Duff well. The formation of a new praesidium is on the horizon, God willing.

Exaltata Curia

A praesidium’s main work is home visitation which is done weekly with return visits to people who require them. Miraculous Medals and prayer leaflets are distributed. Legionaries invite and encourage people to come to Sunday Mass. Alive magazines are also distributed. Recruitment is ongoing and new recruitment cards are given out. Recruitment drives were held recently in Mulhuddart and Church Street. Another praesidium’s works include home visitation, and teaching Scripture and- in the spirit of True Devotion to the Nation- the Irish language (Gaeilge) at a men’s shed. Two legionaries are involved in the Sycamore programme, a catechesis course consisting of videos, discussion groups and prayer. Members also visit sick and elderly parishioners.

Consolata Curia

As recommended by Concilium, Curia organised street contact in Donabate and Rush in April and May. A total of nine hundred and sixty- eight (968) medals were distributed by twenty (20) legionaries, who were blessed by the priest before beginning their work. A praesidium’s works include manning the repository before and after Masses at the weekends, which presents a good opportunity to meet parishioners and people visiting the parish. Contacts range from helping a parishioner with a sprained foot, to a French student who needed a phone charger and a place to rest, to helping a homeless man whose sister had died. Invitations are given out for the monthly Frank Duff meeting. Legionaries also promote the Annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes for Invalids. A senior praesidium and a junior praesidium collaborate to organise the Faith ’n’ Fun project each year. Other works include home visitation - talking and listening to parishioners, distributing Legion of Mary prayer packs and inviting contacts to return to the sacraments. The annual Rosary Procession is held in October and the visitation statue of Our Lady is blessed at the evening Mass. Alive publications are distributed and auxiliary members are invited to the weekly Rosary and Tessera prayers. The reporting praesidium hosted eight (8) Patrician meetings during the year. One member undertook a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project. A recruiting drive was held in St. Anne’s parish, Portmarnock in April and in St. Maur’s parish, Rush, at the beginning of May. Patricians’ titles for March and April were “What does God want from you today”? and “The Christian Meaning of Human Suffering”. These were attended by five (5) legionaries and one patrician, and four (4) legionaries and three (3) parishioners respectively.

Bethlehem Curia

Curia organises a book barrow on the first Saturday of the month and distributes Miraculous Medals and Legion of Mary literature. The recent Venerable Edel Quinn promoters’ meeting was attended by eight (8) people. A praesidium distributes fifty (50) copies of Maria Legionis and this ensures regular visits to the subscribers. Two (2) contacts are considering joining the Catholic Church and are being helped by the legionaries. Members delivered a Christmas card and copies of ‘Gems of Wisdom’. Visitation to residents in another centre includes praying the Rosary, with residents adding their own intentions. Miraculous Medals are offered and explained and legionaries chat over a cup of tea.

Porta Coeli Curia

A praesidium’s main work is home visitation. Mass times, Catholic literature, Miraculous Medals, and Brown Scapulars are distributed and most families give the legionaries a warm welcome. The main work of another praesidium is hospital visitation. During Easter, the members organised the Good Friday ceremonies in the hospital, with a good attendance of patients. Other works in the Curia include: visiting nursing homes, and the housebound with Holy Communion, arranging medical appointments and doing shopping for them. The Rosary is prayed with an auxiliary member, who has taken part in more than fifty (50) PPC projects going back to the 1960’s. One hundred (100) copies of Maria Legionis are distributed quarterly. The Curia Retreat will take place on Sunday May 25th in Killester Parish Centre.

Veneranda Curia

Veneranda Curia has nine (9) attached praesidia and a total of forty- five (45) members. Curia officers are busy organising the Frank Duff Ceremony in Glasnevin on Sunday June 8th. Three (3) members of the new praesidium in Our Lady of Victories parish are due to take their Legion promise. A praesidium’s main work is street apostolate. Approach is made with the leaflet “The Agony of Jesus in the Garden” which presents an opportunity to talk about the Mass. Legionaries continue to send birthday and Christmas cards to the members of St. Michael’s Club for those with special needs, although the club no longer meets. A Croatian legionary brings Miraculous Medals with him when he returns home for a visit. As Benedicta Curia Report was inadvertently omitted from last month’s Dublin Southside Report, it is included today.

