Image: The Legion of Mary is an "Army Set in Battle Array" We are Christ's Army of the "Church Militant", under the banner of Mary, our Commanding Officer, with St Michael and St Gabriel as army generals.
Many thanks to the Jacksonville, Florida Curia for the information on their website, from which this article was taken and edited for Junior Legion of Mary. May God and His Mother continue to bless you for all your good work!
WHAT IS The Junior Legion of Mary?
Perhaps you have never heard of
it. Many have heard of the Legion of Mary but may know very little about the Junior Legion. If you knew more about the
Junior Legion, you might view it differently.
The Junior Legion is an organization for the spiritual development of persons under 18 years of age. Sometimes there may be a subdivision of the Junior Legion, which many refer to as the "Intermediate Legion" for ages 13 to 18 years of age. (Universities and Seminaries have groups, too for the college age students. These are considered Senior Legion of Mary adult groups.) All Legion of Mary groups, both Senior and Junior, are all run basically the same, with the exception of the works, which are maturity- and age-appropriate.
The Junior Legion is an organization for the spiritual development of persons under 18 years of age. Sometimes there may be a subdivision of the Junior Legion, which many refer to as the "Intermediate Legion" for ages 13 to 18 years of age. (Universities and Seminaries have groups, too for the college age students. These are considered Senior Legion of Mary adult groups.) All Legion of Mary groups, both Senior and Junior, are all run basically the same, with the exception of the works, which are maturity- and age-appropriate.
In all younger-aged groups, the
president --and at times the vice-president -- are experienced Senior Legion
of Mary members (adult members). Each group which is called a praesidium, is run under the
guidance of a spiritual director, who is usually a priest or deacon, or in some cases a religious (consecrated) Brother or Sister.
Primarily, the purpose is to train and spiritualize the young members. In a short time they will take their place as lay apostles of Christ doing the work as Senior Legion of Mary members.
Junior Legion of Mary praesidia can be found throughout the entire world. Young members of the Junior Legion have suffered persecution and even death for their faith in some countries.
Primarily, the purpose is to train and spiritualize the young members. In a short time they will take their place as lay apostles of Christ doing the work as Senior Legion of Mary members.
Junior Legion of Mary praesidia can be found throughout the entire world. Young members of the Junior Legion have suffered persecution and even death for their faith in some countries.
Each member must do at least one
hour of work each week. This work is assigned at the weekly meeting which all
members must attend. Junior Legion Praesidia have been found to be valuable in
the work that they do in parishes. Junior Legionaries may teach catechism to
young children, visit the sick and elderly, contact grade and high school
pupils in their homes, and supervise younger children. Intermediate Legionaries may also work doing crowd contact work, such as distributing sacramentals or Catholic literature at fairs, bazaars, parades and other places alongside Senior Legionaries.
In addition many are engaged in helping their parish priests and other workers doing all sorts of things. Work at home also must be done in addition to the weekly assignment. The Spirit of Mary working for the Holy Family at Nazareth should be preserved by each member in the work at home.
In addition many are engaged in helping their parish priests and other workers doing all sorts of things. Work at home also must be done in addition to the weekly assignment. The Spirit of Mary working for the Holy Family at Nazareth should be preserved by each member in the work at home.
What
Benefits Can the Junior Legion of Mary Bring?
TO OUR PARISH: It forms a spiritual army of youth within any parish. Many worthwhile tasks are performed, which would otherwise be neglected. As a consequence, more blessings are earned, more graces are gained, and more souls are saved.
TO OUR YOUTH: A unique opportunity for spiritual growth is given. No other organization offers a daily program of prayer, a weekly work assignment and the discipline of a meeting each week. In crucial years when formation is so essential, the Junior Legion develops confidence and spiritual and mental growth of the personality. Junior Legionaries stand to gain for everything they freely give in service to Mary.
TO OUR CHURCH: Lay Apostles are wanted and needed. A firm spiritual foundation given to our youth will insure a source of supply of Lay Apostles for years to come. As Junior Legionaries, our youth are taught to give to their Church as productive members, rather than to wait for what they can receive. The Junior Legion forms good Catholics now, and better Catholics tomorrow.
If you are interested in joining the Junior Legion of Mary, look for a praesidium (parish group) in your neighborhood.
If there is none, talk to your pastor or youth minister about starting a praesidium. They can get help and information from your diocesan council of the Legion of Mary called a "curia," "comitium," "regia," or "senatus."
The
Raleigh, NC Curia is currently starting several Junior Legion and Intermediate
Legion groups. For more information, send your inquiry to:
lorankinneyb64@nc.rr.com
i ask to translate in tagalog
ReplyDeleteGreat website! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLovely information and website, but one question, can we allow Junior Legion of Mary member to become or acting Tribunal/Spiritual Director for Senior Legion of Mary. Please give me answer in order to clarify it to our Legion of Mary members here in the Solomon Islands.
ReplyDeleteA Junior member (under 18 years of age) is not allowed to be member of a Senior Praesidium(members over 18 years of age). Thus they could not be acting Spiritual Director of the Senior Praesidium. If the Senior Praesidium has a tribune (acting Spiritual Director over the age of 18, appointed by the pastor) he or she could also act as tribune of the Junior Praesidium.
DeleteJim A, thanks for the clear and well explanation. I now understand that this is a challenge when members don't understand the system. Please if i have confusion then i will definitely ask you. Thanks
DeleteDoes it mean then, that a junior member of the junior Praesidium can be a Vice-President.
ReplyDeleteThis has been up for debate many at times as the handbook states that only experience senior Legionaries serve as president and vice president of junior praesidia, but we will noticed that in some parishes around the world, there are instances where by there are limited amount of senior Legionaries to take care of this juniors, in such a case, an experience junior legionary, at least above 16 years of age can assist a senior in organizing the weekly meetings as vice president, but this can only be as a result of lack of a senior member.
DeleteWhat are the challenges of junoir Legionary
ReplyDelete