Bulletin September 2005

Milan Regia: His Eminence Cardinal Tettamanze thanked the Legion for their presence at a Diocesan meeting and said that he is close to them in prayer. Two praesidia reported that their Patrician groups are still continuing after 9 and 10 years respectively. Genoa Comitium established a new praesidium and have had requests from 2 parish priests for information on the Legion. Two other priests invited legionaries to bring new life into religious ceremonies in their Churches, especially to recitation of the rosary. A new Praesidium is composed of Nigerians.

Malta Regia: The Regia has one Comitium, 10 Curiae and 3 directly attached praesidia. All Curiae attached to Gozo Comitium held commemorative functions during May for Venerable Edel Quinn. The youth committee organized an Easter celebration called "The Lord's Supper" which had an attendance of 52 young people. 6 praesidia carried out Exploratio projects. A Curia in Malta island contacted 8 lapsed who are now attending Mass and the Sacraments. Another Curia organized a week of home visitation with 86 legionaries taking part on different days.

A successful youth project from Malta to Mumarras took place in August. The approach was to youth and children. Shkoder Curia has 25 praesidia. There is little direct contact with the Curiae at Sape and Lezhe. Elbesan praesidium with 11 members carry out a varied apostolate. A copy of the annual report from Tirana was received.

During the past few months the Senatus organized evangelisation projects in 2 parishes, mainly street contact, with excellent results. 42 and 82 members participated. They organized a PPC project to a distant parish with legionaries from Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea and Spain.

Madrid Senatus: Many praesidia do street contact as well as home visitation. Special efforts are made to speak with young adults in street cafes, they are usually well received. Two legionaries from one Curia entered religious life. "Fishing for Youth" is a project to contact young people on the streets, one of the aims being to recruit legionaries. Good suggestions are made on reports at Senatus meetings, such as the formation of Patricians in prisons and among the many immigrants now in Spain.

30 young Irish legionaries accompanied by 2 priests attended the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne in August last. At the start of their visit, they spent a few days in the company of Austrian legionaries with whom they shared prayer, music, dance and some contact work on the streets. In Germany they attended Catechetical sessions conducted by Cardinals Francis Arinze and George Pell. They were delighted to meet so many young people from other countries in the Marienfeld in Cologne and were particularly touched and impressed with the Holy Father's encouragement to them to bring the joy of the Faith to others.

3 praesidia reported up to July. Active membership 7, 9 and 6 with 60, 31 and 10 auxiliary members respectively. Works include visitation of cancer wards, reaching out to the unbaptised, preparation for Confirmation, conducting AA meetings, counselling parishioners with problems.

Galle Curia (badly affected out by the tsunami) which is attached to the Senatus is slowly re-establishing itself but many of its people are scattered elsewhere. Kandu Curia heard reports from 1 English, 6 Sinhala and 4 Tamil speaking praesidia with a total of 115 members. Contact is made with people of all 4 major religions. Work is done in the remotest areas involving many miles of walking.

A new Spiritual Director has been appointed. The Urdu praesidia are flourishing. Eucharistic Adoration is successfully organized. Mentally handicapped children are helped. Bible classes and preparation for Holy Communion of children are well attended.

Kerala Senatus: It governs 16 Comitia, 22 Curiae and 31 directly affiliated praesidia. The correspondent has encouraged the establishment of higher councils. Homes, hospitals, nursing homes and prisons are visited. One Comitium now has 15 junior praesidia. Over a 6 month period they have motivated 800 to join catechism classes and were instrumental in getting 84 people who had joined other religions to return to their Catholic faith. 17 heavy drinkers were helped to turn aside from the abuse of alcohol. Rosary and consecration of homes to the Sacred Heart feature widely in reports.

Calcutta Comitium: Hindu and Moslem homes are among those visited. Instruction of children, care of the sick and elderly, as well as visitation of the bereaved, featured in reports. Exploratio Dominicalis projects are carried out. Delight is expressed at receipt of the Bengali Handbook.

Mumbai Regia: 150 attended a Youth Day while 125 attended a Congress where Legion loyalty, the Holy Spirit and Our Lady's guiding forces were the main themes. Lapsed Catholics and those in mixed marriages are visited, many non Catholics (996 in one case) are met in the course of hospital visitation. 33 officers of Tamil speaking Curiae came together to discuss various aspects of Legion government.

Pondicherry Senatus: A reporting praesidium has 18 members and 54 auxiliaries. Among the works reported on by praesidia, Curiae and Comitia were the visitation of orphanages, reconciliation of families, conducting of catechism classes, enthronement of homes to the Sacred Heart, Bible study and the visitation of lepers. A pair of legionaries found a deserted baby while on visitation and one of the legionaries later adopted the baby. Kottar affected by the tsunami helped people e.g by setting up blood banks. The new translation of the Tamil handbook is now available.