Benedicta Curia*

(* report included this month, as it was inadvertently omitted last month).

Benedicta Curia is making a special effort to promote Servant of God, Alfie Lambe, by placing a banner prominently at the railings of the front garden of the Legion of Mary house. It is attracting a lot of attention. Street contact work is done every week outside Benedicta House or at the Rialto shopping centre. Home visitation to about twenty (20) homes is carried out each week in Drimnagh, Rialto and Ceannfort. Contacts are invited attend a Legion of Mary meeting or become an auxiliary; Miraculous medals and Legion of Mary literature are distributed. All contacts are invited to attend the Rosary. The people in the established Ceannfort estate are largely welcoming to the legionaries. Several were active members when they were younger, and one lady remembers being a junior legionary. Hospital visitation is done once or twice per month. Contact is made with both patients and staff. Miraculous Medals, literature and Maria Legionis journals are given out. The Rosary is prayed every week in Rialto and in Ceannfort. Some locals join in, and efforts are being made to promote the Rosary more widely within the parish. Recruiting is done at the weekly Rosary, outside Benedicta House and on home visitation work. Twenty- eight (28) recruiting efforts were reported in the past month. A joint Congress with Gloriosa Curia is planned for June.

IRELAND

COMITIA

Elphin Comitium

A recruitment drive took place on September 21st and 22nd 2024 with great support from Elphin, Roscommon and Ballinmeen parishes. One former member returned to the Legion and others enrolled as auxiliary members. In August the book barrow was taken out on to the street in for the fair day. Many called to the stand. The Faith was discussed and a number of visitors gave their names to enrol as auxiliary members. The Pilgrim Statue was taken to the three primary schools during May and gift packs- which included Miraculous medals, beads and Holy Water- were given to the children preparing to receive First Holy Communion and confirmation.

Tuam Comitium

The legionaries of Tuam Comitium staff the Knock Office at the Basilica on a regular basis. A few of the praesidia visit the national schools and help to prepare the children for the sacraments. The Acies ceremony was held in Tuam and Claremorris. The president of the Comitium has had to step down due to ill health. A new president has not yet been elected.

Carlow Comitium

The Comitium is planning to have a Congress later in the year. Kildare Curia is working well and giving attention to the new praesidium in Sallins. On the feast of Our Lady of Fatima two legionaries joined with another parish group distributing Miraculous medals in Kilkenny city.

CURIAE

Clonfert Curia

The Curia has five (5) praesidia. A better attendance was recorded at the Curia meeting in February. Three (3) members of the Clonfert praesidium were present. Legionaries in the Curia are hoping to take part in Maria et Patria (MEP) projects that are being organised for Killala and Longford.

Galway Curia

The Spiritual Director of the Curia and another member brought a group of nine (9) young people on the Deus et Patria Annual Ski trip in January. This was a great success involving daily prayer and evangelisation activities. The Acies was held on March 23rd at Our Lady assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas Cathedral. A praesidium presented its 7th annual report. The works include nursing home and hospital visitation. A recruitment appeal is being planned. The Curia continues with the visitation of the attached praesidia.

Killala Curia

The Acies was held on March 21st. A very successful project was held on the March 25th and 26th March in Ballina. Eighteen (18) legionaries in the West of Ireland took part in the project. Some very good contacts were made. These included an Atheist who declined the Miraculous Medal. A young man in his thirties said hewould like to get back to practice. He said his friends were discussing God and more.

Ferns Curia

Our Lady of Lourdes praesidium has been re-established after a five (5) year break. There are seven (7) active, two (2) auxiliary and two (2) praetorian members. The apostolate includes home visitation, promotion of enthronement of the Sacred Heart and distribution of Miraculous Medals and literature. The praesidium in Gorey has six(6) active members and two (2) probationary members. At the Tinahealy show a man who was persuaded back to confession after thirty (30) years found it a positive experience.

