21/07/2026
Happy 86th Anniversary LEGION OF MARY – PHILIPPINES (July 21, 1940 - July 21, 2026)
One day, in the archives of the Archbishop’s Palace in Manila, a Spanish Vincentian priest, Fr. Manuel A. Gracia stumbled upon a copy of the The Boston Pilot, a Catholic paper published in America. Inserted in its pages was an advertisement of the Legion of Mary inviting readers to try to organize a legion branch in their parishes. Fr. Gracia remembered having been told earlier about this association by another Spanish Vincentian priest, Fr. Agapito Sacristan, CM, then rector of the seminary in Naga, Camarines Sur. He promptly answered the advertisement. Soon, particulars and materials about the Legion of Mary arrived from Dublin, Ireland. Fr. Gracia lost no time in reprinting some of these materials in the Rafagas, official organ of the Sisters of Charity of which he was the editor. Having gathered some adherents, he sought the permission of Archbishop O’Doherty to propagate the Legion.
The first praesidium established in the Philippines was named Purification of Our Lady in July 21, 1940 at the obrador (sewing room) of the Hospicio de San Jose located at the Isla de Convalesencia, an islet on the Pasig river in Manila. Entrance is at the Ayala Bridge. Fr. Manuel Gracia presided the first formal meeting. Purification of Our Lady became the first praesidium in the Far East as well. Initial membership was fifteen. Ms. Joaquina Lucas, then a professor at the University of Santo Tomas, her alma mater, became its first President, and Fr. Gracia, its Spiritual Director.
Later, Fr. Gracia set up another unit in the Hospicio. It was named Visitation of Our Lady. It was composed of Hospicio alumnae except Ms. Pacita D. Santos, who was appointed its President. Ms. Santos was a law graduate from the University of Santo Tomas also. Organized in October 1940, this praesidium had, for its assignments, catering to the spiritual needs of girls in bars and night clubs.
Subsequently, a praesidium of major seminarians was established in San Carlos Seminary, then located on San Marcelino, Ermita. Later it moved to Mandaluyong where Don Bosco Technical School now stands. This was known as Praesidium Sedes Sapientiae. The significance of the title is that Mary, the Seat of Wisdom, is model and patroness of young men studying for the priesthood. Among the members of “Sedes Sapientiae” are the late Bishop Pedro N. Bantigue of San Pablo Diocese, late Msgr. Jesus Arcellana and the late Msgr. Justino Ortiz, who has been the Spiritual Director of Curia Maria Milagrosa.
Another institutional praesidium composed of student boarders of Santa Rosa College in Intramuros was organized. Named the Praesidium of the Immaculate Conception, their President was Victorina Vicente, who later became Mother Mary Therese Vicente, H.F.J.
There being now four existing praesidia, the need for a council to provide them with close supervision was felt. Fr. Gracia and his “devoted assistants and co-workers” Ms. Lucas and Ms. Santos did not hesitate to form it. Arrangements were made and the inaugural meeting was held on February 2, 1941 at the Santa Rosa College library in Intramuros. The seminary praesidium could not send its officers to that meeting, but all the other officers of praesidia, including their Spiritual Directors were present. As in the first praesidium meeting, Fr. Gracia presided at the inaugural meeting of the council which was named Curia Maria Milagrosa. The officers were: Joaquina Lucas, President; Pacita Santos, Vice President; Victorina Vicente, Secretary; and Isabel de Geronimo, Treasurer. Instead being elected by the members, all were appointed by Archbishop O’Doherty – an irregularity which the Concilium Legionis later on allowed under the circumstances. Fr. Zacarias Subinas was the Spiritual Director. Significantly, this council earned the distinction of being the first Curia to be established in the Philippines and in the entire Far East. (Curia Maria Milagrosa later on has been elevated to Manila Comitium)
Source:Bro.Danny Ochoco Senatus of Northern Philippines
