Concilium Bulletin September 2025
DUBLIN NORTHSIDE CURIAE
Porta Coeli Curia
The Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima apostolate is ongoing. Nursing homes, the homebound and parishioners who are sick are visited. A praesidium carrying out hospital visitation helps to distribute Holy Communion to all wards. Home visitation in another praesidium involves promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, house- blessings, informing people of the various feast days and providing times of Masses to people who have lapsed. A good reception is enjoyed on visitation. All flyers for the young adult conference were distributed and given to parish secretaries for inclusion in the parish bulletins. One hundred (100) copies of Maria Legionis are distributed.
Veneranda Curia
Visitation to homes in Whitehall is continuing. Packs containing a blessed crucifix and parish information have been delivered to four hundred and fifty (450) homes already. Contact work in Phibsboro is ongoing. Report of a member’s recent Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) visit to the United Kingdom was presented to Curia. Three thousand, two hundred and sixty (3,260) homes were visited, while there were one thousand, nine hundred and ninety- five (1,195) ‘no replies’. One thousand, one hundred and seventy- two (1,172) Miraculous Medals were distributed, one hundred and twenty- nine (129) Catholics were encouraged back to their Faith. Nineteen (19) people were interested in hearing more about the Catholic Faith. The main work of a praesidium with eight (8) active members is book barrow in Finglas village. Miraculous Medals, rosary beads and other devotional literature are offered. A man who stopped to talk two years ago recently told the legionaries that he has returned to Mass, and the conversation continues. Other praesidium works include visitation of two nursing homes and participation in parish liturgy group. The Irish- speaking praesidium, Muire Máthair Dé, celebrated its ten (10) years anniversary and a Mass celebrated in the Irish language was celebrated in Veneranda House. Refreshments were served afterwards. A bus has been organised for the Legion of Mary pilgrimage to Knock.
Bethlehem Curia
The Curia has organised the Jubilee monthly street contact, as recommended by Concilium, for the last nine months. The works of a praesidium with four (4) active members and twenty- five (25) auxiliary members include home visitation and book barrow. Seventy (70) copies of Maria Legionis are distributed. Miraculous Medals are gratefully accepted by First Holy Communicants who receive them. An Edel Quinn prayer meeting is held every three months, as is a Frank Duff prayer meeting.
Queen of Peace Curia
Recruitment efforts have continued during street contact, including reaching an international student from Singapore who was an active legionary there. He has already attended his first meeting and has expressed interest in starting a praesidium soon. Monthly visits to Cuan Mhuire are continuing. A former resident of Cuan Mhuire recently began living in the Morning Star hostel and happened to cross paths with a legionary he met in Cuan Mhuire. The legionary gave him a blessed crucifix and rosary beads and great fruit has been borne for the resident. Two non- Catholic- men encountered on street contact- have been receiving catechesis over the past few months. Their full reception into the Catholic Church is being arranged. Street contact has continued every Thursday and Saturday, with many fruitful conversations, including those with a large group of non-Catholics visiting from Canada who committed to exploring the Catholic Faith, and with a septuagenarian from the United Kingdom who is an atheist, having been raised in an atheist household and having spent his whole life dismissing God and religion as ‘mumbo jumbo’ and was struck when told that his conscience is the voice of Christ. A legionary prayed a Hail Mary with him and he accepted a Miraculous Medal.
Presentata Curia
The new praesidium in Navan Road parish met for the first time last week. The work of a praesidium with eighteen (18) active members and seven (7) probationary members is volunteering in the Regina Coeli hostel. A sister provides catechesis to the residents, shows Catholic videos and encourages temporary enrolment in the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA). Mass was celebrated for deceased family members of the residents. Mass was celebrated for residents and confessions were available. Sisters also organised the baptism of a child of one of the residents. The praesidium has recently set up a junior praesidium. Another praesidium has nine (9) active members and twelve (12) auxiliary members. Assisting in the Morning Star hostel, street contact and Pilgrim Statue visitation are the main works. A member accompanied a young woman in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for one year. Two newly baptised Catholics were sponsored to attend the Deus et Patria young adult conference. A weekly house prayer meeting continues in Phibsboro. Prison visitation to give emotional and spiritual support to a prisoner is carried out every second month.