Achonry Curia

A new president for the Curia was elected in March. There are currently three (3) praesidia in the Curia. Charlestown praesidium has five (5) members. Fr. John Durkan is Spiritual Director of the praesidium in Killasser which began in Autumn 2024. All praesidia in the Curia engage in visitation of the sick in hospitals, homes and nursing homes.

EUROPE B

ENGLAND

Brentwood Regia

A praesidium of eight (8) active members, one praetorian, sixty- six (66) auxiliaries and three (3) adjutorian members. Works include visiting housebound parishioners at home, in hospitals and nursing homes and assisting with transport to Church ceremonies. They undertake home to home visitation and invite new parishioners to the Church.

Brentwood East Curia

There are eight (8) senior praesidia in the Curia with forty- four (44) active members, six (6) of whom are praetorians and there are six (6) probationary active members. Praesidia are visited every eight (8) months. During home visitation one praesidium met forty- one (41) Catholics unknown to the parish since their last report making a total of two hundred and fifteen (215) since the door to door visiting began. The Curia is in the process of forming a new praesidium in Colchester.

Birmingham Senatus

Extension: In Walsall- Wolverhampton Curia great efforts are being made to recruit and extend the Legion of Mary. Three (3) parishes are planned for extension in Wolverhampton. Curiae reports – In West Birmingham Curia there are eight (8) senior and one junior praesidium. The legionaries are engaging in a good apostolate of home visitation, street contact, managing a book barrow, and praying rosaries in schools. The Curia is planning to undertake prison visitation for the Jubilee year. North Hampton Comitium reported seven (7) new members since the last report.

Councils under the care of Birmingham Senatus

Swansea Curia has six (6) praesidia attached and one junior praesidium. Invitations to Christmas services in the Cathedral were distributed to lapsed Catholics and interested non-Catholics. A higher attendance over the Christmas period was reported.

Central London Curia

A praesidium with seven (7) active members carry out home visitation, hospitals, care homes, crowd contact, catechism classes to first communion and confirmation children, church cleaning, care of a junior praesidium.

North East London

A praesidium with three (3) active members carry out duties for Mass in the local prison.

Liverpool Senatus

The Senatus still has vacant officerships after one year.

Manchester Comitium

Since the start of the Jubilee Year, two (2) new praesidia have been started. Reports from attached praesidia mentioned book barrow, street contact, visiting the sick and nursing homes but no home visitation was reported.

Middlesbrough Comitium

Our Lady of Mercy praesidium, have five (5) active and eight (8) auxiliary members. Street contact is done on the second Sunday of each month.

SWEDEN

Our Lady of Mercy Curia has twelve (12) praesidia attached, eight (8) of which attend from the Stockholm area. Our Lady of Guadalupe praesidium has thirteen (13) active and four (4) auxiliary members. Works include weekly visitation to homes and nursing homes, and street contact. The praesidium in Gothenburg is functioning well according to the visit made by Br. and Sr. Feely when three (3) more members took their Legion promise.

Senatus of Scotland

Greenock &District reported excellent works carried out. The primary school is visited and the Rosary is prayed with the children and they are told of the apparitions of Our Lady. Door to door visitation continues in a large new housing estate in Paisley whereby letters of welcome from clergy and a leaflet containing information about parish groups are delivered. The praesidium at Strathclyde University has a book barrow on the campus and members were urged to continue this work. Canon Conroy of Glasgow University is keen for the Legion of Mary to restart next year. The Bishop of Helsinki would welcome a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) team visit in July.

FRANCE

Paris Senatus

Attendance at monthly Senatus meetings continues to improve. After eighty (80) years at 43 rue Boileau, the Headquarter of the Legion of Mary is now located in the parish of St Germain de Charonne. The parish priest has welcomed the Legion and is keen to have the Legion actively participate in parish life. A new Committee for the Permanence in Lourdes was recently elected. Reports from Reunion include Comitium highlighting works such as visiting the sick and Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes. The correspondent for Madagascar has requested assistance from the Senatus.

THE NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam Regia

The praesidium in Groningen helps to transport invalids to the church. A new praesidium was started by the Cape Verde Curia in Rotterdam.

BELGIUM

Antwerp Regia

Thank you for you communication. We look forward to hearing from you in your next report.

