Mary's Song of Praise
Lk. 1:46-55
My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy is his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons forever.
LEGION OF MARY
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Do you want to learn more about the Catholic faith?
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Do you want to enrich your prayer life?
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Do you want to develop close Catholic friendships?
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Do you want to grow closer to Jesus and His Mother?
Then come as a guest to a Legion of Mary meeting! There's no obligation!
What is it?
The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church, with well over 3 million active members worldwide. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members.
The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual.
The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion.
Our praesidium at the Blessed Sacrament Parish is called Mary, Hope of the World.
What does our praesidium do?
Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director named by the pastor. The Legion is, in essence, an extension of the heart and hands of the pastor.
Spiritual works may include: parishioner visitation including the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart; prison ministry; visitation of the sick or aged; distributing Rosaries, medals, Catholic literature in a crowd contact area; provide religious education such as instructing and preparing others to receive the Sacraments; work for youth; and promotion of the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and daily recitation of the Holy Rosary.
How does it work?
Active members meet once a week to pray, to report on and receive a work assignment every Sunday from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm downstairs at the Blessed Sacrament Parish at 3040 Heather Street.
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 regards 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).
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; five 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 re-consecration to Mary, Queen of the Legion held around March 25th, the Annunciation). Auxiliaries are also honored with a special function around September 8th, the birth of Our Blessed Mother.
Who can join?
The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who:
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Are 18 years or older and faithfully practicing their religion.
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Are animated by the desire to participate in the Church's apostolate through membership in the Legion.
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Prepared to fulfill each and every duty which active membership in the Legion involves.
How do I start?
The first step is to be a guest at a meeting of the Legion of Mary. Guests are always welcome and can go on one of the work assignments with an experienced member if they choose.
For more information, please contact:
Anita Suico at 403-903-4134
or download our LEGION OF MARY PDF BROCHURE!