KUCHING — An association of Catholic laity that serves the Church on a voluntary basis, the Legion of Mary Kuching Comitium, held its annual Acies Ceremony at 2.00 pm Sunday, 8 March at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Kuching.
The Acies (a latin word meaning “an army set in battle array”) is perhaps one of the most important and symbolic events in the Legion of Mary and is held nearest to or on the 25 March in conjunction with Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.
With the Covid-19 virus looming in the air, over 200 legionaries braved the pandemic and got together in the renewal of the Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. While statements have been released, advising the sick and the elderly to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus, the turnout was evident of the legionaries’ strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The event began at 2.00 pm with a procession by the officials and members of all the praesidiums under the Legion of Mary Kuching Comitium. After the procession, the legionaries knelt down for the recitation of the rosary followed by an opening address by Fr Nicholas Ng, the spiritual director of the Legion of Mary Kuching Comitium. Fr Nicholas exhorted on the importance of the Acies and the Legion’s devotion to Mother Mary.
For the Legion of the Mary, the Acies has the purpose of renewing and deepening the Legionary’s Consecration to Mary at least once a year. That consecration is at the heart of the Legion’s vocation. A true devotion to Mary means belonging totally to Mary and that nothing is to be held back. This is demonstrated in the Act of Individual Consecration after Fr Nicholas’ opening address where the legionary recites: “I am yours, My Queen, My Mother, and all that I have is yours.”
The Acies ended with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. Before everyone went home, the president of the Legion of Mary Kuching Comitium, Joseph Wong, gave a closing speech thanking Fr Patrick Heng for allowing the Legion of Mary to use the Blessed Sacrament Church for the Acies. He also thanked the organising praesidia, Our Lady Undoer of Knots and Our Lady Cause of Joy, for making sure the Acies carried on without a hitch.
Legion of Mary, Kuching Comitium
