“Establishing a contact of some sort with every soul” is a first principle of several million members worldwide, who belong to a group founded in Ireland and known to us all as The Legion of Mary.
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work.
The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. The aim of the Legion is personal sanctification through prayer, formation and evangelisation.
The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. With the approval and support of the Popes, Bishops and Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere.
Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
In our Pastoral Area there are 4 different groups of the Legion, that do the following apostolic works:
– Home visitation
– Hospital visitation
– Nursing home visitation
– Direction of prayer groups
– Visitation of the sick and lonely
If you wish to participate you can join us
Holy Rosary Mondays at 10.45, Contact Anette: 087-7683710
Holy Rosary Tuesdays at 19.30, Contact Ann: 086-4050035
Newcastle Oratory Mondays at 20.00, Contact 086-2044930
Newtownmountkennedy, Thursdays 19.30 (starting on 18th of September), contact Ruth 087-6295290
