The Legion of Mary is a lay Catholic organization whose members serve the Church on a voluntary basis in nearly every country of the world. It was founded in Dublin, Ireland by layman Frank Duff in 1921. Today between active and auxiliary (praying) members, there are more than 10 million members worldwide, making it the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church

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 Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members actively participate in the life of the parish through visitations of parishioners and through collaboration in any apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish as directed by the spiritual director.

“Cardinal Suenens wrote: “Today, two currents dominate the life of the Church: the Marian current and the apostolic current.” These two currents meet and blend harmoniously in the Legion of Mary, which has been a providential instrument in the hands of Mary and the Church for the spread of the Kingdom of God on earth.” (St. Louis Marie de Montfort)

“The Legion is an army—the army of the Virgin Most Humble.” (Legion Handbook) Like any army, the Legion is composed of members who are in active service (active members) and those who support the troops by their work and their prayers (auxiliary members). Modeled on a military model, the Legion took its nomenclature from the old Roman legion. Using such Latin terms as Praesidium, Curia, Senatus, etc., gives the Legion a note of universality and unity.

Our local parish unit, or Praesidia, meets on Tuesday evenings for prayer, spiritual study and discussion. Every active member is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary. Works may include home visitations, visits to parishioners in hospitals or nursing homes, instruction of youth, dissemination of literature, and others at the discretion of the spiritual director.

Membership is open to all Catholic men and women, over the age of 18, who feel the call to serve Jesus through Mary.

The auxiliary members of the Legion of Mary are any persons, lay faithful or religious, who are unable to assume the duties of active membership, but wish to support the activities of the Legion through prayer and sacrifice. They promise to recite the prayers of the Tessera daily (Prayers to the Holy Spirit, the rosary, the Catena and the concluding prayers.) The Legion of Mary could not function without the support of its auxiliary members.

For more information or to apply for membership, please contact the church office or any current Legion of Mary member.