Legion of Mary Blog

In June of 2007 the Legion of Mary held a Conference for Priests. Here is a copy of the Report for Concilium Meeting 17th June 2007 on Conference for Priests May 2007.

A Conference entitled: The New Evangelisation: Priests and Laity - The Great Challenge of the New Millennium, which was organized by the Concilium Legionis Mariae, particularly for priests, was held on Tuesday to Thursday, 22-24 May 2007, at Emmaus Retreat Centre, Lissenhall, Swords, Co. Dublin. About 110 priests participated, many for the whole Conference. Concilium officers and some other legionaries also took part. The high point of each day was the concelebrated Mass, with well-prepared Liturgies and beautiful musical accompaniment. Most Reverend Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, was Chief Celebrant and Homilist on Tuesday evening. His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Vatican, was Chief Celebrant and Homilist on Wednesday at noon and His Eminence, Ivan Cardinal Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Vatican, was Chief Celebrant and Homilist at the Mass which closed the Conference at noon on Thursday.

The Conference started off on a high note with an inspiring address by Archbishop Martin. He began by thanking the Legion of Mary for this affirmation of priests and spoke of his contact with the Servant of God Frank Duff. He said that there is no Church without the Eucharist and spoke of Mary as the Mother of priests. Among the many comments after the talk, one priest said that legionaries are the extension of the hands of the priest. Monsignor Joseph Murphy from the Secretariat of State, Vatican, spoke on Priests and Laity in the Church’s Mission. He said that only in Christ do we find true joy and that Christianity must present itself as the Religion of Truth and Love. He also said that Mary is the image of the Church. Dr. Finola Kennedy spoke on What the Priest means to the Lay Apostolate. She spoke of how bishops and priests, such as António Cardinal Riberi and Fr. Aedan McGrath, SSC, in China, Bishop James Moynagh in Nigeria, and Fr. Manuel A. Gracia, CM, in the Philippines had known how to use lay people in the Legion. She thought it would be good to have the Patricians in every parish. On Tuesday evening, Fr. Owen Gorman, a priest from the Clogher Diocese, and three legionaries, Liam Hayden, Dublin, Mary Mulpeter, Raphoe Diocese, and Bernardo De Nardo, Legion Envoy to Asia, were members of a panel, in which they addressed Challenges facing the Irish Church today. These included: Mass attendance, Vocations, Family Life, and preaching on moral matters.

Wednesday opened with a talk, stressing the importance of being optimistic, by Fr. Bede McGregor, O.P. Concilium Spiritual Director, and Postulator for the Cause of The Servant of God Frank Duff, on the Priest and Laity – the Vision of Frank Duff. He spoke of Frank Duff’s profound reverence for the Priesthood and said that he spent his life trying to get people into Heaven. This was followed by another encouraging talk, this time by Fr. Breandán Leahy, Professor of Dogmatic Theology, Maynooth College, who gave an example of turning hostility into acceptance. Cardinal Arinze gave a very informative talk, not lacking in humour, on The Specific Roles of the Priest and of the Lay Faithful in the New Evangelisation. He said the new Evangelisation is not new in its content but in its fervour and methods. He said that about 17½% of the world’s population is Catholic. He went on to define who are the Lay Faithful, saying that the proper area of apostolate for lay people is to give witness in worldly activities, such as in the family, in parliament, in radio and T.V. and in Universities. He went on to speak of the role of the priest and the manner of celebrating Mass. Following his talk, there were many comments and questions, some on the Liturgy and certain practices in the ministry and apostolate. The Cardinal was accompanied by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, who, in a short address, urged everyone to love the Church. Most Reverend Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, was present also that day and in thanking the Cardinal for his talk, spoke about asking the Holy Spirit to empower lay people to stand up and speak up in the secular sphere. He also spoke about welcoming people from other countries into Ireland.

Later, in a session entitled: Witnesses to the Faith, Síle Ní Chochláin, spoke on the Servant of God, Frank Duff; Noel Lynch on the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe; and Fr. John Hogan, Meath Diocese, on Venerable Edel Quinn. All the talks were very helpful. In his talk, Fr. Hogan mentioned Edel’s joy and he said that in Ireland we need more joy. That day closed with a joyful Social Evening with Ceol agus Craic. There was no shortage of musical talent among the priests.

The third day of the conference opened with a striking address by Cardinal Dias. He spoke out of his own experience on True Devotion to Mary in the life of a Priest. He said Mary can make happy and holy priests. He spoke of the many Marian Shrines in the world, and of the manifestation of the miraculous medal by Our Lady to St. Catherine Labouré and referred to the use of the medal by the Legion. He spoke of the battle between good and evil and said that “Mary is gathering together her legion – you are a part of it – to combat the devil.” He also said “Be convinced of the victory of Christ through Mary”.” He recommended that priests help each other through a simple form of fraternity.

In Testimonies on the Laity in Action, Fr. Paul Churchill, Vice Officialis, Marriage Tribunal, Archdiocese of Dublin, spoke on How the Legion can help me in my parish. He mentioned the personal support for the priest which the Legion gives. Fr. Gerard Deighan, Lecturer in Scripture, Milltown and Mater Dei Institutes, spoke on Mary, Cause of our Joy. He said that Mary mediates every grace, she brings us joy. Mary’s outstretched arms are an invitation to gather around her. Declan Lawlor spoke on My Experience of the Legion. He spoke of how important the Legion is in his life and in his profession as a Solicitor. Fr. Pádraig Ó Cochláin, Chaplain, Marino Institute of Education, Archdiocese of Dublin, made the call: “Let us start the new evangelisation of Ireland”. In the afternoon Cardinal Dias along with some priests and legionaries paid a visit to the grave of Frank Duff in Glasnevin cemetery and there recited the Prayer for his Beatification. It seemed fitting that the Prefect of the Pontifical Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples should stand in prayer at the grave of a man who spent his life working for that.

There was a very happy spirit in evidence at the Conference. It was a memorable event and great credit is due to the Concilium officers for organizing it.