BELGIUM

Brussels

A praesidium of eight (8) active members and twelve (12) auxiliaries, undertakes home visitation and crowd contact work, in Central Brussels. Two (2) members took part in a parish mission and spoke about the Legion of Mary. A praesidium of twenty (20) active members, eight (8) of whom are praetorians gained two (2) new members. Praetorian members pray the Catena after daily Mass. This has attracted several visitors to the meetings. A weekend Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) conference was held and two (2) projects featured in the presentations.

FINLAND

Helsinki

Stella Maris praesidium has a Spiritual Director who is very attentive to the praesidium. There are eight (8) active members there, and one probationer who recently took his Legion promise. Two (2) members regularly visit families in their homes with the Pilgrim Virgin Statue and pray the rosary with them. Crowd contact is carried out at Railway and Metro stations and parks, and Miraculous Medals are always offered. The praesidium is involved in delivery of catechism class for parish confirmation with six (6) teens participated in the class. The member prepared them for making confession and instructed about the steps of confession and made them practice step by step.

GERMANY

Frankfurt Senatus

To mark the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Senatus organised an event to highlight the Christian Martyrs of the 21st Century. This was attended by twenty- seven (27) legionaries and guests. Young legionaries assist with organisation for altar serving. Legionaries desire to carry out extension work in the Frankfurt area.

Regia of Munich

Works include the organisation of day retreats for women, events for children and pre-schoolers in the church.

Regia of Cologne

Works include sacramental preparation with children, organising a children’s Bible group, participation in “Germany Prays the Rosary” campaign, visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, graveyards, Legion stands were held at the Christmas Markets. The Spanish praesidium in Luxembourg has stopped meeting at this time.

SWITZERLAND

COMITIUM OF ZURICH

The praesidia in Basel and Biel have stopped meeting at this time.

NORWAY

OSLO

Mary, Holy Mother of God, Curia Oslo was established in December 2024. It includes four (4) praesidia with twenty- seven (27) active and one hundred and two (102) auxiliary members. The praesidium in Oslo has fourteen (14) members. All other praesidia in the new Curia have four (4) or more members. The legionaries are deeply grateful to Our Lady for the establishment of a second Curia in Norway. The Curia of Mary, Ark of the Covenant, Bergen, has twenty- nine (29) active, ten (10) probationary and ninety-three (93) auxiliary members. Works include prison visitation and ministering to drug addicts who live under a bridge in Bergen. They prepare candidates for baptism, teach catechism to children and youths, visit the sick in their homes, hospitals, arrange confession with a priest, visit asylum seekers and assist priests at the time of funerals. The full translation of the 2024 Norwegian Handbook will be completed in the autumn of 2025.

KAZAKSTAN

The Curia has five (5) praesidia. Five (5) legionaries have expressed willingness to help with extension work in Siberia.

AFRICA C

BENIN

Cotonou Regia

The March minutes documented the elections of four (4) new Regia officers. Unfortunately, there are some problems which the correspondent will have to query before ratification. The reports mention many new catechumens, adult and child baptisms and returns to the sacraments. The distant Councils encounter low attendance at the meetings because of long distances and financial difficulties for travelling. There is also mention of illiteracy. Extension and consolidation are ongoing, one audit was reported on and the two (2) Patrician groups meet on a monthly basis.

GABON

Cotonou Regia would like to make a visit to Gabon, but cannot at the moment because of financial difficulties. Concilium is reviewing the situation.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Our Lady of Congo Senatus.

