A Mass was held to celebrate the anniversaries of three praesidia of Curia Fidelis at St. Teresa’s Church, Prince Edward Road on September 15. The Queen of Peace Praesidium, the Comforter of the Afflicted Praesidium and the Mother of the Church Praesidium had a joint celebration of their 70th, 60th and 50th anniversaries together.
The Mass was celebrated by Father Pietro Paolo Dossi, the current spiritual director of Queen of Peace Praesidium, Father Vincenzo Carboni, its former spiritual director, Father Isaac Noh Hyunchul and Deacon Charles Chu. Over 150 legionaries attended the Mass.
During the Mass, Father Dossi encouraged the legionaires to pray often, especially to say the Catena every day so as to enhance the relationship between themselves and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Dossi said this will enable legionaries to serve others with humbleness and allow the Legion of Mary to sustain with God’s love and mercy. In the meantime, legionaries should make good use of God’s gift to share their faith, especially to those who do not believe in or stay away from God.
After the Mass, a simple cake-cutting ceremony was held. At the same time, some precious items in the past 70 years, including the first report of Queen of Peace Praesidium and the booklet of the first English Curia Acies in Kowloon district, were exhibited.
The Legion of Mary was established by Frank Duff in Dublin in 1921. At that time, Frank Duff told his members that the Legion of Mary had to expand to the whole world. His members laughed for five minutes after hearing what he said. Yet nowadays it is not difficult to find a legionnaire around you. This once seemingly farfetched dream has indeed come true.
Legion of Mary expanded rapidly in Hong Kong since the establishment of the first praesidium and curia in 1949. More than ten Chinese, English and Korean senior and junior curias, with almost a hundred praesidia under each of them, have been established over the past 70 years.
On this day of celebrating our anniversaries, it is hoped that each legionaire will always remember his or her duty, that is to sanctify oneself and others. Let every weekly meeting, prayer, reading, reports of assignments and reflection nurture our hearts, guide us to learn from Mary our mother and have faith in Christ, so that we may spread the gospel of peace and love.
For brothers and sisters who are interested in Legion of Mary and its activties, please do not hesitate to contact your own parish and visit the legion meetings in your parish. Please join us in our spiritual journeys, to model after Mother Mary’s love for God and others.
Queen of Peace Praesidium
