History
Founded by Frank Duff in
Dublin Archdiocese on September 7, 1921 wit a
group of Catholic laywomen and Fr. Michael Toher. Mr. Duff's
profound insights into the role of the lay faithful in the mission of
the Church form the basis of the Legion's works.
The Spirit of the Legion is that of Mary herself. Especially,
they aspire to her profound humility, her perfect obedience, her
angelic sweetness, her continual prayer, her universal mortification,
her spotless purity, her heavenly wisdom, her self-sacrificing,
courageous
love of God, and above all, her faith.
Mission
The primary mission of the
Legion is the glory of God through the
holiness of its members, giving the character of Apostleship to inflame
and diffuse a developing force for the apostolic spirit.
Membership
The Legion of Mary is open to
all Catholics who:
- Practice their Faith
- Are filled by the desire to
fulfill their role in the Church's
Apostolate
- Are prepared to fulfill each
duty active membership involves
- Are men and women 18 years
of age or older -- Senior Praesidia
- Under 18 -- Junior Praesidia
- 3 month period before entry
- Formal admission with Legion
Promise
Duties
of Active Membership
- Attendance of the weekly meeting
- Daily recitation of the
Catena and Rosary
- Weekly performance of an
assigned apostolic work
- Obligation of
confidentiality (meeting and work are not discussed
with others)
Auxiliary
Membership
Auxiliaries are the Legion's praying army. They associate
themselves by undertaking a service of prayer in its name.
There
is no age limit. Its service consists in the recitation of
the
Tessera prayers and 5
decades of the Rosary. Persons already saying a rosary for
any
intention may become auxiliaries without obligation to say an
additional rosary. Open to priests, religious, and laity.
"Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces, I place at you disposal such
portions of my prayers, works and sufferings as is permitted to me."
-Legion Handbook
All
text compiled and
excerpted from the Legion Handbook
The call to
holiness is a
practical attainment
"All holiness consists in love of God and all love of God consists in
doing His will." --St. Alphonsus Ligouri
"All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness
of Christian life and to the perfection of love... all the faithful are
invited and obliged to holiness and the perfection of their own state
of life." -Lumen Gentium, 40,42
"To be able to discover the actual will of the Lord in our live always
involves...:
- A receptive listening to the
Word of God and the Church
- Fervent and constant prayer
- Recourse to a wise and
loving Spiritual guide
- And a faithful discernment
of the gifts and talents given by God."
-Christifidelis Laici, 58 JP II, 1988
Apostolic
works
Some of the ways the legion helps in the growth of true community
spirit:
- Visitation
- Conducting religious
instruction
- Visitation of the sick,
handicapped,elderly, including arranging
a visit of a priest
- Collaboration in every
apostolic & missionary undertaking
sponsored by the parish to help bring every soul in to the protective
network of the Church
- Promotion of Catholic
associations and societies
- Promotion of practice of
daily Mass and devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament
- Evangelization
- Filial love towards Pastors
of the Church, Spiritual Fathers and
Shepherds
Following
her, you stray not;
Invoking her, you despair not;
Thinking of her, you wander not;
Shielded by her, you fear not;
Guided by her, you grow not weary;
Favored by her, you reach the goal.
-St. Bernard
