Legion of Mary

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OFFICIAL NAME

Legion of Mary

 

ESTABLISHED

1921

 

HISTORY

The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin, Ireland, by a group of 15 people under the guidance of Frank Duff, a young civil servant with the Department of Finance, as a new form of evangelisation like the Disciples, visiting families in pairs. Prayer in common, apostolic work and the weekly meeting which all the members are required to attend, have been typical features of the Legion from the beginning. Throughout its history, the Legion of Mary has always been supported by the ecclesiastical authorities in the dioceses where it has developed.

On the 25th March 2014, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed recognition of the Legion of Mary as an international association of the faithful.

 

IDENTITY

Planted in Marian spirituality and commitment to the Holy Spirit, the life of the Legion of Mary is based on Faith in the joint action of the Spirit and our Lady in the work of Redemption, and the spread of the Kingdom of God throughout the world. The objectives of the Association are the sanctification of its members through prayer and participating in the mission of evangelisation by direct apostolate, particularly among those who are far from the Church; home visits to the sick, inmates, and needy families; teaching catechism in the parishes; religious instruction for young people; literacy courses for immigrants; supporting drug dependents and street girls; celebrating the liturgy of the Word and organising prayer meetings in places without priests. In addition to the weekly meetings, the members are encouraged to consecrate themselves to Mary following the spirituality of St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, take part in annual spiritual retreats and undertake to recite every day the "Catena Legionis", the prayer of Our Lady which is their bond of union.

 

ORGANISATION

The highly structured organisation of the Legion of Mary is based upon that of the Roman army, whose terminology it has adopted. The highest authority of the Legion of Mary is the Concilium Legionis, in Dublin. The basic unit of the Legion of Mary is the praesidium, a group of people who work in the parishes following the instructions of the bishops and the parish priests. All of the praesidia in a parish or several parishes in the same area constitute a curia. The work of the curiae and the praesidia is coordinated by the Comitium. The Regia and the Senatus cover territories of large dimensions and whole countries, respectively. People may join the Legion of Mary as active members, who attend the weekly meetings and devote two hours a week to apostolic work; as praetorian members who undertake the same obligations as the active members, attend daily Mass and receive Holy Communion, and recite the Legion prayers and an office approved by the Church daily; as auxiliary members, who support the active members in the apostolic work with their prayers; as adjutorian members - who are auxiliaries who undertake the same commitments as praetorians.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Maria Legionis, published quarterly in English.

 

WEB SITE

http://www.legionofmary.ie

 

HEADQUARTERS

Concilium Legionis Mariae

De Monfort House, Morning Star Avenue,

Brunswick Street - Dublin 7 - Ireland

D07 VA03

 

Tel. [+353] 1 872 3153

 

Email: concilium@legion-of-mary.ie