Summary of the Minutes for August, September and October 2024. Senatus has two (2) Regia, five (5) Comitia, fourteen (14) Curiae and thirty- five (35) praesidia. Combined works lead to over one hundred thousand (100,000) people contacted during street contact, i.e. over sixteen thousand (16,000) Catholics, nine hundred and sixty- six (966) Orthodox, eight thousand (8,000) Protestants, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety- five (1,795) Muslims, three thousand two hundred and ninety- nine (3,299) Pagans, two thousand, two hundred and seventy- four (2,274) Salvationists, seven thousand, nine hundred and sixty (7,960) of new religious movements and seven hundred and seventy- two (772) not interested. Visits are made to the sick in hospitals and homes, prisoners, widows and widowers, orphanages and those suffering in poverty. As a result three hundred and thirty- nine (339) accepted to take Catechism classes, five hundred and seventy (570) promised to come back to church, eighty (80) couples encouraged to be married in Church, two hundred (200) couples reunited, twenty- six (26) asked to be baptised, (288) returned to the Sacraments. In one Comitium (300) attended their Acies, two hundred and twenty- five (225) young legionaries took part in a Spiritual Retreat, sixty (60) members prayed the Rosary with parishioners and thirty- eight (38) made their Promise. Most legionaries are also involved in parish ministry.

TOGO

Lomé Senatus

A request came to have the handbook printed locally in Senegal in order to save on freight and other expenses and also to translate the handbook in the local dialect, which Concilium might consider helping out with. In the last three (3) sets of minutes, there was mention of many Exploratio projects and week-end evangelisation projects undertaken. The reports also show that great efforts are being made to restart and enhance praesidia that are not fully operational, while new praesidia and Curiae are being set up. A Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project to Ghana is expected to take place in August. Home, hospital and prison visitation as well as street contact and book barrow contacts are some of the works mentioned as well as many catechumens, conversions and abortions averted.

Councils under the caretaker ship of Lomé Senatus:

SENEGAL

Dakar Regia has twenty- two (22) adult and one (1) junior praesidium, six (6) Curiae and four (4) Comitia affiliated. They are in the process of creating two (2) new Curiae and two (2) new praesidia. Works include home, hospital and prison visitation and running catechesis classes.

GUINEA

Conakry Comitium has six (6) Curiae and eight (8) attached praesidia with just over one thousand (1,000) active legionaries. Two (2) new praesidia have been set up and works include home, hospital, prison and orphanage visitation and the running of catechesis classes.

CAMEROON

Douala Senatus mentions works such as home, hospital and orphanage visitation, street contact and catechesis classes given. Exploratio Dominicalis was mentioned. The January and February minutes had two (2) junior Curiae reports with six (6) and nineteen (19) praesidia respectively. The juniors also carry out home visitation and street contact, serve Mass and help bringing people to Mass.

ASIA A

INDIA

Chennai Senatus Three (3) praesidia, four (4) Curiae and three (3) Comitia reported in this period with a total of (4,495) active, (440) praetorian and (950) auxiliary members. Works mentioned include enthronement of homes to the Sacred Heart, visits to destitute homes, orphanages and the sick, preparation for the sacraments and restoration of peace in families.

Pondicherry Senatus operates in all four (4) dioceses. In addition to the usual works they prevented a number of suicides, taught catechism, and all were urged to start junior praesidia.

Vishakhapatnam Regia is just back in touch. Sample minutes

have been sent to them to increase the information provided. Five (5) of the attached Comitia are at a great distance away from the Regia.

Kerala Senatus Home and hospital visitation are the main works carried out. In October a Rosary Rally attended by over six thousand (6,000) was organised.

Karnataka Senatus The reporting councils and praesidia visited three thousand six hundred and eight (3,608) Catholic and fifty- four (54) Hindu homes. One thousand, two hundred and fourteen (1,214) Scapulars were distributed and one hundred (120) attended the Congress in November.

Mumbai Senatus

The Hindi, Marathi and Konkani handbooks are being printed from their own resources. Three (3) Senatus officers visited Amravati Diocese and started a praesidium of twenty-one (21) members in the Cathedral parish. In Mumbai one thousand (1,000) contacts were made at a church bookstall. Juniors are raising awareness among their peers as to the harm of use of tobacco products.

Kottar Regia

Each month a report is taken about Extension. In November there were reports of two (2) praesidia of nine (9) and twelve (12) members, in December three (3) praesidia with fifteen, eleven, and twelve (15, 11 and 12) members, in January one (1) with twenty (20) members and in February three (3) with seventeen, thirteen and seventeen (17, 13 and 17) new members. Excellent membership details are provided showing an increase of one thousand, five hundred and eighty- seven (1,587) new members. Counselling of alcoholics, preparation for the sacraments and rectification of marriages of fifty- nine (59) couples featured. Rosary processions had between eight hundred (800) and one thousand, four hundred (1,400) participating. Forty-five (45) legionaries took part in an Exploratio Dominicalis project to three hundred and thirty- one (331) families.

