The Legion of MaryLEGION OF MARY
MARY, OUR LADY OF TENDER MERCY PRAESIDIUM
The Legion is a lay apostolate whose goal is to offer God glory under Mary's banner. Active members meet Mondays at 9:30 am in the day chapel. Auxiliary members are praying members who support spiritually the active Legionaries who assist the pastor in the life of parish and community. Active work is done in pairs and includes such work as visiting the sick and homebound, prayer activities, catechesis, rosary-making, the taking of a parish census, etc., completed on a weekly basis.
Contact: Ms Kay Hurley,775-0165 or kayhurley1120@hotmail.com.
1. SCOPE: The Praesidium is an apostolate of active and auxiliary members engaged in spiritual and corporal works of mercy for the parish. A spiritual director, our Pastor, serves as advisor and director of the Legion's Catholic Action.
2. PURPOSE: Operating under the general direction of the Legion's international governing body, the Concilium, and the guidance specified in the official handbook of the Legion, the Praesidium is at the disposal of the Pastor for any and every form of service deemed suitable to the legionaries and useful for the welfare of the church. The call of the Legion is for service without limit or reservation and includes sanctification of its members, a sharing in the parish's pastoral work and in evangelization.
3. FUNCTIONS: Active legionaries attend a weekly meeting and accept spiritual assignments which are audibly reported upon at the next meeting. Prayers, spiritual readings and Legion business complete the meeting. Auxiliary legionaries assist the active members by praying daily the Tessera (official Legion prayers). They form the praying army of the Praesidium. Active Legion assignments fulfill such apostolic activities as:
a) Visiting, in pairs, and praying with parishioners in six (6) nursing homes in the Danbury area on a weekly basis.
b) Praying the Rosary with nursing home groups in three (3) facilities each week.
c) Visiting and praying weekly with Saint Joseph and Saint Marguerite parishioners at Danbury Hospital.
d) Prayerfully supporting the Rosebud Petitions requested by parishioners.
e) Supporting parish devotions such as Monday evening Holy Hour, daily Rosary for peace, and liturgical year functions.
f) Teaching Religious Education classes at Saint Joseph School and Saint Marguerite parish center.
g) Making coverlets for Warm-Up America.
h) Distributing rosaries to children, service personnel, homebound, and nursing home parishioners.
i) Sponsoring the Living Rosary.
j) Sponsoring book barrows.
k) Supporting church and school functions.
l) Welcoming new parishioners.
4. ORGANIZATION & MEMBERSHIP: The Saint Joseph Praesidium currently has twelve (12) active members and 32 auxiliary members. Officers include a President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer. The Legion hierarchy includes the Boston Senatus (chief governing body), the Waterbury Curia (local governing body) and the Concilium in Dublin, Ireland (international governing body). Legion candidates serve a three (3) month probationary period in which all prescribed duties are performed. When accepted, the candidates make the Legion Promise to the Holy Spirit during the weekly Praesidium meeting.
5. SCHEDULE:
a) Praesidium meetings: Weekly: Each Monday. 9:30 11:00 AM.
b) Curia meetings: Second Tuesday of each month for the Praesidium officers.
c) The Praesidium sponsors religious devotions in conjunction with the liturgical calendar, e.g., Divine Mercy Sunday, Brown Scapular Enrollment, Rosaries for Confirmation and First Communion, etc.
d) On the Feast of the Annunciation, all Legion members assemble in a sacred and solemn religious ceremony in which they renew their consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mother.
e) In the Fall, the Waterbury Curia sponsors a pilgrimage to the Lourdes shrine in Litchfield, Connecticut to honor Mary, our patron.
METHOD OF FINANCE: There are no dues. The "secret bag" is circulated at each weekly meeting to receive voluntary contributions to support the work of the Praesidium. All operational expenses are borne by the legionaries themselves.
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