Consolata Curia
Monthly Jubilee year street contact is continuing. The parish priest in Lusk expressed that he would like a praesidium and Curia is working towards that. The Faith ‘n’ Fun project for juniors took place during August. The theme was Servant of God Sr. Claire Crockett. A praesidium’s works include nursing home and home visitation. Former active legionaries are visited. Their carers have accepted sacramentals. School children preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation have received prayer packs and were addressed by a well-known sportsman.
Exaltata Curia
A recent Curia recruitment drive after Mass celebrated in Brazilian language yielded twenty- one (21) people expressing interest in the Legion of Mary, three (3) of whom have attended one or more praesidium meetings to date. A praesidium’s main works include assisting the priests by managing the rota of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, assisting with the Baptism display board, and assisting with tea after Mass. Members volunteer in the Regina Coeli hostel, doing arts and crafts, taking a resident to a monthly icon writing class, running a Bible study group, leading the rosary, promoting the Faith, assisting with medical and careers issues and all other works of the hostel. Members distributed leaflets about St. Carlo Acutis, Miraculous Medals and the parish newsletter. Another praesidium’s main works include home visitation with the Pilgrim Statue, visitation of retired legionaries in a nursing home, visitation of the elderly in their homes and outdoor rosary from May to September. The praesidium organised a bus to Knock International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine for the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage.
IRELAND
COMITIA
Cloyne Comitium
Following a Concilium visit, Cloyne and East Cloyne Curiae are working well in their separate territories. Cloyne Curia, based mainly in the Cobh area have had great success with contact work around the Cathedral and liner passengers who are delighted to receive Miraculous Medals. East Cloyne Curia have an almost perfect attendance record, stretching from Midleton across north Cork. They take note in contact work of elderly confined to home who desire Holy Communion. Praesidia visits continue.
Kerry Comitium
Communion and Confirmation classes were visited, and legionaries were warmly welcomed as Miraculous Medals and Rosaries were distributed. The Pilgrim Statue was brought to homes who requested it. Rosary at the Grotto is prayed in May and October and in cemeteries in November.
Cork Comitium
Twenty (20) officers attended the July meeting with two more on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC). A recruiting drive is underway in Mayfield. Sixteen (16) attended recent Patrician meetings while an Edel Quinn prayer group meet every Thursday from September to May. One praesidium carries out street contact every Saturday while door to door contact at forty (40) houses resulted in requests for reception of Holy Communion on First Fridays, two (2) baptisms, lapsed invited back to the Church and recruitment of five (5) auxiliaries.
Dromore Comitium
Due to illness, retirement and family commitments, two (2) praesidia are unable to attend meetings or do Legion work. Four others fulfil duties as usual. A Concilium visitation has been recommended to iron out admin. problems and advise on the best way forward. Keep in prayer.
Thurles Comitium
The last three (3) Comitium meetings were well attended. A junior praesidium, led by two (2) senior members, work at home, deliver Alive newspapers, serve at Mass, join senior members in saying the Rosary, take part in two yearly processions and assist with recruiting. Our Lady of Oola praesidium visited sacrament classes and left the Pilgrim Statue with a teacher, a former junior legionary. They carried out extension work in Tipperary town, meeting students on the street. Our Lady of Fatima praesidium visit a nursing home where a retired canon is resident. They organised the Golden Jubilee of St. Mary’s Church for the Archbishop. Fr. Killian Heney gave his first blessing to twenty- nine (29) legionaries in Edel Quinn Hall. The praesidium at Killenaule had twenty- six (26) legionaries on retreat in Clonmel and fourteen (14) at a Patrician meeting. Cashel are planning extension work in Golden and Carrick-on-Suir. Four (4) legionaries went on Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) in July and were warmly received.