SRI LANKA

Better attendance at the Senatus meetings is being encouraged. Homes, hospital and teaching catechism feature, as well as organising many devotional exercises. The juniors operate in five (5) schools and four (4) parishes. They organised a Marian competition for art, poetry and short stories.

PAKISTAN

Karachi Comitium has fifteen (15) praesidia attached and a Curia with twelve (12) praesidia. Sick people are visited and this apostolate includes an outreach to Protestants. Three (3) new praesidia were formed and three hundred and fifty (350) attended the Acies.

MYANMAR

Sixty- two (62) couples were prepared for Catholic marriage. Eighteen (18) homes were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

THAILAND

Bangkok Senatus

Two Curiae reported the enthronement of an additional seventy- eight (78) homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the renewal of the enthronement of five (5) homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus since the last report. A prayer- group and group-study of Frank Duff’s biography has begun at Mother Mediatrix Curia. The idea of more street contact for the Jubilee Year of Hope was well received and a new initiative is beginning in this regard. The Spiritual Director is translating the 33 Day Preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary into Thai. Our Lady of Mercy Comitium has recruited two hundred and sixteen (216) probationary members, twenty (20) auxiliary members, and one active member since the last report. More contact with ethnic hill people, who are all converts, continues to have good effect.

VIETNAM

An average of ninety (90) attend the Senatus meetings. Thirty (30) new members were recruited. Some parishes do not have the Legion partly because of poor roads, many immigrants and social evils. There is great support from the clergy in all Councils reporting.

THE HOLY LAND

Despite war restrictions much good work is done. Three (3) praesidia in Iblin were formed into a Curia and two (2) new praesidia started in Ramleh. There was joy at the February meeting when the Curia in Galilee resumed after eighteen (18) months. They started a new praesidium of ten (10) in Jordan which last had Legion of Mary presence in the 1960s. The correspondent is in discussion with the Comitium about the need to use correct legionary terminology such as praesidia, Extension etc.

LEBANON

Two (2) new praesidia started in the Bekaa and Byblos regions. They prepared children for First Holy Communion and organise summer camps for children. The praesidum in Beirut organised days for elderly, people suffering from mental health issues and a retreat around the Feast of the Annunciation.

ARMENIA

The praesidium in Yerevan carry out visitation to soldiers injured in the Forty- four (44) day war, and also to displaced families. The Comitium has agreed to look after a praesidium in Tblisi and visited it but it has yet to undertake active work.

MEXICO

Mexico Senatus

Three (3) different Councils mention new junior praesidia, and the recruitment of members. Members of adult praesidia recruit their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews etc. The Regia of Puebla report seven (7) Comitia, seven (7) Curiae and six (6) praesidia attached. There is Legion of Mary presence in seven (7) of the twelve (12) dioceses in their remit. A legionary with limited mobility uses his workplace- a market- as an opportunity to make contact with customers and suppliers about the Faith. A Curia with a low number of praesidia currently has four (4) more in formation. Another Curia has ten (10) images of Our Blessed Lady in circulation from home to home. In Oaxaca the legionaries support- with short term accommodation, basic housekeeping skills, evangelisation and prayer- women who decide not to abort their baby.

Merida Senatus

Three (3) Comitia with six, five and ten (6,5 and 10) Curiae respectively and one Curia with eleven (11) praesidia reported. All Councils are actively recruiting, over two hundred (200) members made the Legion promise. A new Curia and a large number of praesidia were set up. Home visitation and street contact is the main work of the legionaries resulting in contact with Catholic families, atheists, indifference, single mothers, widows and large numbers who have joined different sects. An entire family returned to the practice of the Catholic Faith. A Protestant family agreed to have their children baptised, and continue with their formation in the Catholic Faith. Twenty- three (23) couples received the sacrament of matrimony.

