THE LEGION OF MARY

The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin, on the 7th September 1921.  The main purpose of the Legion is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members.  The Legion is made up mainly of lay people who give of their service to the Church on a voluntary basis.  Works include door to door and parishioner visitation, visiting the newly baptised, hospital visitation, Pilgrim Virgin statue rotations and meeting the other spiritual needs of the parish community.  The Legion becomes an extension of the hands for the priest in the parish. In a time of decreasing numbers to our priesthood the work of the Legion is a valuable asset in any parish.  

The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion.  Anyone wishing to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium.
Miss Agnes Carroll of the Carrick Road and Miss Ellie Stoane of the Avenue Road, Dundalk, started the Legion of Mary in Dundalk in 1935.
At present the Legion of Mary House is in Quay Street, Dundalk.
The Dundalk Curia has nine Praesidium four in Dundalk and five outside the town, Kilsaran, Stabannon, Stone town and Louth.  Our Lady Queen of Peace meetings are held each Monday night in the Legion House at 7.30 p.m.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help meetings are held each Tuesday afternoon in St. Gerald’s Hall, on St Alphonus Road at 2.30 p.m.  Our Lady Queen of Ireland meet each Monday in the Legion House at 10 a.m. while Our Lady Queen of Angels meetings are held in the Holy Family Church Muirhevnamor, each Monday at 7.30 p.m.
The work the Legion carry out in the Dundalk area is as follows: House to house visitation, hospital and nursing home visitation, hostel visitation, rosary groups, giving talks in the schools, helping out in the Simon shelter, also parish pilgrimages to Knock and Lough Derg.
Some members are ministers of the Eucharist and the Word.  They also help out in the Church when required.
If you are interested in becoming a member you can contact our Spiritual Director Fr. Mark O Hagan C.C. in St. Patrick’s or by writing to the President Mrs Maureen Murphy at the Legion of Mary, Quay St, Dundalk.