CURIAE
East Clare Curia
There are three (3) praesidia with good attendance. As a small Curia, the spirit is good. Works include extensive home visitation in Ennis and Clarecastle. The Fatima Statue is often accepted when offered. Public Rosary features strongly in Killaloe where forty- six (46) carried out visitation in June.
Waterford Curia
Sixteen (16) officers attended in July. A new praesidium is in formation. One hundred and fifty (150) attended the May Procession with another prepared for September 8th. Bishop Phonsie Cullinane congratulated legionaries in Waterford on their recent extension work in the city. The Curia Retreat was well attended. Home visitation in Tramore resulted in many requesting Enthronement to the Sacred Heart. Brown Scapular enrolment reached sixty (60).
Birr/ Roscrea/ Nenagh Curia
Legion outdoor work has slowed while church maintenance continues. One member was Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) in Ailesbury, England which was rewarding. A number of legionaries have volunteered to engage in crowd contact at The Ploughing Championships in Tullamore in September.
Lismore Curia
Rosary at the Grotto takes place in Dungarvan. A large crowd turned out for the May Procession. Plans are in place for home visitation while works of consolation are ongoing.
Limerick Curia
The Curia has a new president, vice-president and treasurer. Two (2) new active members and one auxiliary member have been recruited. Recruitment drives in two parishes and a Maria et Patria (MEP) project at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) start shortly. Two (2) praesidia are due to merge due to falling membership. The three hundred and ninety euro (E390) debt to Concilium has been paid. One praesidium visited a halting site and have been invited back. It is to be a regular part of Legion work. Young adults are invited to Limerick Diocesan Centre. There are hopes of a new junior praesidium starting shortly. A priest has agreed to become Spiritual Director to a new praesidium at the Curia. Mass was celebrated and Confessions available at a Parish Social on August 15th at Legion of Mary’s Assumpta House.
Ross Curia
The newsletter, ‘Beannacht ó Skibbereen’ is being posted to three hundred (300) emigrants since 1960. Postage is covered by grateful recipients. Clonakilty had their Legion of Mary stand at the Show where throngs of children and parents received Miraculous Medals, Rosaries and Brown Scapulars. Other works include visitation of nursing homes for prayer, leaflets and chat, bringing elderly to Sunday Mass and reciting the Rosary in local cemeteries which are maintained by the Legion of Mary. Numbers increase dramatically in May and October.
EUROPE B
FRANCE
France Senatus
Legionaries participate in extension weekends and evangelise at the market in Dax once a month. Legionaries were inspired by the Europe Call to Arms Day after seeing the video of street contact carried out in Dublin. They are now evangelising in the town centre distributing Miraculous Medals. Legionaries in Dax and Saint Sever promoted the Legion in the Parish of Saint Giron’s de Charousse. They were warmly welcomed by the parish and parishioners. Many explanatory leaflets were accepted. Contacts expressed interest and now an information meeting is being planned. The presidium in Lourdes has nine (9) members and works include maintaining an active presence in the Sanctuary. Legionaries contact pilgrims while standing outside Parvis of Saint Bernadette and engage in conversation and distribute small explanatory leaflets of the message of Lourdes. The Permanence has welcomed legionaries from Strasbourg, Germany, Austria and Malta.
GERMANY
Frankfurt Senatus
The seven hundredth (700th) meeting of the Senatus took place in May. The Papal Nuncio, seventeen (17) priests and approximately three hundred (300) legionaries were present at the opening Pontifical High Mass. The Senatus of Vienna, Pris, Strasbourg, Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam and Munich were represented. The attachment of the Curiae of Siberia, Kazakhstan and Norway was very positive for the Senatus.
