Legion of Mary celebrates 100th anniversary
SALT LAKE CITY — The Legion of Mary, a worldwide apostolic organization comprised of lay men, women and youth who offer their services to pastors, this year is celebrating its centenary.
In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, members of the Legion of Mary gathered on Oct. 16 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the organization. They started the evening praying the rosary with Bishop Oscar A. Solis, followed by a Mass at which the bishop presided. Concelebrating were Father Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; and Monsignor Michael Winterer, a retired priest of the diocese.
The Legion of Mary was founded on Sept. 7, 1921 in Ireland. It now has a unit, called a praesidium, in about 170 countries. Due to scheduling conflicts, the celebratory Mass in the Diocese of Salt Lake City was postponed until Oct. 16.
At the beginning of the Mass Bishop Solis asked all the members of the Legion of Mary to stand up so they could be recognized by the others in the congregation.
The Diocese of Salt Lake City has four active Legion of Mary praesidiums. These groups are based at the parishes of St. James the Just in Ogden, St. Francis Xavier in Kearns, St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Midvale and St. Ann in Salt Lake City.
As the members of the Legion of Mary stood, those present at the Mass in the cathedral erupted in a round of applause.
Giving a brief history of the organization, Bishop Solis said the vision of the founder, Frank Duff, “was to offer concrete ways for Catholic lay people to live out the Gospel, supported by prayer, friendship and a trust in the Holy Spirit, under the patronage and protection of Mary.”
The Legion of Mary is a great example of how to put faith into action, the bishop continued.
“They who work and serve as disciples of Christ, who share their faith, and with the spirit of prayer especially under the devotion of our Holy Mother, ask for her intercession in order to get closer to Christ,” he said.
With the love and service that the Legion of Mary members offer to others, “they become the heart and love of Christ serving all his people,” the bishop added.
At the end of the Mass the members of the Legion of Mary congregated at the altar to receive Bishop Solis’ congratulations.
“It feels so good to have our bishop [celebrating] here today with us; it is just wonderful,” said Liz Potts, a member of the Legion of Mary from St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish.
That sentiment was echoed by Betty Lopez, a member of the Legion from St. Ann Parish.
“I never expected this to happen, so for me it’s wonderful. I feel that I can stand and say ‘yes’ again,” she said.
According to the organization’s website, “the general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose.”
The Legion of Mary has been approved by the last six popes, and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council.
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