The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who serve the Church under ecclesiastical guidance in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Dublin, Ireland, in September 1921. Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church.
The twofold purpose of the Legion is the spiritual development of its members and the advancing of the reign of Christ through Our Lady. Evangelization, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, is a priority for the Legion, hence home visitations. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate, thus projects like feeding programs.
In March 1989, the first LoM praesidium was established in Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows under Msgr. Jaime Mora by Priscilla Pacheco 27 years ago with the name ‘Mary Queen of Peace’, with only four members. Just a year later, that praesidium gave birth to a second, the Immaculate Heart of Mary’. The Mary Queen of Peace praesidium is currently headed by Carol de Jesus while the Immaculate Heart of Mary praesidium is headed by Maney Salem.
A key objective is the spread of Marian Devotion, particularly that of the rosary. So it’s natural that the Legion of Mary leads the First Saturday Devotion with 2000 Hail Marys as well as spearhead the activities of October Rosary Month. The apostolate members also visit Camp Karingal detention center for women, give catechism, and church validation of marriage, baptism and confirmation.