Sr. Catherine Donohue, Concilium correspondent and Br. Seamus Rickard, former Legion of Mary extension worker visited the Legion Councils in Indonesia on behalf of the Concilium from 4 - 22 August 2005. They attended many meetings at various levels of the Senatus of Jakarta and the Senatus of Malang. They were also present at the launching of a new Regia following a Mass concelebrated by the Archbishop of Inde and over 30 priests in Maumere Cathedral. They spoke from the pulpit at the end of the Mass. They expressed the good wishes of the Concilium and sympathy on the terrible loss of life in the tsunami in December 2004. In the capital Jakarta they met the Cardinal, elsewhere they met the Archbishop of Flores and 3 other Bishops. In Surabaya they were introduced to the Nuncio who was there to bless a new church and who said he attributed his vocation to his membership of the Legion. The two visitors were very impressed with every aspect of the Legion which they saw in Indonesia, particularly with its young membership and they expressed their appreciation for the outstanding hospitality and kindness shown to them while there. Br. Tommy McCabe, president of the Concilium thanked the visitors for agreeing to undertake the visit.

Mexico City Senatus: All councils thank Concilium for sending Br. Bernardo de Nardo the Extension Worker to visit them. His visits were very much appreciated. 1 Curia of 4 adult and 4 junior praesidia was set up in recent months. Teaching catechism is the work of many legionaries resulting in thousands of children and adults receiving the sacraments particularly Baptisms, First Holy Communions and Marriage. A family who were being visited regularly by Jehovah's Witnesses returned to Mass after the legionaries visited with the Statue of Our Lady. An attached Comitium runs 4 Patrician groups. All reports indicate many returns to the practice of the faith and the Sacraments. Legionaries visit prisoners, pray with them and give them Miraculous Medals.

Guadalajara Senatus: Reports were recently received from 3 Curiae and 1 Comitium. Brother Bernardo de Nardo encouraged the legionaries to make more personal contact with the people on home visitation rather than saying the Rosary with them. He also encouraged street contact and an apostolate to the street girls. An attached Comitium prepared 2000 children and adults for First Holy Communion and 890 for Confirmation. Br. Bernardo made some suggestions for the re-organisation of the Senatus area.

Merida Regia: The reports of 5 Comitia, 5 Curiae and 7 praesidia were received. Home visitation is done by all praesidia resulting in large numbers returning to the practice of the faith, and in other cases many are prepared for the sacraments particularly Baptism. The home visitation is also counteracting the work of the different sects, large numbers who changed over to the sects have returned with a little convincing and encouragement. Street contact work is also done in many Councils with great success. The existing councils are extending rapidly.

Hermosillo Regia: In recent months 4 praesidia, 4 Curiae and 1 Comitium reported. A junior praesidium set up in a secondary school does an apostolate to the students. They have a book barrow in the school which is very popular. An attached Curia reported setting up 4 new praesidia. They say that the recommendations and suggestions of Br. Bernardo will serve as a plan for the Regia and they will keep them on the agenda until they have put them into practice.

Monterrey Regia: This Council said they benefited considerably from Br. Bernardo's visit. They plan to extend to Linares diocese where there is no Legion. He also advised how to deal with material need, as some praesidia had been giving some material relief. A visit has been made to the circus personnel with a view to organizing a Mass. They were very well received. They have also approached drug addicts and will visit them on a regular basis. A praesidium of young married couples is now doing home to home visitation.

Managua Regia: Six praesidia and one curia reported during this period. Prison visitation is done monthly but there are no details of the apostolate. Arising from the home visitation some have had their families consecrated to the Sacred Heart. They also promote the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. Legionaries contacted and spiritually helped the friends of a young girl who had no faith and who had committed suicide.

Guatemala City Comitium: Following the visit of Br. Bernardo, the legionaries in the Curia of Antigua are now doing an apostolate to the circus personnel. The Curia has initiated contact with the homeless and alcoholics in the bus terminal area. Two members of a praesidium have entered religious life. The women's prison is visited weekly and they are well received by both catholics and non catholics.

Camotan Comitium: During this period 3 senior and 4 junior Curiae and 6 senior praesidia reported. 10 junior praesidia and 6 senior praesidia were set up recently. One Curia was divided. Junior praesidia teach catechism in the schools. Most praesidia did an Exploratio Dominicalis project. Bernardo reported that the junior movement is flourishing in Camotan due mainly to the encouragement and commitment of the Spiritual Directors.

Jalapa Comitium: Following Br. Bernardo's visit 6 praesidia form part of the Comitium body. For a number of years this body had no praesidia attached. A new Curia has been set up in Buena Vista. Attendance at the different Acies ceremonies was excellent.

Senatus of San Salvador: The attached Regia of Santa Ana set up two new Curiae and two junior praesidia. Jail visitation is done weekly resulting in 140 prisoners attending a retreat. A family being visited for 9 months by the Jehovah's Witnesses has now returned to the practice of the faith. Eucharistic Adoration is promoted and attended by the legionaries at the priests' request. Reports indicate that the Legion Causes for Beatification are being promoted actively. Most reports mention that an audit has been done.