NORWAY
The president of Zurich Comitium and the correspondent visited the Curiae of Bergen and Oslo from 3rd – 7th September. Curia Bergen has thirty- four (34) active members and one hundred and twenty (120) auxiliary members, and Oslo have thirty- seven (37) active members and six (6) probationers. There are ten (10) praesidia in Norway, and a new praesidium has been established in Odda which is one hundred and thirty kilometres (130km) from Bergen. Works include the strengthening of Catholic life and culture, particularly Catholic marriage and assisting the priest with funerals and burials. Legionaries regularly visit Bergen prison, assist with preparations for baptisms, teaching Catholicism to the youth and visit the sick in hospitals and nursing homes.
Regia of Cologne
The Curia of Hamburg is attaching itself to the Comitium of Berlin for a one-year trial period as the distance is much shorter. Legionaries visit and pray weekly with people suffering from drug addiction in Hamburg. Candidates are prepared for confirmation and other works include preparation of children for reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, altar servers and children’s Bible group. The Legion had a stand at the Lutheran church where many people visited the stand and discussed the faith. A Peregrinatio Pro Christo project was carried out in Maria Einsiedel and thirty (30) participated. Over five hundred (500) Miraculous Medals were distributed in Lourdes to an international soldiers’ pilgrimage.
Amsterdam Regia
The public rosary in Dam Square continues to thrive. The Regia has an online Rosary in different languages. Birmingham Senatus organised a Peregrinatio Pro Christo Project in Rotterdam at the invitation of Cape Verde.
Antwerp Regia
The main works consists of bringing people to Mass, visiting homes for the elderly, and recruiting auxiliary members.
Brussels Regia
The praesidium in St. Roch’s Parish has twelve (12) active and three (3) auxiliary members. A variety of works were carried out including assisting the priest in the parish. They visit the sick and widows, help people who are homebound with housework, and bring Holy Communion to those who request it. They carry out evangelisation and meet non-Catholics, and couples with marriage difficulties. Another praesidium working in the same parish has ten (10) active and eight (8) auxiliary members. Its works include visitation of people who are sick and infirm, people who are elderly and housebound, and bringing Holy Communion to those who request it.
ENGLAND
Birmingham Senatus
A good number of Peregrinatio Pro Christo projects were held. Four (4) legionaries participated in a project in Rotterdam and worked with a project with the Cape Verdean Curia which was a great success. A total of two thousand and fifty-three (2,053) homes were approached with two hundred and seventy- two (272) Miraculous Medals distributed. Many accepted the invitation to come to Church. A full day Congress was held at St. Dunstan’s, Kings Heath in July. It was well attended.
Bambury held its first local Acies with full attendance. Legionaries from two praesidia carried out visitation to four hundred and twenty- six (426) homes. They engaged in good dialogue with sixty- seven (67) people of all faiths and none. All were invited to visit the local Catholic Church.
Bristol Curia has fifteen (15) praesidia and works include a public rosary for peace in the town square. A person away from the sacraments for some time was very moved during the rosary and asked to be brought to a priest for confession.
Northampton: Comitium has five (5) praesidia and one Curia attached. Two (2) recruitment drives were held. Works carried out include visitation of people who are homebound and of schools as well as preparation of people to receive the sacraments of baptism and confirmation.
West Birmingham Curia has eleven (11) praesidia. Works include home visitation. Four hundred (400) rosaries were gifted to schools, and prison visitation was planned.
Brentwood Regia
Brentwood East Curia has nine (9) senior praesidia totalling fifty- three (53) active members six (6) praetorians and twelve (12) probationers. Works of praesidia generally are visiting the sick, housebound and those in care homes and hospitals. One praesidium completed a three-year parish wide door-to-door visitation, calling at approximately fourteen thousand (14,000) homes. During this mission a lapsed Catholic was encouraged to return to Mass. A few months later he and his wife attended Mass and joyfully shared with legionaries that their call had “worked” and that they now attend Mass regularly and invited legionaries to their child’s baptism. Two (2) praesidia take the Pilgrim Statues from home to home each week. A praesidium that experienced a decline in membership organised a recruiting drive and changed meeting times which resulted in six (6) new members, four (4) of whom have already taken the Legion promise.
