Legion of Mary

Legion of Mary

Do you want to learn more about the Catholic Faith?
Do you want to enrich your prayer life?
Do you want to develop closer Catholic friendships?
Do you want to grow closer to Jesus and His Mother?
Then come as a guest to a Legion of Mary meeting!
There’s no obligation and it may change your life.

Go to your local Traditional Roman Catholic Chapel for meeting schedules and places.

The Legion of Mary is an organization of Catholics ages 13 and older, who strive for the expansion, glory, and exultation of Holy Mother Church.

OPENING PRAYERS
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Ghost, didst instruct the hearts of the faith faithful, grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ Our Lord.

V. Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips.
R. And my tongue shall announce Thy praise.
V. Incline unto my aid, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, etc.
R. As it was in the beginning, etc.

Then follow Five Decades of the Rosary with the Hail! Holy Queen

V. Pray for us, O holy mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

V. Most Sacred heart of Jesus R. Have mercy on us.
V. Immaculate Heart of Mary R. Pray for us.
V. St. Joseph R. Pray for us.
V. St. John the Evangelist R. Pray for us.
V. St. Louis Marie de Montfort R. Pray for us.

In the name of the Father, etc. (only during Legion Meetings)

CATENA LEGIONIS

Antiphon. – Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the Sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

My soul + doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath done great things for me, and holy is His name.
And His mercy is from generation from generations to them that fear Him.
He hath showed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant: being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Antiphon. – Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the Sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

V. O Mary conceived without sin.
R. Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ our Mediator with the Father, Who hast been pleased to appoint the Most Blessed Virgin, Thy Mother, to be our Mother also, and our Mediatrix with Thee, mercifully grant that whosoever comes to Thee seeking Thy favors may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

In the name of the Father, etc. (only during Legion Meetings)

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

V. Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces
(or Invocation appropriate to Praesidium) R. Pray for us.
V. Saint Michael and Saint Gabriel R. Pray for us.
V. All ye Heavenly Powers, Mary’s
Legion of Angels R. Pray for us.
V. Saint John the Baptist R. Pray for us.
V. Saints Peter and Paul R. Pray for us.

Confer, O Lord, on us, who serve beneath the standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in Thee and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of Thee, and ever to see Thee and serve Thee in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils, and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for God and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion’s Pillar of Fire – to lead us forth united – to enkindle everywhere the fires of Divine Love – to enlighten those who are in the darkness and in the shadow of death – to inflame those who are lukewarm – to bring back life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the Way of Peace, so that – the battle of life over – our Legion may reassemble, without the lost of any one, in the Kingdom of Thy Love and Glory.
May the souls of our departed Legionaries and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

St. Therese of Lisieux Novena Prayer

St. Therese of Lisieux Novena Prayer

St. Therese, the little flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore and tell him I will love Him each day more and more.

(The above prayer, plus 5 Our Father’s, 5 Hail Mary’s, 5 Glory Be’s, must be said on 5 successive days, before 11 A.M. On the 5th day, the 5th set of prayers have been completed, offer one more set - 5 Our father’s , 5 Hail Mary’s, 5 Glory Be’s.)

THE ADVENT WREATH

Information on the Advent Wreath taken from, Religious Customs in the Family, published by, Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.


