Legion of Mary - is "the largest community of the time of the great Christian congregations established for the good of souls"
(According to Pope Paul VI)
This movement consists of active catholics and operates a full and unconditional submission to the Pope, bishops, parish priests. It should be highlighted that this movement originated nearly half a century before the appearance of "Decree on the apostolate of the laity. Apostolicam Actuositatem» II Vatican Council.
Since Pius XI Legion has a special blessing and protection of the Roman Pontiff. This is why the Pope often quoted phrase belongs "" Legion of Mary "! - What a lucky name! "The very same organization operating under the universal Church and is a manifestation of apostolic zeal of catholics.
The fields of activities of the Legion are:
• to save unborn children;
• to visit hospitals for spiritual support for patients;
• activities to prevent prostitution;
• meetings with young people on the theme of spiritual life;
• the evangelization of people in towns and villages;
• catechesis - in classes so through home visits;
• assist in the rehabilitation of former alcoholics and drug addicts;
• distribution at their own expense Christian attributes (icons, medallions, literature, etc.).
All these activities are carried out Legionnaires not for their own benefit, but for the sake of brotherly love. Method of action is not to impose their views, but to establish friendly atmosphere, where everyone shares their opinions, arguments and results freely draws conclusions.
The first community of the Legion of Mary appeared in Ukraine in 1993 at the church of Saint Sophia in Zhitomir. Now there are Presidium in Kiev, Zhitomir, Kharkiv, Lviv and other cities.
In these cities, the Mother of God already has his legionaries (statistics for 2013):
Curia in Kyiv 3 Presidium (1 parish in Sviatoshyn, 1 in the Cathedral, 1 in the parish of Christ the King)
Comitium in Zhitomir: 4 Presidium in Zhytomyr and Stara Kostelna
Curia in Berdichev: Parish saint Varvara 5 Presidium
Curia in Berdichev: Carmel 3 Presidium
Curia in Novograd Volynsk 3 Presidium
Curia in Rivne: 4 Presidium in Rivne, Kostopil, Korets, Zdolbunov
Curia in Kamenetz-Podolsk 12 Presidium
5 Presidium in Kamenetz-Podolsk;
1 Sahkamen, 1 Zhovtneve, 1 Smotrich, 1 Orynini, 1 Zalistsya, 1 Chernivtsi
Lviv: 1 Presidium.
Curia Dunaivtsi 3 Presidium of Slobidka-Rahnivetska, Dunaivtsi, Mushkutentsi,
Curia Chernivtsi: 8 Presidium:
3 Presidium in Chernivtsi
1 Sokil, 1 Yampile, 1 Yaryshivtsi, 1 Dzyhivtsi, 1 Tomashpil
Curia in Nikolaev: 7 Presidium
2 Presidium in Nikolaev
1 Odessa, 1 Kherson, 1 Tsjurupinsk, 1 Yalta, 1 Tavriysk
Curia in Donetsk: 5 Presidium (2 in Donetsk, Horlivka 1 and Chervovoarmijsk), Mariupol
Presidium without Curia in Ukraine (led by the Curia in Bregenz, Austria):
4 in Luansk (1), Kiev (2) Kharkov (1)
in the UGCC: Velyki Mosti and Novy Vytkiv (2)
Total: 62 Presidium, they are 403 foreign players, 77 members of the probationary period, 1063 auxiliary members and 20 auxiliary probationary period. In addition, there are still Presidium for students in Kharkov, Lugansk, Donetsk, Odessa and Simferopol.
About the work does not have full information, but pass on what we know and appreciate all of you. Not only in heaven, but in the Church on earth rejoice these statistics:
• Teaching prayers: 1692 people
• Maintaining children`s groups: 4 groups
• Patritius groups: 3
• Catechesis: 152 persons
• Prayer groups: 30 groups
• Conversion: 1 osoba
• Wedding of 35 couples
• Relate to the sacraments after a long break: 314
• Organization assistants in parishes: 575 persons
• Pilgrimage of Our Lady in families: 405simey
• Visiting patients: 5588 people
• Propagation of Catholic literature: 14 352 copies
• Distribution Miraculous Medallion: 3792
• Visit with Christmas Carols: 736 visits
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. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbor on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organization 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. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honored place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. 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 basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realizing the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
Contact:
Elizabeth Criss