The Legion of Mary (Legio Mariae) is a worldwide organisation of praying and working believers. The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolate of Catholics and aims to work from the animated spirit of Mary. To this end, Mary Immaculate Conception is the central element. The members of the legion are inspired by the faith and love of Mary. They find strength in their devotion to Mary to do their work. The aim of the Legion of Mary is to bring Mary to people. This is expressed in personal servitude to move people towards the Catholic faith, with the aim of them experiencing their lives as devoted believers. The spirituality of the Legion of Mary is based on the devotional viewpoint of the French Catholic priest Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716), namely dedication to Jesus Christ THROUGH Mary.
The Legion of Mary was founded in Ireland on 7 September 1921, on the eve of the feast of the Nativity of Mary. In 1927, the Legion expanded beyond the Irish capital, Dublin, and the following year it spread beyond Ireland. By 1930, the organisation was active in many countries, with established strongholds in India and Latin America, among others. In 2021, the Legion of Mary therefore celebrates its centenary. The founder of the organisation is Frank Duff (1889-1980), a devout Catholic man. From a young age, he was a member of a St Vincent de Paul Society, through which he dedicated himself to helping the poor and needy. Frank Duff frequently read writings about Mary by Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. This contributed to a growing devotion to Mary within him. Frank Duff realised that, in addition to material needs, there was also spiritual need among people. Furthermore, he was of the opinion that the clergy, such as priests, could not dedicate sufficient attention to this. Because of this vision, he started a lay organisation that operates in addition to the work of the clergy.
The praying members of the Legion of Mary are called “auxiliaries”, working members are called “legionaries” and a unit is called a “presidium”. Governing bodies are called “senate” and the main governing body is called “Concilium Legionis”.
The worldwide organisation of the Legion of Mary has succeeded not only through the commitment of founder Frank Duff and its millions of members, but especially also through the extensive work of the Praesidium Officer Mary Quinn (1907-1944) in Africa. Quinn received a solid Christian upbringing in her younger years, and her organisational talent also became apparent then. She felt a calling to the contemplative, religious life. In 1927, Quinn joined the Legion of Mary. In 1936, she went to Africa as a missionary of the Legion of Mary and was particularly active in Kenya. During her working life, Quinn was seriously ill multiple times due to tuberculosis, malaria, and pleurisy. Besides Praesidium Officer Mary Quinn, the Irishman Alfie (Alponsus) Lambe (1932-1959) was also of great importance to the Legion of Mary, being especially active in South America.
The praying members possess a handbook of daily prayers. After all, they pray every day. They can also visit the elderly, the sick, and people with difficulties. Visits are made to people's homes or to those residing in nursing and retirement homes. The working members meet weekly to pray together and to prepare and carry out activities. All members help people with spiritual and material needs, doing so alongside the work of clergy. Works are carried out after approval by a bishop or pastor.
In the early years of the organisation's existence, many girls and young women were rescued from crime and prostitution. Through the establishment of “Sancta Maria Houses,” these young people were able to build a new life for themselves. Members of the Legion of Mary also helped the poor in such a way that they could start a new chapter in their lives.
On the standard of the Legion of Mary, there is a dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Below this is written “Legio Mariae” with an image of Mary and beneath that a globe. The underlying thought is that the Holy Spirit, Mary and her children will save the world.
The Legion of Mary is active worldwide in approximately 170 countries and has around 5 million active members and 8 million praying members. It is the largest lay organisation in the Catholic Church. The head office is located in the Irish capital, Dublin. In 2014, the Legion of Mary was recognised by the Vatican in Rome as an official lay association, namely as an International Association of the Faithful.
