The Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary was founded in Ireland in 1921 by Frank Duff (who is under consideration for beatification). The organization, which adheres to the ideal of “To Jesus through Mary,” is now an international organization based on the organizational pattern of the Roman empire where the smallest unit is a praesidium. The objective of the Legion of Mary is “the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary’s and the Church’s work of crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the reign of Christ.” The work of each praesidium is coordinated through the pastor of the parish. There may be more than one praesidium in a parish. In Our Lady of Sorrows there is a junior praesidium in OLS School and a senior English praesidium.  Additional praesidiums can be formed in the parish based on various circumstances (such as a Spanish praesidium or a praesidium of people unable to meet on the day of an existing praesidium).

​The obligations of membership include:

• Punctual and regular attendance at the weekly meeting.

• Performance of a substantial active legionary work (two hours per week); work may consist of “new” activities for the individual such as visiting a nursing home, or of current activities such as teaching CCD.

• Reporting the work at the weekly meeting.

• Daily recitation of the Catena (the Rosary plus a few additional short prayers).  

For more information contact: legionofmary@oladyofsorrows.org

Meetings are held every Saturday at 9:30am in the CCD office.
Works of the praesidium also include the monthly First Saturday devotions and the annual Crowning of Mary in May.