Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is an Association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Grace (who is fair as the moon, bright as the sun, and ---to satin and his legionaries ---terrible as an army set in battle array), have formed themselves into a Legion for service in the warfare which is perpetually waged by the Church against the world and its evil powers.

Our Lady of Loretto Praesidium consists of 12 active members and 162 auxilliary members. Weekly meetings are held every Wednesday following the 7:30 AM Mass. Work assignments are given to each legionary, and a report received from each legionary of work done. It was organized in March, 1974.

The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a Praesidium. This Latin word was used to designate a detachment of the Roman Legion performing special duty. When two or more Praesidia have been established in any city, town, or district, a governing body termed the Curia is set up.

Our Lady of Loretto Praesidium belongs to the Prince Gallitzin Curia which meets monthly at St. Ann's in Ebensburg. There are 11 Praesidia in this Curia.

Members are guided by "The Official Handbook of The Legion of Mary" called "Legio Mariae". Each member is given a copy of the "Legion Tessera", a leaflet of prayers to be recited daily along with the Holy Rosary .

There are organizations of Juniors, all men, all women or mixed Praesidia. There are active members and auxiliary members. Auxiliary members are sometimes called praying members who undertake to give the Legion the assistance of their prayers. Candidates under 18 years of age can only be received in a Junior Praesidia. Further information regarding membership may be procured from your local Praesidium (branch).

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, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary's and the Church's work of crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the reign of Christ. Members are at the disposal of the bishop of the diocese and the parish priest for any and every form of social service and Catholic action.

FRANK DUFF; Founder of the Legion of Mary: Duff was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 7, 1889. He entered the Civil Service at the age of 18. At 24 he joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul where he was led to a deeper commitment to his Catholic faith and at the same time he acquired a great sensitivity to the needs of the poor and underprivileged. Along with a group of Catholic women and Fr. Michael Dublin Archdiocese, he formed the first praesidium of the legion of Mary on September 7, 1921. From that date until his death, November 7, 1980, he guided the world-wide extension of the Legion with heroic dedication. He attended the Second Vatican Council as a lay observer. His profound insights into the role of the Blessed Virgin in the plan of Redemption, as also into the role of the lay faithful in the mission of the Church, are reflected in this Handbook which is almost entirely his composition.