THE ADVENT WREATH
This charming symbol connected with the season of Advent has not only found its way into America, but has of late been spreading so rapidly that it is already a cherished custom in many homes. People seem to welcome it with eager delight wherever they are introduced to this “new” custom. Actually, it is centuries old, although not as old as most other Christmas traditions.
The Advent wreath originated a few hundred years ago among the Lutheran population in Eastern Germany. It seems to have been suggested by one of the many light symbols which were used in folklore at the end of November and beginning of December. At that season of the year our pre-Christian forefathers began to celebrate the month of Yule (December) with the burning of lights and fires. The Christians in medieval times kept many of these light and fire symbols alive as popular traditions of ancient folklore.
In the sixteenth century, somebody conceived the fortunate inspiration of using such lights as a religious symbol of Advent in the houses of the faithful. This practice quickly spread among the Protestants of Eastern Germany and was soon accepted by Protestants
and Catholics in other parts of the country.
The Advent wreath is exactly what the word implies, a wreath of evergreens (yew or fir or laurel), made in various sizes. It is either suspended from the ceiling or placed on a table, usually in front of the family shrine.
Fastened to the wreath are four candles [three purple, one pink] standing upright, at equal distances. These candles represent the four weeks of Advent.
Daily at a certain time (usually in the evening), the family gathers for a short exercise of prayer. Every Sunday of Advent one more candle is lit until all four candles shed their cheerful light to announce the approaching birthday of the Lord. Before the prayer starts, all other lights are extinguished in the room and only the gentle glow of the live candles illuminates the darkness.
The Advent wreath has no direct connection with the liturgy of the Church. It is not a sacramental, the Ritual contains no special blessing for it, and the Church has never officially proclaimed its symbolism.
Catholic families may have the wreath blessed with a general blessing given by the priest if they so wish (Benedictio ad omnia). A special liturgical blessing could be given to the candles, since the Church provides such a blessing (Benedictio candelarum).
The traditional symbolism of the Advent wreath reminds the faithful of the Old Testament, when humanity was “sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79); when the Prophets, illumined by God, announced the Redeemer; and when the hearts of good people stood in flame with the desire for the Messias. The wreath itself symbolizes the “fulfillment of time” in the coming of Christ and the glory of His birth. (The wreath is an ancient symbol of victory and glory.)
After some prayers, which are recited for the grace of a good and holy preparation for Christmas, the family sings one of the traditional Advent hymns or a song in honor of Mary. In some sections of Europe, it is customary that persons with the name of “John” or “Joan” have the first right to light the candles on the Advent wreath and the Christmas tree, because John the Evangelist starts his Gospel by calling Christ the “Light of the world,” and John the Baptist was the first one to see the light of Divinity shining about the Lord at His baptism in the Jordan.
It is hard to picture the wonderful memories which such a daily custom in Advent evokes in the hearts of those who enjoyed its inspiration in their childhood. Somehow these holy moments of prayer and prayerful song before the lights of the Advent wreath exert an influence in later life which seems out of proportion with the simple ceremony.* Actually, it is not, of course; for to this practice of family prayer with its beautiful symbolism apply the words of Christ: “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20). You had Christ in your home when you were a child. This is the brilliant truth that makes such a simple tradition so meaningful.

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*It is now customary for the candles to be lit thus: first week (one purple candle)-by youngest child; second week (the first purple candle plus another purple candle)-by oldest child; third week (first two purple candles plus the pink candle)-by the mother; fourth week (all four candles)-by the father. The Advent wreath prayer for the week is the Collect or Prayer from the Sunday’s Mass. This can simply be followed by the grace before the evening meal. See Appendix 2.-Publisher, 1998.


-Appendix 2-
(Added by the Publisher, 1998.)
Father: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who hath made Heaven and earth.
Father: Let us pray. O God, by Whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
He then sprinkles the wreath with holy water.
The following prayers are said during each week before the evening meal.
THE FIRST WEEK
The first purple candle is lighted by the youngest child and left burning during the evening meal.
Father: O Lord, stir up Thy power, we beg Thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and be saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
THE SECOND WEEK
The first and second purple candles are lighted by the oldest child during this week.
Father: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare the ways of Thine only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
THE THIRD WEEK
The first two purple candles and the pink candle are lighted by the mother during this week.
Father: O Lord, we beseech Thee, incline Thine ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
THE FOURTH WEEK
All four candles are lighted by the father during this week.
Father: O Lord, we beseech Thee, stir up Thy power and come; and with great might deliver us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

THE NICENE CREED

THE NICENE CREED

I Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God; Light of Light; true God of true God. Begotten not made; of one being with the Father; by Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was made flesh by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: AND WAS MADE MAN. He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascending into heaven, He sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is no less adored, and glorified: Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come. Amen.