Legion of Mary glorifies God through pursuit of holiness

The Legion of Mary is an international association of the faithful of the Catholic Church who serve the Church on a voluntary basis. It was founded in Dublin, Ireland by a man named Frank Duff as a Catholic Marian Movement.

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 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. 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 prayers in its name.

Reasons to Join the Legion of Mary

1. School for saints
If we want to “get good” at holiness, we must practice it every week just as is done with a sport or hobby. The Legion gives us the opportunity; it provides an ideal expression of the Catholic vocation. 

2. Fulfill canon law
The Legion offers a proven method and motivation for sanctity, thus fulfilling Canon 210 which states: “All Christian faithful must make an effort, in accord with their own condition, to live a holy life and to promote the growth of the Church and its sanctification.

3. Keeps its members young
This is not found in Canon Law, but it can be shown. For example, Father Aedan McGrath, official Legion visitor to the Far East, is 92 years old, still active and looks to be 75. Frank Duff, founder of the Legion, was still riding his bicycle at age 91. The Legion kept him young in spirit and in body.

4. Teaches the Catholic faith
During the weekly Legion meeting, spiritual formation is found in the rosary, in the Legion prayers, in the spiritual reading and discussion, and in the talk by the spiritual director.

5. Community
The Legion’s main purpose is the holiness of the members. It improves our “vertical” relationship we have with God and the Blessed Mother, but it also enriches the “horizontal” relationship of friends we gain as we live the Legion way of life. 

6. Means of tithing
The Legion requires that about four hours each week be set aside, which is only two percent of our time (a form of tithing). Therefore, when we give time to our Lord and His Mother, they bless us in many ways, and we find even more time and more blessings in life.

7. Help you face judgement day
The spiritual works of mercy—the Legion of Mary’s primary program of works, such as encouraging people to come back to the sacraments, making the Catholic Church known to others—are crucial because the soul, unlike the body, is eternal and will last forever in either heaven or hell.

8. Save souls
If the Legionary is God’s instrument to bring back a fallen away Catholic or brings a convert into the Catholic religion, the Bible says that they will cover a multitude of sins and save their own soul from death as well. The Legion with its program of works, which includes the friendly encouraging of the lapsed to live again, their Catholic Faith ensures its members of this future blessing.

9. Masses will be said for your soul
At present, throughout the world, there are approximately 600,000 Legion groups and by rule, each group has a Mass said for all deceased Legionaries in the month of November. As a Legion of Mary member, you can be sure of having 600,000 Masses celebrated for you after your death (credit to legionofmarytidewater.com).

If you are moved by the Holy Spirit to either join a Legion of Mary Praesidium that has been established by your current parish or if you want to establish a new Praesidium, please contact Pat Paumen at (701) 235-0308, President of the Our Lady of Victory Praesidium, St. Anthony’s Church in Fargo, or Mary Stoa (701) 219-9939. Today Our Lady of Victory is the only Praesidium in the Fargo area. We are seeking new members throughout the Fargo Diocese active or auxiliary (praying) to join with us in bringing Our Blessed Mother, Mary, to the world as a means of winning souls to her son, Jesus.