Regia of Guatemala

The Regia is attached to the Senatus of Merida. The seat of the Regia is in Camotán, well removed from the capital city of Guatemala. Some years ago, the possibility of changing the seat of the Regia to Guatemala city was discussed but so far that is not feasible. During covid a Curia in Guatemala was closed and a number of praesidia were closed or reduced in membership. The remaining praesidia were affiliated to Guatemala city Comitium. However, so far the Regia in Camotán is still the stronger council. Merida Senatus corresponds with the Regia. An official visit will be carried out later this year.

Guadalajara Senatus

The Senatus of Guadalajara, which was set up recently, received reports from one Comitium, one Curia and four (4) praesidia. They report the restart of various praesidia which seemed to have disappeared during Covid. Many have returned to the practice of the Faith again. Contact with drug addicts has just been initiated. Recruitment is encouraged and new praesidia comprised largely of young people are in formation.

CENTRAL AMERICA

HONDURAS

Senatus of Tegucigalpa

The Senatus has visited a number of the Councils and praesidia attached and found them positive and working well. Some Councils have organised a Congress, which seems to have been a positive help to members. They celebrated the feast of our Lady of Suyapa on February 3rd. The Jubilee Year of Hope was emphasised. Attendance at the Senatus meeting has improved.

NICARAGUA

Managua Regia

There are four (4) Curiae and eleven (11) praesidia affiliated to the Regia. A Legion Congress, which was held on February 15th was well attended and legionaries shared valuable contributions. A retreat was due to take place on March 22nd. They continue to encourage the recitation of the Rosary before the week-day Masses.

CUBA

Regia of Cienfuegos

The new Comitium is working well, taking on the different duties and responsibilities of a higher Council. While the Comitium is small, the attendance at the meeting is very good despite the fact that public transport is very difficult.

COSTA RICA

The Senatus of San José distributed the Concilium Bulletin to the different praesidia. During this Jubilee Year of Hope, many families met on home visitation are arranging Consecration of their homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the months of May and October, recitation of the Rosary is organised with various family groups. Legionaries also organise and lead catechism classes. Recruitment of active and auxiliary members is ongoing.

Approval sought for matters in Burkina Faso

Permission for the following was sought and sanctioned at the May Concilium Meeting.

a) Raising of a Regia

at Burkina Faso, in French-speaking West Africa, which has over eleven thousand (11,000) Legion members. Our Lady of Yagma Comitium in

the capital, Ouagadougou, which has over seven thousand (7,000) members in thirty (30) Curiae and one hundred and fifty (150) praesidia. In order to give representation to the rest of the country to be raised to a Regia. Regional Comitia and Curiae have given their assent to reporting to the proposed new Regia, and in that way Concilium will hear about them. Ouagadougou Comitium has also been advised to split some of its Curiae into a separate comitium to make governance easier for them.

b) Translation of the Handbook into two indigenous languages

Concilium to receive quotations for translation and printing into Mooré and Dioula. At present, praesidia use French handbooks, but it is a language not well understood by sections of the membership.

c) Assistance to buy a vehicle to help the new council carry out its duties in this large country which is approximately 75,000 square miles… about 2.3 times the size of Ireland.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Approval has been given by the Body for a Regia in the Diocese of Bunia and the province of Irmu. Attached to the Regia are twenty- two (22) praesidia, five (5) Curiae, ten (10) Comitia, and five (5) Comitia in formation. Total number of legionaries four thousand, nine hundred and twenty- four (4,924) seniors, one thousand, two hundred and forty- four (1,244) juniors, five hundred and forty-two (542) praesidia and one hundred and eleven (111) Curiae with over two thousand (2,000) auxiliaries.

Inner City Legion Project

Saturday 21st June 2025-

Friday 27th June 2025, Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Two sessions per day: 9 a.m.- 12 noon, 2- 5 p.m.

Tea/ Coffee/ Lunch at 1 p.m.

Myra House,100 Francis Street, Dublin 8.

All active members are invited to bring the Joy of the Gospel to inner-city Dublin during this special project, in which now Servant of God Frank Duff participated.

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Some Handbook Reflections

True Devotion to Mary

(p.1 -2 in the Some Handbook Reflections).

