The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members making it the largest organization of lay people in the Catholic church.
The Legion of Mary has been active in New Zealand since 1933. The New Zealand Senatus currently governs, the Pacific nations of Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and Niue.
M E M B E R S H I P
The two primary classes of Legion Membership are active members and auxiliary members. Active members meet once a week for prayer, planning and discussion, then perform two hours of definite work of service in union with Our Lady. Auxiliary members instead pray the rosary and the prayers of the Legion of Mary (the Tessera) for the intentions of the Blessed Mother and to bolster the efforts of the active members through their prayers. Another degree of membership exists in the Society of Patricians which seeks to build up the religious knowledge of the people, to teach them how to explain themselves and to encourage them to apostleship.
W O R K S
Members become instruments of the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth through a balanced program of prayer and service. Works of the active members include door-to-door evangelization, prison ministry, visitation of the sick or aged, crowd contact, religious education, visiting the newly baptized, RCIA and Pilgrim Virgin Statue rotations. Under the guidance of their spiritual director, Legionaries seek to do great things for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
To find out more, contact a Legion of Mary praesidium near you or send us a message.