The Legion of Mary is a universal association of Catholics established with the sanction of the Holy Catholic Church. Its object is to advance the reign of Christ and glorify God through prayers and service of love.
The Legion does not require from its members wealth or influence, but faith unwavering; not famous deeds but only unrelaxed effort; not genius but unquenchable love; not giant strength but steady discipline.
ORIGIN
The first enrolment of legionaries of Mary took place at Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, at 8 p.m. on 7 September, 1921, the eve of the feast of Our Lady’s Nativity. A little group came together, unaware that they were to be the instruments of most loving Providence. The table around which they met bore a simple altar, of which the centre was a statue of the Immaculate Conception. They went on their knees and bent down their heads. The invocation and prayer of the Holy Spirit were said; and then through the fingers which had, during the day, been toilsomely employed, slipped the beads of the simplest of all devotions. When the final invocations died away, they sat up, and under the auspices of Mary, set themselves to the consideration of how they could best please God and make Him loved in His world. From that discussion came forth the Legion of Mary, as it is today, in all its features.
The Legion of Mary had the most humble of beginnings. It was not a thought-out organization and it sprang up spontaneously.
OBJECT
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, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary’s and the Church’s work in crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the reign of Christ.
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.
LEGIONARY SERVICE
The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families and the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals, youth formation, catechism class, and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalized is a vital part of the legionary apostolate to glorify God. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary, in such fashion that in those worked for and in one’s fellow-members, the Person of our Lord is once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
STRUCTURE OF THE LEGION OF MARY
| Concilium | It is set up in Dublin, Ireland. It is a Curia and it governs the Legion of Mary in the world. It is also the highest council in the Legion of Mary. |
| Senatus | It governs the Legion of Mary in a country and must be affiliated directly to the Concilium. It can govern several Regia in a country. |
| Regia | It is a Curia and it governs the Legion of Mary in a larger region, ranking next in status to a Senatus. The Concilium will decide whether a Regia shall be affiliated directly to the Concilium or to a Senatus. |
| Comitium | It is a Curia in its own area and it may govern a few Curiae. There can be more than one Comitium in a diocese. |
| Senior Curia | It governs a few senior Praesidia and their affiliated junior Praesidia. There can be more than one senior Curia in a diocese. |
| Senior Praesidium | It is the basic unit of the Legion of Mary. It is affiliated directly to a Curia. Members must be Catholics 18 years old or above. It governs its affiliated junior Praesidium. |
| Junior Curia | It governs a few junior Praesidia and must be affiliated to a senior Curia. There can be more than one junior Curia in a diocese. |
| Junior Praesidium | It comprises of junior members below 18 years old. It nurtures the junior members for progressing to the senior Praesidium. |
DIAGRAM OF THE WORLD STRUCTURE
CONDITIONS TO BE A LEGIONARY
The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who:
- Faithfully practise their religion;
- Are animated by the desire to fulfil their role in the Church’s apostolate through membership of the Legion; and
- Are prepared to fulfil each and every duty which active membership of the Legion involves, such as: daily prayers, attending weekly meetings, fulfilling assignments as designated, attending annual events of the Legion, and, aspiring the spirit of Mary to honour the object of the Legion of Mary.
MEMBERSHIP
| Types of membership | Duties |
|---|---|
| Active Member | Attend weekly meetings, pray regularly and undertake assignments on Legionary work, in the spirit of faith, and in union with Mary:
|
| Praetorians | In addition to the ordinary obligations of Active Member, they undertake to:
|
| Auxiliary Member | This membership is open to priests, religious and the laity. Those who are unable or unwilling to assume the duties of active membership, but who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name.
|
| Adjutorians | It comprises those Auxiliary Member who:
|