Central London Curia
A praesidium has nine (9) active members and seventy- three (73) auxiliary members. Works include street contact and crowd contact, book barrow and dissemination of Catholic literature. During book barrow work, a praesidium gave out a variety of literature, rosaries and Miraculous Medals. A group give out one thousand, four hundred and eighty- six (1,486) rosaries with leaflets, one thousand and two hundred (1,200) Miraculous Medals, fifty (50) copies of Frank Duff’s booklet titled “Can we be Saints”, two hundred (200) Sacrament of Confessions leaflets, several copies of Maria Legionis shared by members after reading them, several religious statues of saints, and rosaries donated by parishioners. Arrangements are underway to hold the Central London Call to Arm Conference on the 29th of November 2025.
SCOTLAND
Senatus of Scotland
Greenock Curia has three (3) praesidia with seventeen (17) active members and one hundred and ninety- four (194) auxiliary members. They recently held a recruiting drive. On Christmas morning, legionaries took the Christmas crib to a nursing home. They undertook a wide range of works including bringing the relic of the True Cross on visitation. A recruitment drive at Saint Ninian’s resulted in eight (8) names being received for active membership. The annual day at Carfin was planned for May and on the 13th of each month following this. Fr. Des Broderick, the oldest priest in Scotland die in April, one month before his 100th birthday. He was a former Spiritual Director of the Senatus.
Liverpool Senatus
Leeds Curia has successfully established six (6) new praesidia in the Leeds and Sheffield areas, all with strong membership.
SWEDEN
Our Lady of Mercy Curia is starting a new Swedish- speaking praesidium. They are also, at the request of the Spanish chaplain, considering starting a Spanish- speaking praesidium.
CENTRAL AMERICA, CUBA, PUERTO RICO
AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Mexico City Senatus
The Senatus was represented at the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the foundation of the Regia in Puebla in August. Information was sought on the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA). The movement exists in Mexico City due to the influence of a priest, a Kiltegan father who was based there some years ago. The former president of the Senatus is a pioneer and has indicated that he will give guidelines to other members who are interested. Legionaries, particularly catechists, were encouraged to recruit children and young people. An attached Curia with twenty- one (21) praesidia has been blessed to be able to establish a new Curia with ten (10) of the praesidia moving to it. The other eleven (11) praesidia will remain in the existing Curia. It is hoped to stimulate more growth and extension.
Guadalajara Senatus
There are nine (9) praesidia, two (2) Curiae and three (3) Regie attached to the Senatus. The nine (9) praesidia work closely in conjunction with their parishes giving particulars attention to the needs of the sick and homebound. Parishioners are invited to all parish functions, rosaries, processions etc. Neighbours are invited by families to take part in the family rosary. The Miraculous Medal is explained and distributed to contacts in the course of Legion work. The recent raising of Guadalajara to Senatus status has been received very well by the Council. The Comitia of Hermosillo, Durango and Monterrey are attached to the new Senatus. All the Councils in the north of Mexico (which is a very large area) are attached to the new Senatus and new correspondents have been appointed. The Regia of Hermosillo is very happy with the transfer to the Senatus of Guadalajara.
Senatus of Merida
During this period three (3) praesidia, three (3) Curiae, eight (8) Comitia and one Regia reported. There are ten (10) praesidia, twenty- seven (27) Curiae and five (5) Comitia attached to the Regia of Guatemala, almost ten thousand (10,000) members in all. Parishioners are prepared for First Holy Communion, confirmation, and baptism. People who are sick are visited in hospital and at home. The prison is visited also. New praesidia have been set up and it is planned to continue extending in parishes that do not currently have any Legion of Mary presence. A praesidium with eleven (11) active members and four (4) probationary members visit the sick and pray the rosary with most of them. Seventeen (17) contacts have consecrated themselves to Jesus through Mary. An attached praesidium which gives particular attention to auxiliaries has one hundred and twenty- two (122) auxiliaries and twenty- two (22) probationers attached. Arising from the home visitation a number of lapsed Catholics have returned to the practice of the Faith, and contact has been made with non- Catholics.
