Glorifying God Through Holiness and Service
Join the Legion of Mary’s Mission.
A Century of Faithful Service
Over 100 years of dedication to the Catholic Church and the Holy Trinity through a zealous devotion to the Blessed Mother.
International Catholic Association
Unite with a worldwide community devoted to serving God.
Path to Holiness
Grow in sanctity through prayer and collaboration with Mary and the Church.
Active Cooperation
Participate in Mary’s and the Church’s vital work to bring glory to God.
About the Ministry
The Largest Lay Apostolate Organization
The Legion of Mary is the world’s largest lay apostolate organization. Its primary purpose is to bring personal sanctification to its members and to lead others into a closer relationship with Jesus through Mary and His Church on earth. The Legion's mission is to glorify God through the holiness of its members, developed by prayer and active cooperation. Under ecclesiastical guidance, the Legion participates in Mary’s and the Church’s work of overcoming evil and advancing the reign of Christ.
The Spirit of the Legion
The spirit of the Legion of Mary is that of Mary herself. The Legion aspires to her profound humility, perfect obedience, angelic sweetness, continual prayer, universal mortification, spotless purity, heroic patience, heavenly wisdom, self-sacrificing and courageous love of God, and above all, her faith—a virtue uniquely found in its fullest extent in Mary and unsurpassed by any other.
To become a Legionary is to join Mary’s Army of Angels and Legionnaires. Legionaries strive to honor their great heavenly Queen through their loyalty, virtues, and courage. The Legion of Mary is organized on the model of an army, inspired by the ancient Roman army. However, the army and the weapons of Mary’s Legionaries are spiritual, not of this world.
The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, a term originally used by the Romans to refer to a detachment of the legion tasked with special duties, such as a section of a military line, a fortified post, or a garrison. Each praesidium is named after a title of Our Blessed Lady (e.g., Mother of Good Counsel), one of her privileges (e.g., The Immaculate Conception), or an event in her life (e.g., The Visitation).
A praesidium meets every week, following the procedures outlined in Chapter 18, Order of the Praesidium Meeting, of the Legion of Mary Handbook. Each praesidium has its own officers—President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer—and a priest as Spiritual Director.
St. Michael Catholic Church has five praesidia:
- Mary Help of Christians, adult English
- Meets Mondays at 7pm, alternately via Zoom and in person at the St. Michael Convent, 2nd Floor, Legion of Mary room (Saint Cecilia room)
- Contact Ricardo Echon, 925-223-7790
- Mother of Good Counsel, adult English
- Meets Tuesdays at 7:30 pm in person in the Conference Room (next to the Adoration Chapel) and also via Zoom
- Contact Joel Bautista, 925-216-3213
- Estrella de la Manana, adult Spanish
- Meets Wednesdays at 8 pm in person at the church's Family Room
- Contact Irene Moore, 925-493-1335
- Mother of Mercy, youth English
- Meets Fridays at 4:30 pm in person in the Conference Room (next to the Adoration Chapel)
- Contact Erleene Echon, 925-223-7791
- Our Lady of Fatima, youth English
- Meets Fridays via Zoom
- Contact Elizabeth Bautista, 925-980-2932
* For Zoom meetings, please contact respective praesidia representatives.
Each praesidium is governed by a higher body called the Curia, which comprises multiple praesidia within a region. The next level of hierarchy after the Curia is the Comitium, a group of curiae. Both the Curia and Comitium are lower councils that report to a Senatus, typically the highest council within a country. In regions without a Senatus, a lower council called the Regia is established. The highest governing body of the Legion of Mary, to which all Senatus councils worldwide report, is the Concilium Legionis, based in Ireland, the Legion's founding country.
All the English praesidia at St. Michael's are under the Queen of Peace Curia, which is under the Oakland Comitium and the San Francisco Senatus. Below are diagrams showing the coverage of the San Francisco Senatus (not updated) and all the Senatus and Regia in the US.
Works of the Legion
The Legion of Mary is dedicated to living out our faith and inviting others into communion with Jesus, our King, and His Kingdom on earth, the Church. Our works are a testament that encountering Jesus transforms lives, inspiring us to share His message of love and redemption.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, like Mary after her fiat, we respond eagerly to God’s call. Mary made haste to visit Elizabeth, and we, too, are driven to carry out the will of God through our actions in conversion, conservation, and consolation.
Conversion
We reach out to those seeking a deeper union with God, regardless of their faith background. Our mission is to evangelize and guide lapsed Catholics and seekers of truth, peace, and love towards a closer relationship with God.
Works include but not limited to:
- Door-to-Door Evangelization (Home Visitations)
- Pro-Life Evangelization (sidewalk counseling at abortion clinics)
- Promoting Catholicism (at fairs, farmers' markets, community events, etc.)
- Dissemination of Catholic Literature (at bus depots, train stations, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc.)
Conservation
We aim to renew and invigorate the faith of Catholics, drawing them nearer to God. By encouraging family participation in prayer and service, we strengthen the bonds within our community.
Works include but not limited to:
- Adult or Youth Faith Formation Support (teaching or assisting on CCD, OCIA groups)
- Organizing and Leading Bible or Faith Study Groups (home-based small groups, church facility-based, or online)
- Sacramental Preparation Support (assisting in preparing candidates to receive sacraments of baptism, confirmation, or marriage)
- Assist in Parish & Diocesan Faith Enrichment Events and Initiatives (seminars, retreats, parish missions, conferences, exhibits, etc.)
