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What About the the Legion of Mary in New York? |
The New York Senatus includes the Archdiocese of New York as well as the eight other dioceses in New York State and Northern New Jersey. (for more information - click here)
The Legion of Mary holds meetings in English, Spanish, Korean, Haitian, Italian, Vietnamese and Chinese throughout the area.
There are 5,428 active members in 642 praesidia (groups) and 346 active junior members in 48 junior praesidia. Active members meet weekly in their own parish and perform a minimum of two hours of apostolic work each week. Junior members (under the age of 18) perform at least one hour of apostolic work.
Also, we have 35,499 auxiliary members who do not attend meetings but who support the work by their daily prayers, which include the Rosary.
Many members take on Praetorian or Adjutorian membership, which involves, in addition to the regular obligations, daily Mass and Communion and the recitation of some form of Office approved by the Church.
All Legion works are done under the supervision and with the permission of the pastor. Our work consists of direct face-to-face with people with the intent of gently inviting them to go one step higher in their spiritual life. This would include the reception of the sacraments by adults and children, return to the sacraments by those who have been away, the taking on of say, daily Mass for those who all ready attend on Sundays or inviting them to consider taking more active part in the life of the Church as Lectors, Ministers of the Eucharist, CCD teachers, etc. Non-Catholics who are interested are offered information on the Church. Some subsequently ask for instruction in the Faith and are referred to the parish priest who sometimes will ask the Legionaries to carry out the instruction.
During the last year works done were as follows:
Home Visits 95,827
Hospital Visits 37,829
Nursing Home Visits 33,799
Jail Visits 496
Pilgrim Virgin 4,804
Bookbarrows 558
The following results are known:
Conversions 307
Returns to the Sacraments 561
1st Communions (adults/children) 945
Baptisms (adult and children 1,364
Marriages validated 100
Confirmations 607
The Legion of Mary also sponsors retreats and days of recollection in parishes.
Many Legionaries have entered the priesthood and the religious life and many serve as deacons. Recently a junior legionary has become a Missionary of Charity.
The Legion has three persons whose causes for canonization have been introduced – the founder of the Legion, Servant of God Frank Duff, Venerable Edel Quinn and Servant of God Alfie Lambe.
We hope that we will be able to continue to be of service to Our Blessed Lord through His dear Mother and to His Church in the New York Archdiocese. Please keep us in your prayers and be assured of ours always.
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