El Salvador Senatus
During this period two (2) Regie, two (2) Comitia, two (2) Curiae and six (6) praesidia reported. One of the two attached Regie with thirteen (13) Comitia, two (2) Curiae and two (2) praesidia has a total of almost nine thousand (9,000) members. All Councils, including the Senatus have Spiritual Directors. Projects of Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) and Exploratio Dominicalis have been very successful with the recruitment of new members resulting in the setting up of new praesidia and the strengthening of others. The apostolate is very varied. Particular attention is given to contacting people who have left the Catholic Church. One such person has returned and joined a praesidium. A number of couples have had their children baptised, and some couples have regularised their marriage. Contacts met on home visitation are offered the Enthronement of their homes to the Sacred Heart. A number of people who are sick and were met on hospital visitation have availed of the sacrament of reconciliation. Twenty-six (26) young people attended a retreat for their age group.
Costa Rica Senatus
Exploratio Dominicalis was carried out by a number of praesidia with great success. After studying the Rosary Confraternity in the handbook, the Senatus invited active and auxiliary members as well as Legion contacts to a talk on the Confraternity.
Panama Senatus
After a few attached Curiae held a Congress, the programme for extension is very active in areas and parishes where there is no presence of the Legion of Mary currently. This is yielding positive results. The priests in the area are also eager to have a praesidium in their parishes. The Regia officers are visiting the distant Councils and in some cases they are making suggestions for reorganisation. Some Councils need direction and help. A Mary Conference will be organised for the month of March. Young people in particular who are not practising will be invited. The 33 Days Preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary on October 7th, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary will be promoted as it is each year.
CUBA
The Comitium is extending slowly due to distances and very poor transport. A recently established Curia with four (4) praesidia reported visiting the sick in hospital and at home. The attached junior praesidium visits a home for people with physical disabilities where they are made welcome. The Miraculous Medal is distributed.
PUERTA RICO
Puerto Rico Senatus
A number of praesidia and Curiae, which ceased to function for different reasons, have been re-established. The attendance at the Senatus meeting has improved. A group entertains people who suffering from sickness with music in their homes and in nursing homes. Legionaries have positive dialogue with families who have joined other religions and also with families who have stopped practising their Catholic faith.
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Santo Domingo Senatus Madre del Salvador
Four (4) Comitia, two (2) Curiae and two (2) praesidia with six hundred and eighty- nine (689) active members of which two hundred and forty- eight (248) are praetorians reported. With the exception of two (2) vacancies, all officerships are filled. Two deacons are legionaries. There are thirty- five (35) extra-ordinary ministers of the Eucharist and fourteen (14) catechists. The average attendance at the Senatus meeting is thirty- two (32). Legionaries provide religious instruction to six hundred and forty- two (642) children and young people. There were two (2) baptisms, seven (7) received First Holy Communion, and twenty- one (21) received confirmation. A home for people suffering from drug addiction was visited. The Senatus is helping one Comitium in particular which had six (6) Curiae attached. That Comitium currently has only three (3) Curiae, with the other three (3) being in different stages of recovery at this point.
Santiago de los Caballeros Senatus
Two (2) Comitia consist of three hundred and forty- eight (348) active members- of whom twenty- five (25) are praetorians- and two hundred and twenty- four (224) auxiliary members. Legionaries visited the prison. They helped with the preparation for and organisation of two thousand, three hundred and fifty (2,350) Rosaries, eighty (80) Stations of the Cross, eleven (11) baptisms, thirty (30) First Communions, eighty- two (82) confirmations and three (3) marriages were reported. A higher attendance at Senatus meetings is encouraged. One praesidium was established.
