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Legion of Mary
Our Lady Spouse of the Holy Spirit Regia
Serving the State of Michigan
Q: What works does the Legion of Mary undertake?
A: Regular works for the Legion of Mary include door to door evangelization, nursing home visitation, prison ministry, teaching RCIA and other religious education classes, visiting new parishioners and parish families with newly baptized babies, crowd contact and distributing Catholic literature, bringing the Pilgrim Virgin statue of the Blessed Mother to houses to consecrate them, and Enthronements of homes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Legion also periodically organizes events for Legion work, such a Peregrination Pro Christo, which is typically a one or two week Mission trip by legionaries from several parishes to another state or even to another country. Another type of event is a Parish Evangelization Project, which is a one or two event by legionaries from several parishes to evangelize a nearby parish. The Legion also staffs a booth at county fairs to answer questions from people who may want to know more about the Catholic faith. All Legion works are approved by parish pastor or spiritual director and in all of its works, the Legion works in obedience to the bishops and the parish priests. Works are typically done in pairs so that legionaries can learn from each other and encourage each other in service to Our Lord.
Q: What is the purpose of the Legion of Mary?
A: The primary purpose of the Legion of Mary is to lead people to Jesus Christ so they can benefit from the love and mercy of God. Specifically, the Legion of Mary seeks to lead the people we encounter in our works to a greater knowledge and faith in God and to increase the faith and holiness of our own members through prayer and service to Our Lord.
Q: I would like to join the Legion of Mary. How can I find out if there is a praesidium (Legion group) near me?
A: If you live in Michigan, a listing of praesidia can be found on the home page
Q: Who is eligible to join the Legion of Mary?
A: The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics in good standing with a desire to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ through the intercession of his Blessed Mother Mary. Catholics 18 years of age or older can join adult praesidia whereas Catholics younger than 18 years of age can join junior Legion of Mary praesidia. Catholics who are interested in joining the Legion will start with a three or six month probationary period before taking their Legionary Promise to become Legion members.
Q: What different types of Legion membership exist?
A: The two primary classes of Legion membership are active members and auxiliary members. Active members attend a Legion meeting once a week and perform works of service (typically about 2 hours a week). Auxiliary members instead pray the rosary and the prayers of the Legion of Mary (the Tessera) for the intentions of the Blessed Mother and bolster the efforts of the active members through their prayers. Higher grades of membership include praetorians, who are active members who also pray the Tessera daily, attend Mass daily, and daily recite an Office approved by the Church, and adjutorians, who are auxiliary members who attend Mass daily and daily recite an Office approved by the Church in addition to praying the rosary and the prayers of the Tessera daily.
Q: Does the Legion also have a youth membership?
A: Yes. The Legion trains groups of young Legionaries, generally from eight to twelve years of age for Juniors, and from thirteen to eighteen years of age for Intermediates. These young Legionaries are the hope and joy of the Legion. They follow the Legion system, and in their way, do marvelous apostolic works.
Q: What type of person makes the best member?
A: Membership in the Legion does not require specific skills or advanced spirituality. The Legion can take an ordinary Catholic with the willingness to give the required time and to follow the Legion system, and develop him or her through the spirituality of the meetings and the experiences of the apostolate itself, into an excellent lay apostle. This development is definitely the work of the Holy Spirit Who gives to those who give themselves to Him, through His Immaculate Bride.
Q: How could I go about starting a Legion group in my parish?
A: Convinced that the Legion will be an asset to your parish, you should first contact the Regia president of the Legion of Mary through this website, or officers of the governing council. They will discuss with you the more practical and effective ways of recruiting members for your parish group. They will also send to you well-trained Legionaries who will teach your group the Legion system, and stay with them until they are ready to function on their own. From that point on, the local governing council will continue to keep close contact with your group via the monthly council meetings.
Q: What do Legionaries do?
A: ACTIVE members meet weekly (about 1 1/2 hrs.) with their Spiritual Director usually in a parish to pray, to report on and to receive a work assignment. A minimum of two hours work is assigned by the President and approved by the Spiritual Director or pastor. Legionaries are required to preserve absolute secrecy in regard to sensitive matters discussed or learned at the meeting or in their work. Active members recite daily the Catena (the Magnificat, prayers of the Legion). The work of a praesidium varies from place to place but members always go out in pairs to meet people. Newer members are instructed by the master-apprentice method. Ideally, the praesidium will hold evangelization/conversion contacts as its highest priority with conservation of the Faith and consoling works following. A partial list of works includes:
1.Instructing and preparing others to receive the Sacraments
Instructing and preparing others to receive the Sacraments 2.Teaching the Catholic faith to children or adults
Teaching the Catholic faith to children or adults 3.Assisting the pastor with conducting a census of his area
Assisting the pastor with conducting a census of his area 4.Visiting jail inmates, the hospitalized, the homebound sick or elderly,
Visiting jail inmates, the hospitalized, the homebound sick or elderly, or residents of nursing homes 5.Distributing rosaries, medals, Catholic literature in a crowd contact area
Distributing rosaries, medals, Catholic literature in a crowd contact area AUXILIARY members, the praying wing of the Legion of Mary, are lay faithful, priests, or religious unable or unwilling to assume the duties of active membership. They recite daily the prayers of the Tessera, namely: the Invocation and prayers of the Holy Spirit, 5 decades of the Rosary, the Catena, and the prayers described as 'concluding prayers'. Auxiliary members are contacted at least once a year by active members of their attached praesidium. An invitation is extended to Acies, the annual ceremony of reconsecration to Mary, Queen of the Legion, held around March 25th, the Annunciation.
Frequently Asked Questions
