Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church, with about 3 million active members in over 160 countries around the world. The Legion of Mary has been active in the United States (USA) since 1931, and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council.
The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members. Members of the Legion of Mary become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a balanced program of prayer, the sacraments and devotion to Mary and the Trinity, and service in a family atmosphere. Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director.
At St. Jude Syro Malabar Catholic Parish, our presidium is named “Mary Mother of God”. We have 10 active members and 7 auxiliary members so far. Our goal is to promote the glory of God and advance the reign of Jesus Christ, through the actions of our membership; developed by prayer, evangelization and active co-operation in Mary’s work and with the Mission of the Catholic Church. We accomplish this by a primary focus on the Spiritual and corporal Works of Mercy.
The active members of Mary Mother of God Presidium participate in Religious Education of the children of all ages, visit and pray with sick at homes, hospitals, local nursing facilities; visit the homeless and pray with them, participate in intercessory prayers, coordinate Pilgrim Virgin home visitation program; welcome new parishioners; collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish and so help to bring every soul in some manner into the protective network of the Church, thus securing the safety alike of the individual and the community. There are certain other parochial works, which includes Altar setup and arrangements, the keeping of the church clean and beautiful, stewarding at Church services, etc. Where necessary, the legionaries could organize and superintend the performance of these duties, which would be a source of blessing to the persons undertaking them.
At St. Jude Parish, the Mother of God Praesidium of the Legion of Mary meets every Friday at 8.30 pm in the Parish Conference Room. Due to the pandemic, there are no official meetings happening now, however, we join every week on Saturdays at 11 am via zoom and pray together.
To learn more about the Legion of Mary, the first step is to be a guest at one of our meetings. A willingness to let Our Lady use you as you are. She needs your hands and feet, your lips and heart, your time and effort, for Legionaries are simply Mary’s means of action in the world today. She will use what you give her to the best advantage, for although others may surpass your offering, they cannot replace it.
Please contact the mission director or one of the council members for more information.
“ My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.”
Luke 1:46