AFRICA
BENIN
Benin Regia
The attendance at Council meetings (Djougou) has been very low at times. In the Northern part of Benin they encounter a lot of illiteracy among the legionaries. They have a good number of catechumens, both adult and children. One Comitium started three (3) new praesidia.
Under caretakership
GABON
Works include home and prison visitation, recruitment of catechumens and helping out with baptisms, returns to Mass etc. The Comitium organised a reunion.
BURKINA FASO
A new Regia is being set up through the elevation of the Comitium of Our Lady of Yagma in Ouagadougou to a Regia. The correspondent has written to the new Regia on the 25th May 2025 setting out the duties of the Regia and the requirement to report on a monthly basis to Concilium. This was followed by a letter from the president of Concilium officially setting up the Regia.
CAMEROON
Douala Senatus
There are a good number of conversions mentioned in the reports, which also include prison visitation, catechesis, home and hospital visitation as well as street contacts and Exploratio Dominicalis.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Brazzaville Senatus
Senatus covers twenty (20) directly attached praesidia and fifteen (15) distant praesidia, fourteen (14) Curiae with four (4) of these distant, six (6) Comitia of which four (4) are distant and two (2) Regie. Three (3) Comitia, two (2) Curiae and one praesidium reported works of house visitation to Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Muslims, pagans and new religious movements. Sixty (60) lapsed Catholics were brought back to the Faith, couples reconciled, and unmarried couples were exhorted to get married in the Catholic Church. Many people who were sick asked for confession. Holy Communion is brought to the housebound. Many accepted the invitation to attend for catechism classes. Prisoners, widows and widowers were visited, and many said they would come to the church to pray. Auxiliary membership is currently low. Praetorian membership is encouraged by the correspondent also.
TOGO
Lomé Senatus
Exploratio Dominicalis projects, days of evangelisation, new praesidia, both senior and junior and new Curiae were mentioned as well as a Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) project to Ghana in August. The emphasis lies really on extension and consolidation of praesidia and councils. The annual audit has taken place. Their report on their visit to Guinee is eagerly awaited.
Under caretakership: Dakar Regia, Senegal and Guinea, Conakry.
SENEGAL
Dakar Regia
Thirteen (13) new praesidia and two (2) new Curiae have been established and another two (2) new Curiae are in the process of being set up. There works include home, prison hospital visitation as well as catechesis classes. Two conversions were also mentioned.
GUINEA
Guinea Comitium
The Comitium currently has thirteen (13) Curiae and eight (8) attached praesidia. They engage in home and hospital visitation as well as visitation of orphanages and funeral homes.
IVORY COAST
Ivory Coast Senatus
Ivory Coast Senatus will be celebrating the seventy- fifth (75th) Anniversary of the Legion of Mary in September with the theme ‘After seventy- five (75) years, working together to rebuild the Legion of Mary in Ivory Coast’. Some examples of legionary work reported are: reconciliation of families, regularisation of marriages, inviting people to return to Mass, recruitment of catechumens, Baptisms, sacrament of reconciliation, confirmations, sacrament of the sick, teaching of catechism, leading the rosary and community rosaries, leading funeral vigils, organisation of pilgrimages, visiting people in prostitution, people suffering from drug addiction, police stations, and other public places. The following special case was reported at the last meeting about a landlord of two legionaries who was not a Christian and did not believe in life after death. Instead, he frequented marabouts and fetish priests. As a result of the persistent legionaries encouraging him to pray with them, he accepted to recite the rosary with them every evening after work. Years passed and he not only began to visit marabouts and fetish priests less and less, but he also started going to church on Sundays. He then started to work with the Sisters of Charity and eventually agreed to enrol in catechism classes at the request of the Mother Superior. In 2023, he was baptised and last year he was confirmed. He is currently a member of the Divine Mercy group. It is hoped that he will become a legionary soon.
