Legion of Mary - Immaculate Heart of Mary Curia

02/09/2026

LEGION OF MARY @105 | From the Association of Our Lady of Mercy to the Legion of Mary

Following a Pioneer Council meeting at Myra House during the summer of 1921, some members of the Council, including Duff, decided to hold a special meeting to discuss de Montfort’s book. This meeting took place in August 1921, probably on the 14th or 21st of that month. Based on the knowledge he had acquired, Duff was in a position to explain the True Devotion to those present. Mary’s role was far greater than the ‘lawful’ devotion accorded to her in the Catechism. It was through Mary that Christ came into the world and through her that humankind continues to receive Christ.

At the Pioneer Council Meeting on 28 August, visitation of the Union Hospital, a hospital for the poor in the care of the Sisters of Mercy, was discussed. The ladies of the Council agreed to undertake this work and a special meeting to consider the details of the work was planned. The nuns in the Union Hospital would have two Masses a month said for those who were going to visit the hospital. Over the following month four meetings were held and the Association ‘placed itself under the patronage of Our Lady of Mercy’.

One of these meetings marked the beginning of the organization that in 1925 would become known as the Legion of Mary. According to Duff, a report by Matt Murray at a Pioneer Council meeting was the catalyst for the start of what would become the Legion. Murray described ‘a visit paid by him and another brother that very morning to the Dublin Union’, strangely enough to the women’s hospital, where at the time it was not customary for men to visit. When the formal meeting concluded, two of the young women present asked why they could not undertake similar work.

When it was clear that six women present would be interested in the work, a meeting was fixed for the following Wednesday, 31 August, and it was suggested that others might be invited if they were interested. This meeting was preliminary to what in retrospect has been identified as the first meeting of the Legion of Mary, which took place on Wednesday, 7 September in Myra House and at which the officers of the Association were appointed. That first group grew to around 70 members until the second group was started in July 1922.

Frank Duff, A Life Story by Finola Kennedy
CHAPTER 6 | The Legion of Mary Begins

02/09/2026

LEGION OF MARY @105 | Dublin, Ireland: The Birthplace of the Legion of Mary

As we begin our 9-day countdown to the 105th Founding Anniversary of the Legion of Mary on September 7, we look back at where it all began.

In 1921, Dublin was a city shaped by political turmoil during the Irish War of Independence, severe economic hardship, and stark social divisions. Amidst these challenges, mainstream society and church structures often overlooked the most vulnerable—including the homeless, the destitute, and s*x workers.

It was in this very climate of deep physical and spiritual need that Servant of God Frank Duff and a small group of Catholic women gathered at Myra House on September 7, 1921. Guided by faith and profound compassion, they sought to bring Christ’s love directly to those on the margins, giving birth to a global lay apostolic movement that continues to serve souls around the world today.

Join us as we prepare our hearts through prayer and reflection for this milestone anniversary!

02/09/2026

With deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of Rev. Fr. Maximo S. Pangilinan, Parish Priest of Saint Joseph Parish, General Aguinaldo (Bailen), Cavite.

A faithful shepherd, devoted servant, and loving spiritual father, he dedicated his life to proclaiming the Gospel and serving God’s people.

May the Lord, whom he faithfully served throughout his priestly life, welcome him into the joy of eternal life.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. 🤍🙏

02/09/2026

19/08/2026

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗔 𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘 🙏

Let us offer our prayers for the safety of our family and our community as we continue to face the storm and habagat. Together we pray for the protection of everyone.

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗔 𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘 🙏

Let us offer our prayers for the safety of our family and our community as we continue to face the storm and habagat. Together we pray for the protection of everyone.

19/08/2026

LEGIOknow | The Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary

The Handbook, which Duff wrote, describes the organization and its manner of functioning. It explains that the root of the Legion is the basic Christian duty of serving one’s neighbour. The Handbook was written based on ‘what was in existence’.

It sets out the details of Legion organization and explains Legion spirituality. Duff completed the first version of the Handbook in the late summer of 1928, and it was printed for private circulation.

When the earliest version of the Handbook became available in 1928, a copy was sent to Archbishop Byrne with a request for an imprimatur so that its compliance with the faith and morals of the Roman Catholic Church could be acknowledged and the book could be circulated publicly.

The position then was that, eleven years after the founding of the Legion, no diocesan approval had been granted either for the organization or for the Handbook. The Legion of Mary organization had finally gained diocesan approval in Dublin, but the Dublin imprimatur for the Handbook would not be granted for a further two years.

The earliest imprimatur for the Legion Handbook was given by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Mannix, in May 1934. The first edition of the Handbook to be printed with the imprimatur of the Archbishop of Dublin is dated 7 March 1937. The nihil obstat is that of Michael L. Dempsey. This indicates that a document has been examined by the censor, in this case Dempsey, and nothing has been found to stand in the way of an imprimatur, or of granting permission to publish.

Ultimately, the Handbook serves as the foundational guide and spiritual cornerstone of the Legion of Mary. By preserving the movement's core identity, establishing official Church alignment, and outlining uniform practical guidelines, it ensures consistency and spiritual fidelity across every praesidium worldwide.

Reference: Frank Duff: A Life Story by Finola Kennedy

19/08/2026

BROTHERS AND SISTERS: MEMBERSHIP IN THE LEGION OF MARY

While the Legion originated as an organization for women, who retain a place of honor within its structure, it serves as an equally effective foundation for men. Established in 1921 with female membership, the movement welcomed men in 1927 following the opening of the Morning Star Hostel. By December 1929, the first two male praesidia, ‘The Morning Star’ and ‘Our Lady of Knowledge’, were formally affiliated with the Central Council.

Remarkably, during an era when women faced widespread exclusion from both civic employment and Church voluntary work, women within the Legion exercised pivotal roles of leadership and authority from the outset. Furthermore, the expansion into the Americas, Africa, and China began through male praesidia.

Members of the Legion of Mary are addressed by the title of “Brother” or “Sister” solely for the purposes of its apostolic work. Depending on pastoral needs and upon the approval of the Curia, members may be organized into men’s, women’s, boys’, girls’, or mixed praesidia.

Today, active membership in the Legion of Mary is open to all practicing Catholics who are dedicated to fulfilling the Church's apostolate of bringing Christ to the world and are prepared to discharge every duty required of its members.

12/08/2026

𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥
Servant of God Frank Duff

"We must love her distractedly. We must catch a glimpse of her immensity. We must unite ourselves to her in all our actions, and in spirit live inseparably with her."

12/08/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

(Make the Sign of the Cross)
v. My soul glorifies the Lord.*
R. My spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.

v. He looks on His servant in her lowliness;* henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
R. The Almighty works marvels for me.* Holy His name!

v. His mercy is from age to age,* on those who fear Him.
R. He puts forth His arm in strength* and scatters the proud-hearted.

v. He casts the mighty from their thrones* and raises the lowly.
R. He fills the starving with good things,* sends the rich away empty.

v. He protects Israel His servant,* remembering His mercy,
R. The mercy promised to our fathers,* to Abraham and his sons for ever.

v. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

v. O Mary, conceived without sin.
R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, our mediator with the Father, Who has been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Your mother, to be our mother also, and our mediatrix with You, mercifully grant that whoever comes to You seeking Your favours may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.