Legion of Mary Handbook

The Legion of Mary Handbook is the official formation text published by Concilium Legionis Mariae. It explains the spirit, structure, prayers, and duties of the Legion and remains the standard reference for members, officers, and spiritual directors.

This page presents the handbook online, chapter by chapter. Read the preliminary sections first for background on the Legion's origins and magisterial foundations, then use the main index below to study membership, the weekly praesidium meeting, apostolic works, and governance of the Legion system.

Legion of Mary Handbook:

Name & Origin	Object	Spirit of the Legion	Legionary Service	The Devotional Outlook of the Legion	The Duty of Legionaries towards Mary	The Legionary and the Holy Trinity
The Legionary and the Eucharist	The Legionary and the Mystical Body of Christ	The Legion Apostolate	Scheme of the Legion	The External Aims of the Legion	Membership	The Praesidium
The Legionary Promise	Additional Grades of Membership	The Souls of our Departed Legionaries	Order of the Praesidium Meeting	The Meeting and the Member	The Legion System Invariable	The Mystical Home of Nazareth
The Prayers of the Legion	The Prayers Invariable	The Patrons of the Legion	The Legion Picture	The Tessera	Vexillum Legionis	Government of the Legion
Legionary Loyalty	Functions	Extension and Recruiting	Objections which may be anticipated	Basic Duties of Legionaries	Duties of Officers of Praesidia	Funds
Praesidia requiring Special Mention	Suggestions as to Works	The Patricians	Cardinal Points of the Legion Apostolate	Go Preach the Gospel to the Whole Creation	The Greatest of These is Love

Formation Topics at a Glance

New members typically begin with chapters on the Name and Origin, Object, Spirit of the Legion, Membership, and the Praesidium. These sections describe who the Legion is, what it seeks, and how a local group is organized. The Legionary Promise and sections on the Prayers of the Legion prepare members for their first weekly meeting.

Officers should study the Order of the Praesidium Meeting, Duties of Officers of Praesidia, and Basic Duties of Legionaries. Chapters on the Tessera, Vexillum Legionis, and the Legion Picture explain the symbols displayed at every meeting. For outreach and parish service, see Suggestions as to Works, the Cardinal Points of the Legion Apostolate, and Extension and Recruiting.

Appendices collect papal letters, extracts from Church teaching, and material on devotions such as the Miraculous Medal and the Rosary Confraternity. Officers may also download the complete handbook in PDF format using the link above for offline study or printing.

Appendices

Handbook index last reviewed July 2026. For questions about local formation or praesidium practice in Tidewater, see the Membership page or contact the Curia.