Senatus of San Jose: Apparently legionaries work in very difficult conditions as they are in danger of being attacked in certain areas. The Spiritual Director of the Senatus commended the legionaries for their courage and commitment to the apostolate in those areas. Hospital, prison and considerable home visitation is being done.

Bernardo de Nardo Extension Worker

Br. Bernardo had been working mainly on extension projects in the Guatemala Comitium area. Two praesidia were set up in the seminary of Solola. A legionary will act as a link between these two praesidia because they may not be able to attend the monthly Curia meetings. They are giving great attention to the study of the handbook. The president of the Comitium has been working with Br. Bernardo. She will now go with other legionaries to the diocese of Suchitepeque - Retachuleu to give a talk to the Bishop and priests with a view to extending into that diocese. Most of the legionaries are young and there are many excellent Spiritual Directors.
Bernardo has moved to Santiago, Chile where he held a meeting with the officers of the Senatus.

Cotonou Regia: This Council is now very active and making good progress. Work reports deal with home and hospital visitation and crowd apostolate. All praesidia report reception into the Church of many catechumens who have been taught catechism in preparation for the sacraments. Two people who belonged to a voodoo cult are now getting religious instruction. The Junior Curia has 5 praesidia. A new Curia and 2 new praesidia have been set up in the Regia area and a new Comitium is being organised in Njoudou Diocese.

Gabon: Cotonou Regia has assumed its duties as caretaker of the Legion in Gabon. In addition to the two Comitia at Oyem and Libreville another has been discovered at Mouila. A report from Oyem Comitium showed that its works were recruiting of new members and visitation of the sick. The Acies ceremony attended by 358 legionaries was followed by Mass celebrated by the Bishop.

Bata Comitium: Legionaries continue to do home visitation to encourage people in the practice of the faith. Five couples were married recently. Parents of 137 children preparing for First Holy Communion were encouraged in practice of the faith. Many reports indicate that The Year of the Eucharist was well promoted with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in many parishes.

Brazzaville Regia: Works reported at praesidium level include home and hospital visits. Conversions, returns to Mass and Sacraments, reconciliations of families are recorded. Members teach catechism, ensure that the sick receive the sacraments, invite contacts to visit the Blessed Sacrament, organise family prayer, recruit active and auxiliary members and promote devotion to Our Lady.

Lom� Regia: Work reports from all areas referred mainly to home and hospital visitation, crowd contact, recruiting of members, teaching catechism, preparing adults and children for Baptism and other sacraments. The Junior Curia has 16 praesidia whose members engage in crowd contact, distribute Miraculous Medals, wooden crosses and some Catholic literature. They also help with church activities. Some Curiae organise and promote religious discussion on local radio. Most Councils organize regular functions to promote the Causes of the Legion's 3 candidates for beatification. The Regia organized a 3 hour conference on True Devotion to Mary in April, and another in May in honour of Edel Quinn during a novena to promote her Cause. A campaign is afoot to promote the Patrician organisation all over the area.

Lom� Regia has been able to revive and improve the work of the Legion here. There are 3 Curiae - Dakar with fourteen praesidia, Joal with twenty and Pikine with fourteen. Praesidia in all three do home and hospital visitation. Many people have been prepared for Baptism and other sacraments, lapsed Catholics have returned to practice and individuals and families have been reconciled.

Sr. Janet Lowthe, Treasurer of the Concilium and Br. Barry Warren Concilium correspondent spent two and a half weeks visiting the Regiae of Enugu and Ikot Epene in Eastern Nigeria during the Summer of 2005. They held meetings with the Regiae officers and other legionaries in Enugu and travelled to meet the officers of 7 attached Comitia. Membership is enormous (c 170,000 active members) and a very varied apostolate is carried out. Awka Comitium has 2 Curiae with 45 praesidia in a University and Nsukka Comitium has 18 praesidia in the University campus. In Ikot Epene they met the Bishop, the Regia officers and a large group of legionaries. There are c.8,000 active members in this Council area.

Br. Enda Dunleavy, Secretary of the Concilium and Sr. Clare Ennis, Concilium correspondent visited the Regiae of Lagos, Ibadan and Benin and they had fruitful meetings in these 3 areas. They also travelled long distances to other places where Councils are attached to the Regiae. Both pairs of visitors were deeply impressed with the warmth of the reception they received in all places and with the enthusiasm of the legionaries and their willingness to take on board any suggestions made to them.

Br. Tommy McCabe, President, thanked the 4 visitors for carrying out these important visits to Nigeria on behalf of the Concilium.

The Concilium (The International Centre of the Legion of Mary)
would welcome receiving articles (500 words)
with photographs or a video of Legion events.

These may be of use in promoting the Legion
through the Maria Legionis and in future video productions.