History of Legion of Mary

Legion of Mary is a lay apostolate association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis.

It was established on 7th September 1921 in Dublin, Ireland (Dublin, Ireland is still the headquarters of the Legion), with its first meeting having seventeen (17) Catholics. Among them were only two men; a priest by name Rev. Fr. Michael Toher, Frank Duff the founder and fifteen women. They wanted to work for the poor through members’ spiritual development and advance the course of the Gospel through our Lady.

Legion of Mary was brought to Africa in 1933 to South Africa and Nigeria. In 1940 an SVD Priest, Rev. Fr. Adolf Noser brought the Legion to Ghana, where it started at Derby Avenue, Accra.

Legion of Mary at Corpus Christi Parish

Legion of Mary was re-established at Corpus Christi in 2010 by Rev. Fr Francis Amenuvor. Currently, there are two praesidia of Legion of Mary at Corpus Christi Parish. These are: Mary Mother of God praesidium, which meets on Saturdays after morning Mass at the church; and Mother Most Chaste praesidium, which meets on Sundays after second Mass at the St Augustine’s meeting room.

Objectives of Legion of Mary

• The aim of Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary’s and the Church’s work of crushing the head of the serpent and advancing the reign of Christ.
• It also aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus. Legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.

The current executives are;

Mary Mother of God Praesidium

• President - Bro. Stephen Amoah Boateng
• Secretary - Sis. Cecilia Hood
• Treasurer - Sis Cecilia Hood

Mother Most Chaste Praesidium

• President - Bro. Victor Kufalor
• Vice President - Sis. Philomena Ohenewaah
• Secretary - Sis. Joyce Ekuful
• Treasurer - Sis. Victoria Prempeh

Number of Members

The active members of the Mother Most Chaste Praesidium on one hand are ten (10), whilst its auxiliary members are eight (8). The active members of Mary Mother of God Praesidium on the other hand are twelve (12) with five (5) auxiliary members.

Criteria for admission

The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics who:

• are faithfully practise their religion
• are animated by the desire to fulfil their role in the Church’s apostolate through membership of the Legion
• are prepared to fulfill each and every duty which active membership of the Legion involves.

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