Legion of Mary to celebrate 90th anniversary

The Legion of Mary, an association of ordinary lay Catholics originated with its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland on September 7, 1921. A full fledged organisation in the Catholic church serving under its authority it is at the complete disposal of the church in its sacred mission to its people all over the world.

Since September 7, 1921 the Legion of Mary has expanded its services and has earned the appreciation of the church of its work and has obtained the full approval of the Popes at different times.

The work of the Legion of Mary stands out today as one of the best lay people's organisations working in the mission of the church all over the world. The church has proclaimed its full appreciation of the work of the Legion of Mary.

From its origin in Ireland in 1921, the Legion of Mary has been a significant lay organisation spread worldwide. It has played a leading role in the apostolic activity of the church in every country and set the seal of its strong missionary work.

Working with the hierarchy in all these countries it has earned the support of the bishops, priests and other members of the clergy in all the activities it has carried out.

The Legion of Mary in its expansionist program came to Sri Lanka in 1935 when the late Rt. Rev. Dr. J. A. Guyomar OMI, Bishop of Jaffna impressed by the work of the Legion of Mary in Madras introduced the legion system to Jaffna through the late Fr. J. A. Rajanayagam OMI, parish priest, St. Anne's Church, Jaffna who then set out on his mission to introduce the Legion to Jaffna, promoting the growth of what the Legion in Jaffna is today, serving the people of the North and sustaining it.

A powerful supporter of the Legion of May was bishop Emmilianus Pillai.

The first unit of the Legion of Mary - or the first praesidium - was launched in the parish of Kotte by Rev. Fr. Z. Dabrera on January 9, 1938. Thereafter Rev. Fr. A. Brennan set up a praesidium at St. Philip Neri's Church, Pettah.

Tradition has it that the late Fr. Peter Pillai had met the founder of the Legion in Rome, the late Frank Duff who had given him a copy of the Legion Bible - The Great Legion Hand Book.

When Fr. Peter Pillai returned to Sri Lanka he was anxious to get the Legion started, and he handed over the responsibility to Rev. Fr. Brennan who had just been transferred from Jaffna to Pettah.

The Legion of Mary lost no time in spreading the Legion all over country and it reached out to the faithful in all three languages Sinhala, Tamil and English.

It moved into the diocese and parishes seeking to reach out to people to keep the faith alive and help the church in all missionary activities. It has worked in close union with the parish priests and has been always at the disposal of the church to reach out to the faithful.

During the past 75 years the Legion has performed various activities in Sri Lanka and has been serving the church. The Legion of Mary will honour the establishment of the worldwide Legion of Mary in its 90th year and the Legion of Mary in Sri Lanka in its 75th year of service.

The Senatus has called upon all its Councils to organise a period of Prayer all over the country in thanksgiving to Our Lady in its 75th year.

It is proposed to have a Mass of thanksgiving with his Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. Legionaries of all three language groups are due to participate.

All Legionaries should rally round the Legion and make this a worthy thanksgiving of 75 years of Legionary service.

- Quentin Fernando