The Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is a worldwide organization of Catholic men and women that began in Ireland almost a century ago. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in union with Mary, we strive to love and serve God through prayer and spiritual works. Popular 50’s TV celebrity Bishop J. Fulton Sheen praised the Legion, “You swept back about twenty centuries…to do the same sort of thing as Our Blessed Lord did – walking up and down alleys…Your service is dedicated to building up the Church. It’s not just merely devotion to Our Lady; it’s a devotion to Our Lady as the Mother of the Church.” The Legion is modeled on the Roman Legion and emphasizes courage, discipline, loyalty and perseverance in the work of its apostolate.

The St. Mel’s Legion of Mary meets Thursday mornings at 9:00am in the church. At our meeting, we pray the Rosary, give work reports, and receive a new assignment. The Legion promotes the Rosary and endeavors to evangelize the Catholic community through direct contact by going door to door to visit parishioners in their homes. We bring communion to the sick, sponsor monthly Masses at a convalescent hospital and an assisted living facility, and lead classes to study the Scripture and our faith. Annually, we make hundreds of House Calls visits that include handing out parish bulletins, religious literature, rosaries, scapulars, and miraculous medals. We distribute communion to approximately 500 patients, visit the sick, and lead hundreds of Rosaries and Divine Mercy Chaplets. Some members conduct weekly classes in Bible Study, RCIA (adults preparing for baptism), and CFF classes for the religious education of public-school children. Many homes in St. Mel parish have received House Blessings and Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and there are many more to come. Our 176 Auxiliary Members and the Legion’s praying members who do not attend meetings. They offer the Rosary and Legion prayers daily.

If you feel called to this apostolate, please join us at a Thursday morning meeting. We welcome you to join as either an active or auxiliary member. For more information, please call Joyce Savage at 916-342-6179