Our History
In October 1934, the Legion of Mary was established in Trinidad and Tobago in the Parish of St. Patrick’s, Newtown, Port-of-Spain, where it was introduced by Rev. Fr. T.M. O’Neil O.P., who carefully nurtured the first Praesidium “Our Lady Assumed in to Heaven”. A steady increase in membership led to the formation of a second group “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, with influence spreading throughout the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Works such as the visitation of the homes of Catholics, encouraging the lapsed to return to practice of the Faith and have their children baptized, visitation of sick persons in their homes and in hospitals, as well as Catechetical instruction, were undertaken.
There was great enthusiasm in the early days among members of the Legion, and apart from their spiritual works, which by then included the Enthronement of Homes to the Sacred Heart and a Rosary Crusade, duties of a social nature were undertaken. Legionaries visited and showed religious films to members of visiting ships at the Mariners’ Club. During the war years, when the U.S. Armed Forces occupied the North-west peninsula (Chaguaramas), there was liaison with a Praesidium which was functioning there. The dissemination of Catholic literature was done by the sale of this from Book-barrows placed on the sidewalks of the city, and through operation of the De Montfort Catholic lending Library. A Breakfast Shed was established. Later on legionaries worked at the Ozanam Night Shelter for destitute men, under the administration of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Male legionaries engaged in visitation of the Prisons and worked among young offenders. This work is still undertaken. Fishermen of Matelot were assisted by the launching of a self-help project.
Members of St. Patrick’s youth praesidium with their spiritual director and parish priest, Fr. Nicholson.
In the Sixties/early Seventies, Junior Praesidia were set up in many Catholic Secondary Schools and in some of the Primary Schools. Seminarians were enrolled as Auxiliary members, and assisted with the work wherever possible. Twenty-five years of Legionary service were celebrated in 1959 by an open-air Mass on the grounds of the Holy Name Convent in Port-of-Spain, when the Junior Legionaries acted out the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary.
The affairs of the Legion had been administered by a governing Council called the Comitium. In 1981 this body was elevated to a Regia with responsibility for the overall administration of the Legion in 21 other Caribbean territories. This led to the appointment of an extension worker for the Caribbean, and Sr. Helene Pollonais, a past president of the governing body, was selected to carry out such work. She has already given two years of invaluable service in this assignment. The Legion of Mary in Trinidad and Tobago celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass on 7th October 1984 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and has deemed the ensuing year — JUBILEE YEAR.
Legion Of Mary Regia POS T&T
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Works we do as legionaries
In September 2000 the Concilium Legionis Mariae revised its list of approved works. The following is based on those 35 suggestions. These suggestions are just examples and are not all-inclusive. We have categorized them and modernized the terminology. You can see that the works are substantial and active. Mere attendance at events, services, or prayers is active, but no matter how substantial, do not fulfill the active work requirement. Needless to say, works must be done in pairs (or more) whenever possible.
A. Conversion/Evangelization
- Home visitation door-to-door.
- Crowd contact work, (Examples: Book barrow, fairs, park rosaries, flea market booths, etc.) but must be done by two or more and be promoting religion and/or the Legion. If items are sold, it must be without profit.
- Side walk counseling in front of abortion facilities, but NOT picketing. Work must be done in pairs in a non aggressive manner.
- Distribution of Catholic literature at bus depots, train stations, hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, etc.
- PPC, exploratio dominicolis, Sunday search for souls, etc
B. Conservation/Instruction
- Organizing and conducting instructions for children and adults; such as, RCIA, CCD, etc., as long as no pay is involved.
- Lecturing by Legionaries for right-to-life at schools, workshops, etc.
- Preparing people to receive the Sacraments, including marriage
encounter type training - Setting up and/or teaching Bible studies.
- Probation counseling for delinquent children.
- Counseling children or adults for substance abuse.
- Follow-up on children or adults seen in prison or juvenile facilities.
C. Consolation
- Home visition other than door-to-door.
- Nursing home and hospital visits
- Visitation of people in institutions of any kind – jails, mental wards,
group homes, retirement homes, handicapped facilities, etc. - Communion for the sick and shut-ins (but not serving at Mass.)
- Recruiting members for parish organizations (however work for other
organizations cannot be counted as legion works. - Home visition other than door-to-door.
- Nursing home and hospital visits
- Visitation of people in institutions of any kind – jails, mental wards,
group homes, retirement homes, handicapped facilities, etc. - Communion for the sick and shut-ins (but not serving at Mass.)
- Recruiting members for parish organizations (however work for other
organizations cannot be counted as legion works.)
D. Para-liturgical Events – Religious Services
- Conducting para-liturgical services when no priest is available.
- Promoting Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and conducting
enthronement exercises. - Leading Rosary or wake services as funerals (if assigned by
praesidium.) - Organizing and promoting the Pilgrim Virgin Statue.
- Organizing Rosary Groups and teaching how to make Rosaries.
- Organizing and leading holy hours or all-night adoration. (Again: The mere attendance at such events, no matter length of time, does not constitute active work.)
E. Works of Service
- Transporting those in need to church, doctors, shopping, etc. (Be sure to
check is if this permitted by your parish and/or diocese.) - Baby sitting (without pay) so parents or care-givers or other family
members (not your own family) can attend church, shopping, doctors, etc. - Conducting youth clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
- Serving dinners for funerals (if assigned, and especially if no one else is
available.) - Preparing homes of the blind or sick for visitation by the priest.
- Setting up and/or leading retreats, days of recollection, or evening of
reflections, primarily for auxiliaries. - Service in soup lines (the Legion is not to provide the food.)
F. Legion Promotion – Extension and Recruiting
- Visiting priests to urge starting a Praesidium.
- Invitation Drives.
- Recruiting Auxiliaries.
- Visitation (after care) of Auxiliaries.
- Training a new Praesidium.
- Staffing and promoting Patricians.
- Serving as officer for Juniors (if in a senior Praesidium.)
- Contacting auxiliaries or shut ins by phone. (This work should be done by
those who are not able to do more active work.)
Any other works requested by the pastor that does not involve regular collection of
funds or material aid.
Excepions are made for the elderly and/or handicapped. Whatever they are capable
of and find challenging may be assigned
Approved work as legionaires