KUCHING — Legionaries of Kuching Comitium commemorated the 70th Anniversary of the Kuching Archdiocese Legion of Mary Apostolate since its inception in 1951 and worldwide Centenary Celebration since 7 September 1921. Due to the unprecedented situation brought on by the pandemic, an online celebration was organised.
A live-streamed Thanksgiving Mass was offered to give thanks to God and Mother Mary for the millions of graces received through the years, followed by an Anniversary Celebration hosted online through Zoom which was attended by over 300 legionaries throughout Sarawak. The celebration included an online exhibition where legionaries shared their personal experiences in the Legion of Mary through pre-recorded videos, talks on new norm of active duties by the Singapore Senatus and personal sharings on Legion apostolic works by various praesidiae, curiae and Sibu Comitium.
Archbishop Simon Poh presided the live-streamed Thanksgiving Mass at 9.00 am from St Joseph’s Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Kuching in Malaysia with co-celebrant, Kuching Comitium Spiritual Director, Fr Nicholas Ng. Designated attendees were present, including Kuching Comitium President, Bro. Joseph Wong, all comitium officers and a few representatives from Kuching Curiae, all while strictly adhering to SOPs set by the government.
Unbeknownst to most, this very day on 11 December, is the most important to Legion of Mary—the date when Frank Duff gathered with 15 people and a priest from the Dublin Archdiocese for the first time in Dublin for the first Legion of Mary meeting, on the eve of the birthday of our Lady, thus marking the birth of the first Legion of Mary praesidium.
Today, active and auxiliary (praying) members make up a total of over 10 million members worldwide, making it the largest apostolic organisation of lay people in the Catholic Church.
The very first praesidium in Sarawak, the Stella Maris praesidium was established on the 18 March 1951, on the eve of the feast of St Joseph.
The introduction of the Legion into Sarawak was brought about by two key persons, namely the late Fr Henry van Erp of Kuching Vicariate (known to most as Fr Harry) and the late Sr Luna Periera of Singapore.
Like mushrooms after the rain, Sr Luna Periera’s visit in 1951 sparked the rapid growth of the Legion. To this date, the Kuching Comitium continues to grow with 2600 members strong, both active and auxiliary, in over 100 praesidiae across nine affiliate Curiae covering five parishes (Bau, Serian, Sri Aman, Kota Padawan, Lundu and Kuching).
The influence of our Mother Mary is also spreading into other areas like Sibu, Miri, Limbang, Lawas, Belaga, Bintulu, Marudi and the interior region of Bau, Lundu and Serian. The residents in Sarikei, Bintangor, Kapit and Kanowit are also embracing the spirit of the Legion. With a membership strength of over 5,300 members, both active and auxiliary, the Legion of Mary in Sarawak continues to grow to unprecedented levels.
Legion of Mary Kuching Comitium