Consolation
We visit the sick, homebound, and those who suffer, bringing them the Good News of Christ. Through our presence and God’s love, we offer comfort and solace to those in need.
Works include but not limited to:
- Nursing or Care Facility and Hospital Visits
- Visitation of People at Institutions of Any Kind (jails, mental ward, retirement homes, handicapped facilities, etc.)
- Eucharistic Ministry Home-bound Support (bringing communion to the sick and shut-ins)
- Recruiting Members for Parish Organizations
Programs
Most people are unable to make a pilgrimage to Fatima. Our Lady, with characteristic humility and love, overcomes this difficulty by reversing the process. She becomes the Pilgrim. Instead of making a pilgrimage to her home in Fatima, she makes a pilgrimage to your home. This is the heart of the Pilgrim Virgin Home Visitation Program.
Inviting a statue of our Blessed Mother, decorating a pedestal to place her statue, and praying as a family at her feet are all part of a time-honored tradition being practiced by countless Catholics around the world.
When was the program started?
In 1947 when the Bishop blessed two statues of Our Lady of Fatima sending one to the Far East and one to the West, the Ambassadors of Mary was founded and in 1954 began bringing Pilgrim Statues to homes in Chicago. As of 1987, there were 190 statues on pilgrimage in our country. This was the birth of the Pilgrim Virgin Statue program.
Who runs the program?
Locally, the program is facilitated by the Legion of Mary Mother of Good Counsel and Mary Help of Christians praesidia at St. Michael Catholic Church, Livermore, CA. The Legion of Mary is a worldwide organization that evangelizes men, women, and children to promote their prayerful participation in Marian prayers and rituals, spread the knowledge of Catholic faith, history, and practices, and actively work as disciples of the Word of God under the banner and mantel of protection of Our Blessed Mother Mary.
How does it work?
At the pre-arranged time, Legion of Mary members go to the home where the “Pilgrim Virgin” will be enthroned. Attendees recite the Rosary and the Prayers to the Mother of God. The family receiving the “Pilgrim Virgin” must prepare a suitable pedestal or table for Our Mother and commit to praying and seeking her during her visit. At the end of the visitation, which typically lasts a week, Legion of Mary members visit the home again to do a farewell ceremony and take the statue to the next home.
How does the Enthronement work?
Prepare. Before the enthronement ceremony, the family must recite certain prayers to prepare their hearts and homes for the Consecration.
The homeowners must also set an "altar," "throne," or "shrine" where the images can be enthroned. It may be decorated with a cloth, fresh flowers, and candles. If no suitable level area is available, the images may be enthroned and hung on a wall. Ideally, the enthronement should take place in a conspicuous place in a home: a family room, dining room, or where the family and friends gather most frequently.
Receive. A clergy and some Legion of Mary members visit the home at the scheduled time and perform the Enthronement ceremony which typically takes about half an hour.
Live. The family must strive towards holiness seeking the guidance of Jesus and Mary, and renew their Act of Consecration especially on special occasions, e.g., Feasts of the Sacred Heart, Christ the King, Immaculate Concepcion, Anniversary of the Enthronement, anniversary of parents, birthdays, etc. See the FAQ's for more details.
Is there a follow-up to an Enthronement?
Yes, you invite Jesus to share your everyday life as Friend, constant Companion, and King. Family prayer, especially the rosary, is the best. Also, a daily renewal of your Consecration helps keep your Enthronement alive.
What is the daily renewal of Consecration?
It may be prayed as follows: "Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, we renew our pledge today of love and loyalty to You. Keep us always close to Your loving Heart and to the Most Pure Heart of Your Mother. May we love one another more and more each day, forgiving each other's faults as You forgive our sins. Teach us to see You in the members of our family and those we meet outside the home, loving them as You love them, especially the poor and the oppressed, that we may be instrumental in bringing about justice and peace. Please help us to carry our cross daily out of love for You, and to strengthen this love by frequent Mass and Communion. Thank you, Dear Jesus, King and Friend of our family, for all the blessings of this day. Protect us and all families during this day. Help us to live that we may all get to heaven. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us! St. Joseph, pray for us! Our Guardian Angels, pray for us!"
Do we have to say such long prayers?
No! You may say any prayer that comes from your heart such as: "All for You, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary," or "Sacred Heart of Jesus, I give myself to You through Mary," or any other prayer you wish.
What else can I do to make my Enthronement effective? In the home: be kind and loving to others, read scripture, and pray together. Keep flowers or a plant by your images at the "shrine." Candles at the “shrine” may be lit during prayers, if desired. Outside the home: be faithful to Sunday Mass attendance, go to Confession frequently, and receive Holy Communion frequently, especially on First Fridays and First Saturdays. Practice the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy. (Find out what they are!)
How much does it cost?
There is no charge in having the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary enthroned in your home, for this is a service of charity and evangelization. The Legion of Mary even provides an option to print out a high-resolution image for participants. Participants only need to provide a picture frame of their choice.
Event Schedule
- September 7 - Grounded In Holiness: 10th Annual Conference
- August 17 - Oakland Comitium Outdoor Function 2024
- August 24 - Pilgrimage to Star of the Sea Church