It is desirable that the practice of the Legionary devotion to Mary should be rounded off and given the distinctive character which has been taught by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort under the titles of “The True Devotion” or the “Slavery of Mary”, and which is enshrined in his two books, “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” and the “Secret of Mary.” (Legion Handbook, Chap. 6 .5).

“Furthermore, Marian spirituality, like its corresponding devotion, finds a very rich source in the historical experience of individuals and of the various Christian communities present among the different peoples and nations of the world. In this regard, I would like to recall, among the many witnesses and teachers of this spirituality, the figure of St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, who proposes consecration to Christ through the hands of Mary, as an effective means for Christians to live faithfully their baptismal commitments. I am pleased to note that in our time too new manifestations of this spirituality and devotion are not lacking.” (Pope John Paul 11: Redemptoris Mater, 48).

“It is intriguing that the Legion should start immediately after what I might call a “Patrician discussion” on the subject of the True Devotion, as if the minds of the future members had to be fully acclimatised to Mary before they were fit for membership; before they could become the Legion of Mary”. (Frank Duff: Virgo Praedicanda, 21).

“The fact is that one cannot emphasise too much the value of the True Devotion as a supplement to the Handbook and the entire Legion system. St. LouisMarie’s words of fire uplift Our Lady from the level of pure doctrine and give her substance as a person, our Mother with intimate charge of our lives, utterly indispensable to us, our Queen, our leader, the very thought of whom inspires courage and stimulates one to undertake the impossible.” (Frank Duff: Victory through Mary, 39).

The following books on the True devotion to Mary are available from the Concilium :- 1 Treatise on the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. (St. Louis Marie de Montfort) The Secret of Mary. (St. Louis Marie de Montfort) The De Montfort Way. (Frank Duff) True Devotion to Mary. (Rev. Michael Kennedy, C.C.).

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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 on a Saturday 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.

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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.

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First Friday of the month All Night Vigil

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Could there be a more beautiful way to spend the First Friday night of the month than at an All Night Vigil in the magnificent Oratory at the Morning Star Hostel, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7?

We are so grateful to all who facilitate what is a very profound monthly retreat. Attendance incorporates the First Friday Devotions in honour of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the First Saturday Devotions in honour of The Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Holy Mass at 9 p.m. on the First Friday begins this awesome time, and Holy Mass at 8 a.m. on the First Saturday brings it to a close.

May all who can attend do so and have the generosity of heart to tell others about it, and bring them along where possible.

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Sacred Heart Women’s Sodality

All are most warmly welcome to the Sacred Heart Women’s Sodality in the beautiful and recently refurbished Oratory at the Regina Coeli Hostel, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7. Please extend this invitation to others also. We look forward to seeing you there on the last Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

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Sacred Heart Men’s Sodality

All are welcome to the Sacred Heart Men’s Sodality at the Morning Star Hostel, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 on the last Friday of every month at 7:45 p.m. Please invite others also.

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33 Day Preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary

A reminder to all that this publication- modelled on that of St. Louis Marie De Montfort- is available from Concilium. It is a great resource for all, especially Councils organising for all legionaries to complete this 33 Day Preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary collectively.

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Enthronement of The Sacred Heart in homes

“The Enthronement visitation forms the most fruitful of all introductions, striking the right note of simple piety from the very commencement, facilitating acquaintance and hence repeated visits, and rendering easy the development of the Legion apostolate.”

Legion of Mary Handbook (p.234).

As we continue to carry out and promote this work and Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus such as the establishment, spread and promotion of the First Friday Devotions, may we draw deeply from the well of the words of Pope Francis R.I.P. in Dilexit Nos (p.93) when he stated “in your own way, you too must be a missionary,” and be inspired by his encouragement of us and all when he declared “Each must carry it out in his or her own way; you will come to see how you can be a missionary. Jesus deserves no less. If you accept the challenge, he will enlighten you, accompany you and strengthen you, and you will have an enriching experience that will bring you much happiness. It is not important whether you see immediate results; leave that to the Lord who works in the secret of our hearts. Keep experiencing the joy born of our efforts to share the love of Christ with others.”