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Proposal for manufacture and purchase of one thousand (1,000) vexilla
Permission was sought by Br. Phelim Lally and granted from the Concilium body for the manufacture and purchase of 1,000 (one thousand) vexilla from the supplier. Forty thousand euro (€40,000) will be sourced from the Vexillum Account and the remaining cost of ten thousand, seven hundred and twenty- eight euro and fifteen cent (€10,728.15) to come from the Legion of Mary main account for the purchase.
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Exploratio Dominicalis
(from p.34- 35 in Some Handbook Reflections)
“Exploratio Dominicalis is the term by which is known what might be called a mini-Peregrinatio and which might be translated as the Sunday search for souls.
Every praesidium in the world is urged, if possible as a body, to devote at least one Sunday in the year to an expedition to some place - possibly a problem area - at a little distance away, but at the same time not so far as to absorb undue time in travelling. The Exploratio need not be limited to one day; two or three days might be found possible. Exploratio Dominicalis enables the majority (in many cases all) of the members of a praesidium to undertake such a venture. It is recognised that even with the best of will, the Peregrinatio Pro Christo itself is not a possibility for the majority of legionaries.
Experience shows that it is necessary to stress, what the Concilium has repeatedly emphasised, that is, that Exploratio Dominicalis is essentially a praesidium project. Councils and praesidia are asked to keep this point in mind when Exploratio Dominicalis is being organised.” (Handbook 40:9)
It is strongly recommended that Exploratio Dominicalis should be one of the items to be considered when a praesidium is planning for the year ahead. If all the members are to take part, something which is very much to be desired, the choice of date, well in advance, will be of great importance. If a date is not agreed on at an early stage, it is likely that the Exploratio may be deferred, perhaps several times, and possibly omitted altogether.
The praesidium, obviously, will require permission from the parish priest and the Legion council, which is responsible for the parish in which it is proposed to carry out the Exploratio. It seems desirable, therefore, that the praesidium should work through its own Curia (or other council to which it is directly-affiliated) when planning the Exploratio. If the Exploratio is being carried out in another council area, then the praesidium’s own council should liaise with the other council. It is important that each council’s area of jurisdiction should be respected. It should not be necessary to add that if the Exploratio is planned for a parish in which a praesidium already exists, then, of course, the permission of that praesidium, also, should be obtained.
While new members may be recruited or even the nucleus for a new praesidium obtained in the course of an Exploratio, extension is not its main purpose. The handbook describes it as “the Sunday search for souls” (see above). It is evident, therefore, that the Exploratio should reach out to people with the aim of “bringing the full riches of the Church to every person.” (Handbook 37:9) As the carrying out of an Exploratio calls for self-sacrifice and a valuable contribution of time and effort on the part of the legionaries it is desirable that it should be directed as far as possible to areas of greatest need. The Exploratio can be a valuable asset to Legion councils in having an intensive apostolate carried out in areas which, otherwise, might be partially or totally untouched.
As a praesidium may succeed in having only one Exploratio during the year, it is desirable that a full day, at least, should be devoted to it and that a substantial portion of that day, after attendance at Mass and the recitation of the Legion prayers and Rosary, should be spent on the actual work of visitation or contact.
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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 Preparation for 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.
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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. Please encourage others to join in also.
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Peregrinatio Pro Christo (PPC) Conference 2025
The Annual Peregrinatio Pro Christo conference will be held on Saturday 25th October 2025 at De Montfort House, Morning Star Avenue, Dublin 7.
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Annual Mass for servant of God Frank Duff
Annual Mass commemorating the death of Servant of God Frank Duff will be celebrated this year on Saturday 8th November at 3 p.m. at St. Mary’s Pro-cathedral, Marlboro Street, Dublin 1.
